The 1995 Bum Steer Awards

A year of amorous angels, bra buzzers, camouflaged Claytie, denied Davidians, escaped evangelists, faulty flags, gainful gangs, hefty hypnosis, inmate inedibles, jumbo jock-straps, kaput killdeers, lunching Lassie, mercurial mushrooms, nabbed ninjas, overhyped O.J., pumpkin purloiners, questionable quizzes, rap ruffians, sexy sprinters, tack taxis, unappreciated universities, videotaped villains, wayward Willie, X-sposing X-ministers, Yammering Yankees, and zero zippers.

Is MCC Obsolete?

Twelve years and hundreds of millions of dollars later, the vaunted Austin high-tech consortium is still struggling to find its purpose.

by Helen Thorpe

Breaking the Bank

Gambling became a way of life for young Josh Levine. When he got in too deep, he came to believe that only a holdup could get him out.

by Alex Hecht

Barry Switzer Gets the Last Laugh

The rookie Cowboys coach has turned out to be exactly what all the critics said he wasn’t: a winner.

by Bud Shrake

Brush With Fame

As a curator and in his own work as a painter, Jerry Bywaters left a lasting legacy of Texas art.

by Anne Dingus

Closing the Circle J

A final farewell to the Hill Country spread that for more than thirty years meant everything to me and my family.

by Robert Draper

Behind the Lines

The Gate-Crashers

by Gregory Curtis

Business

Critter Bidders

High-tech meets down-home in Texas’ latest ranching trend: a video auction of emus, elk, and other exotic animals.

by Anne Dingus

Politics

Big Talker

Jailed right-wing Dallas radio host Tom Donahue protests he’s a political prisoner. The IRS says he’s a crook.

by Glenna Whitley

Travel

Latin Beat

Music and dance define Veracruz, the city with the stongest coffee and the freshest seafood in Mexico.

by Joe Nick Patoski

Music

Fast and Loose

Bugs Henderson doesn’t lhave an “act” — he’s simply one of the best blues guitarists around.

by John Morthland

Reporter

Straight Arrow

The new Ways and Means chairman, Bill Archer, takes aim at the federal budget.

by Paul Burka

Reporter

Texas Crude

A Dallas animation team creates caroons that would make even Beavis and Butt-head blush.

by Dan Michalski

Reporter

The Truck Stops Here

Dorsett 221 near Buda is the place where a driver is always king of the castle.

by Helen Thorpe

Roar of the Crowd

Criminal Connections

Recipe

Paella With Saffron Rice

State Fare

by Patricia Sharpe

State of the Art

Santa Clara Corn Dancer, 1994

State Secrets

When Bush Comes to Shove

by Paul Burka