How my grandfather’s death affected the town of Wharton—and me.

As long as she spends most of her free time on a ranch outside Fredericksburg, Madeleine Stowe may never become, by Hollywood’s definition, a successful actress. And that’s fine with her.

Coming of age in Odessa and Midland.

What he learned about himself at Andover and Yale.

Those rumors you’ve heard about him are true. Sort of.

How his one and only loss shaped his view of politics.

His days as a “loyalty thermometer” in the nation’s capital.

Why he was a hit running the Texas Rangers.

He’s irreverent and unself-conscious, and that’s not all.

An exclusive portrait of the nascent Bush campaign.

From antique benches to cast-iron planters, a selective guide to the yard art of your dreams.

A special report on the presidential front-runner who isn’t running—yet.

Why Wimberley is not Columbine.

Nearly three years after attorney Steve Davis’ body was found, his family still doesn’t know how he died. Thanks to an out-of-court settlement with Comanche County, they probably never will.

The Town Lake soccer fields in Austin, shopping at Kathleen Sommers in San Antonio, sunsets in Big Bend: Good-bye to all that and (sniff) a whole lot more.

Like the coffee and pie in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, the Arlington-based fanzine Wrapped in Plastic is damn fine.

They’re a major nuisance in rural Texas— but, boy, do they taste good.

Horseman, Pass By

CDs by the Jiménez brothers, the Old 97’s, and Lee Hazlewood; books by Joni Rodgers and Scott Zesch.

Is Phil Gramm out of gas (and oil)?

How the war in Kosovo turned an Austin online company into the Lone Star State Department.

Piano men—and women—play around at the Van Cliburn Foundation’s amateur night (Fort Worth). Plus: An aquarium you simply have to sea (Galveston); George Bush, the exhibit (Fredericksburg); Cowtown’s sesquicentennial (Fort Worth); and surf’s up…on the wall (Corpus Christi).

Which Américo Paredes book was made into a movie starring Edward James Olmos?

From Tila’s in Houston: three Mexican appetizers that are, well, appetizing.