Drug Lord

There are three secrets to Miguel Felix Gallardo’s multimillion-dollar empire of drugs and power. Corruption, corruption, and corruption.

by Drew Jubera

I’ve Been Rich and I’ve Been Poor

The fond memories of hard times of a postboom oil heiress.

by Dunya Bean

Hold the Ants!

From smoked chicken salad to Kahlua s’mores, our summer picnic sampler has a spread for you.

by Catherine Chadwick

The Best and the Worst Legislators

We just rate them. You voted for them.

by Paul Burka, Kaye Northcott, Ellen Williams and Emily Yoffe

¡Arriba! Lou Diamond Phillips?

This former Mr. Flour Bluff High School has what Hollywood wants—ethnic diversity.

Donald Curry vs. the World

All boxers are wary in the ring, where defeat is only a well-placed punch away. But Donald Curry knows that the real terrors of boxing lie beyond the ropes.

by Drew Jubera

Behind the Lines

Getting ahead.

by Gregory Curtis

Travel

Go Up, Young Man

These tall office towers, observatories, and revolving restaurants offer inspiring vies of Texas’ cityscapes.

by Joe Nick Patoski

Food

Sorry, Mom

Even your mother can’t top Rex Hale’s light-as-a-cloud shortcake.

by Alison Cook

Movies

New Age Cyrano

While Roxanne is steeped in friendliness, Summer Heat is full of humid clichés; Personal Services is too pleased with itself, but The Big Easy has a hang-loose, big-spender quality.

by James Wolcott

Books

Oil Gluttons

Getty Oil dropped into the market like raw steak into a bay full of sharks: Oil and Honor clarifies the waters. Beverly Lowry keeps the pages turning in her deft and racy roman à clef. The Perfect Sonya.

by Jan Reid

Classical Music

Singing All the Way

Mary Jane Johnson and Timothy Jenkins live in Amarillo, but they’re at home in the world’s great opera houses.

by W. L. Taitte

Reporter

Texas Monthly Reporter

Not much happened at the Legislature, but that doesn’t mean they left no traces. Plus: Houston’s I’m OK, We’re OK Wortham bash, unlikely Texas TV stars, and Frank Lorenzo’s flight to cushier climes.

by Alison Cook

Roar of the Crowd

Coot sightings, judgment calls, AIDS awareness.

The National Tour of Texas

Back from the Gulf and along its coastal bend, picture-book towns offer scenes that have nearly vanished from urban Texas, not to mention the most confusing sign, the best noontime stop, and the most Shakespearean site.

by Dick J. Reavis

Puzzle

Readers’ guide.

State Secrets

Fort Worth factions fight over expanding the zoo; Galvestonians derail a tourist trolley; Mattox’s political plans go awry.

by Patricia Kilday Hart

Rex Hale’s Shortcake