A year of asinine actresses, bare-bottomed bongos, curious car washes, dunderheaded deejays, elongated enchiladas, furious filmgoers, Gore goofs, huge hydrants, ice in demand, jettisoned Jagger, kooky Kansans, lecherous legislators, misinformed McDonald's, newsmaker nuts, odorous ocelots, promiscuous passengers, questionable quizzes, ridiculous recipes, speedy sports-team owners, traveling toilets, ubiquitous underwear, vapid vegetarians, wrong W-2s, x-ported x-ecutioners, Y2K y'all, and zaftig Zellweger.

Various specimens of that celebrated species, the Texas woman, captured on film by photographer Annie Leibovitz, who used to be one herself.

A fraternity, a bid-night party, a random act of violence, an unnatural end: the life and death of Southwest Texas State University junior Nick Armstrong.

In this corner, convicted rapist Tony Ayala of San Antonio—once a rising star of pro boxing, now an ex-convict on the road to redemption. And in this corner, his past—the toughest opponent he's ever faced.

The changing of the calendars marks the start of the presidential campaign (this time we really mean it), and George W. Bush is still the favorite to win.

Texas A&M, November 26, 1999.

Can Houston's SuperStand become the Barnes & Noble of magazines: an upscale national chain of superstores catering to affluent, educated consumers? Read all about it.

How the West was fun: Scenes from the making of Bull-Fighter, an independent film I produced in South Texas.

Dick Lane got to be the best pool player in Texas history by tirelessly honing his technique. Now he wants to improve the sport he loves—but it's a long shot.

For an ideal long-weekend destination, try this dusty
artists colony 25 miles south of Santa Fe. It's a New
Mexican version of Marfa—only a fraction of the
size.

Américo Paredes.

Judith Ivey's drawl recall.

One family's racket.

Hooray for Hollywood's All the Pretty Horses.

How a ruling by a Texas judge could put the issue of gun control back in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Houston Grand Opera tells a long, long story about love, hate, and a problematic potion. Plus: Austin takes note of the state's hottest Latina performers; Dallas and San Antonio direct themselves into the film spotlight; Port Arthur sings "Happy Birthday" to its most famous daughter; and Dallas gets keyed up about a recital by Radu Lupu.

To Sir, with love: Why Doug Sahm was my hero.

A Mexican food fight; Amarillo's values.

"Deer diary, tonight I had a wonderful venison stew from Hudson's on the Bend outside Austin . . . "