“The Trick Is Not to Act Like a Lawyer.”

So says Rusty Hardin, Houston’s defense attorney of the moment—the latest in a long line of courtroom heroes guilty of premeditated flamboyance and charisma in the first degree.

by Pamela Colloff

Scenes From A Mall

And not just any mall. The Marq*E Entertainment Center is a marvel of marketing: a teen-friendly hangout where kids from all over the city flock to shop, flirt, skateboard, and otherwise act their age.

by Katy Vine

Hi, Society!

How did a girl from Harlingen become Houston's hostess with the mostest? Sweetie, Becca Cason Thrash has always been the life of the party.

by Skip Hollandsworth

Welcome to the Neighborhoods

We wanted to see what the real lives of real people looked like, so we knocked on doors at random from Pasadena to Sharpstown. We said, "Please." They said, "Cheese." Here's what we came back with.

Pueblo Nuevo

When I moved to Houston two years ago, I was expecting little in the way of Hispanic culture. Who knew it was such a good city for Latinos—better, even, than San Antonio?

by Cecilia Ballí

My Kind of Town

The Bank of America Center and 24 other things I love about Houston.

by Suzy Banks

Behind the Lines

Keep the Change

Houston, we don't have a problem.

by Paul Burka

Politics

Race of Races

Who will succeed Brown as the mayor of Houston? He'll probably be black or Hispanic, but he could be White.

by Patricia Kilday Hart

Media

Pro vs. Chron

How the new editor of the Houston Chronicle is trying to turn the page on the paper's past.

by Evan Smith

Environment

Prairie Dogma

Birders and their allies want to preserve the vanishing grassland of the farm and ranch country west of Houston, but time is running out.

by Joe Nick Patoski

Art

Peter's Principles

Some people look at Houston and see only rough edges. Peter Marzio, the director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, sees a brash upstart that should be proud of its cultural riches.

by Michael Ennis

Food and Drink

Melting Pots

Serving three of Houston's immigrant cuisines—Indian, Japanese, or Vietnamese—these restaurants put culinary adventure on the menu.

by Patricia Sharpe

Reporter

Miracle Workers

The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center is put under the microscope.

by Jim Atkinson

Reporter

Reliant Stadium

Tackling the ins and outs of Reliant Stadium.

by Joe Nick Patoski

First Person

Sheila Jackson Lee

Sheila Jackson Lee can take the heat (but not pulled pork).

by Evan Smith

Pat’s Pick

Pats Pick

by Patricia Sharpe

Pat’s Pick

Bookshelf

by Stacy Hollister

Pat’s Pick

On The Road

by Eileen Schwartz

The Last Roundup

Yesterday Street

My West University Place.

by Kinky Friedman

Cityscape

Art director Scott Dadich and photographer Artie Limmer drove all over town, took photos of residents, and created a snapshot of Houston.

Mission Possible

Senior executive editor Paul Burka talks about this month's special issue on Houston.

Our Town

Lauren Anderson, Robert Mosbacher, Sr., and other local celebrities share what they love about Houston.

Interview by Lindsey Stanberry

Texas Ties

Texas Ties

by Patricia Busa McConnico

Texas History 101

Rice University makes for an interesting history lesson.

by Stacy Hollister

Texas Tidbits

In a state of big, Houston is at the top.

by Cody Ramsey

Happy Trails

Houston is famous for its cultural arts scene and myriad restaurants, but it's a great place for animal lovers too.

by Tiffany Welsh

Hugo’s Camarones al Mojo de Ajo

This recipe for shrimp sautéed in a garlic-and-chipotle-flavored oil will get your mojo working.

by Patricia Sharpe

Pork Chops

Pears stand in for the traditional accompaniment of apples in this pork chop recipe. Hot sauce gives it a proper Texan touch.

by Patricia Sharpe