The 1986 Bum Steer Awards

The 1986 Bum Steer Awards A year of altered antlers, bunkum bars, cloddish coaches, defoliant diets, enervated elephants, filched flamingos, gunshot guitarists, haywire holidays, intoxicants’ incentives, jejune judges, kissing K-9’s, lousy lobster, and misdirected Michener.

A Trust Corrupted, A City Betrayed, Part One

The Hermann estate scandal exposed Houston’s most powerful deal makers, most respected philanthropists, and leading lawyers to the harsh glare of publicity. It was a shocking lesson in the abuses of power.

by Harry Hurt III

A Caribbean Escape

From luxury class to no-plumbing primitive, the Technicolor tropics of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula offer end-of-the-world delights. And it’s practically in our back yard.

by Barbara Rodriguez

Making Peace With Grandfather

The man I knew as Bompie had been a public figure, but my father had always seemed ashamed of what he had done to achieve his fame. Finally I found out why.

by Vance Muse

Western Art: Future Farmer

An interpretation of a classic genre.

by Regan Dunnick

Texas Primer: The Grand Champion Steer

Tastes in livestock are as whimsical as tastes in fashion. This year petite is in.

by Suzanne Winckler

Behind the Lines

A monument to everything money can buy.

by Gregory Curtis

Art

Rauschenberg Relics

In the current Rauschenberg exhibit at Houston’s Contemporary Arts Museum the artist finds his first thirty years a tough act to follow.

by Michael Ennis

Environment

Invasion of the Killer Beetles

When southern pine beetles attack a Texas forest, there are only two cures: cut the trees down or let nature take its course.

by William Booth

Classical Music

No-shows and Great Shows

The only excitement of the Dallas Opera season came from a couple of fortunate gambles, while the Houston Grand Opera triumphed by bringing Faust alive for contemporary audiences.

by W. L. Taitte

Movies

Me Redford, You Streep

Out of Africa is lavishly done up but emotionally dehumidified; Young Sherlock Holmes is more Hardy Boys than Conan Doyle; Revolution is nothing but a megabucks disaster.

by James Wolcott

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

A splendid state park; snacks you shouldn’t feed to a dog; a wild and crazy Republican.

by Alison Cook

Roar of the Crowd

The Roar of the Crowd

Examining the bar; spreading the Word; minding the store; demanding the best.

State Secrets

Mark White’s insurance policy; not all semiconductor dumpers are Japanese; betting on a lottery; Tom Loeffler’s odd ads.

Edited by Paul Burka

Touts

A few thoughts for Valentine’s—coming through soft and clear.

by Patricia Sharpe

Puzzle

The pick of the flicks.

Back Roads

For a singing telegram with a little something extra, just call the Hip-O-Gram Girls.

by Peter Applebone

Downtown

The Dallas Citizens Council has a new look, but it’s singing the same old tune.

by Jim Atkinson

Post-Modern Times

In a Twilight Zone-like pocket near UT there are some kids who aren’t ready to grow up.

by Michael Ennis