Thirty years ago, people couldnt believe it: The old man’s elixir boosted crops, ate up sewage, and made the desert bloom. Today half a dozen Texas companies claim the elixir does all that and a whole lot more.
Tom Curtis
Articles by Tom Curtis
Jul 31, 1990 — By Tom Curtis
As the Mega Borg blazed, the Gulf absorbed the toxic oil spill.
Apr 30, 1990 — By Tom Curtis
The mysterious Texan who tried to take over Austrailia’s mighty Bond Corporation last January look good on paper-but paper was about all he had.
Jun 30, 1989 — By Tom Curtis
Jim Wright’s attorney Steve Susman is living proof that clients may lose, but lawyers don’t.
May 31, 1989 — By Tom Curtis
Triple threat: Scientists fret that an underground nuclear dump will pollute the Pecos; surveyors set off a storm over the center of Texas; cities sweat safety risks from stolen aluminum.
Apr 30, 1989 — By Tom Curtis
Houston mayoral candidate Fred Hofheinz has an incumbent and a rumor to defeat; Phil DeVries has a singing caterpillar to find; Zavala County must make a private prison pay its way; and Lori Johns is out to prove she’s the best woman on the drag strip.
Apr 1, 1989 — By Tom Curtis
Windsurfers add sparkle to Corpus Christi Bay; the Johnson family says a poignant farewell to one of its own; the golden arches attain alpine heights—but come crashing down in Houston.
Apr 1, 1989 — By Tom Curtis
When the St. Johns returned to their house after having it sprayed for bugs, they discovered why those friendly pest-control people are called exterminators.
Dec 1, 1988 — By Paul Burka and Tom Curtis
The newest threat to Houston mayor Kathy Whitmire is an old face; an investigation of an acid leak turns sour; a Texas congressman may take over the banking committee.
Nov 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis
The resurrection of a former “see-through” office building. How a land developer diversified—into jaguars. And secrets of the “vultures” who buy up, fix up, and fill up troubled Houston apartments.
Nov 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis
An entrepreneur captures customers in public rest rooms. A high-tech plant moves from oil to medicine. Space and biomedical manufacturing are finally off the drawing boards. And a former union boss becomes a bingo mogul.
Nov 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis
Engineer Saba Haregot’s love affair with Houston (it’s not just all those job offers). How natural gas is helping to reinflate the economy. And a shuttered plant that tempers oil pipe opens up.
Nov 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis
Don’t break out the champagne yet. Sure, things are better, but there’s still a long way to go. And the main reason for the recovery is the market—Houston is a bargain.
Mar 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis
Going broke is for poor people. Here’s a whole chapter of Texans who have found ways to clear the books without losing their ranches, Rolls, or Rolexes.
Feb 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis, John Taliaferro, Drew Jubera and David Theis
We all need a place to call our own.
Jan 1, 1988 — By Tom Curtis
When Houston’s Hermann Hospital sought a cure for its financial ills, it decided to perform major surgery on its agreement with the UT medical school next door.
Nov 1, 1987 — By Tom Curtis
Onward through the fall at SMU; home on the fringe with Rob Paul; good news from the catalog jungle; a taste of Longhorn.
Aug 31, 1987 — By Tom Curtis
In 1980 a white girl was raped and murdered at Conroe High School, and the police quickly arrested a black janitorial supervisor. Now it looks as if the case wasn’t so open and shut after all.
Jan 1, 1980 — By Tom Curtis
Galveston has withstood tidal waves, hurricanes, gamblers, and tourists. Can it survive a superport?

Jul 31, 1979 — By Tom Curtis
Houston police said they shot Randy Webster because he pointed a gun at them. Randy’s father set out to prove they were lying.
Apr 30, 1978 — By Tom Curtis
In a dirty little factory, workers made an insecticide that poisoned them and then almost got us all.
Aug 31, 1977 — By Tom Curtis
If you ever go to Houston, you’d better walk right. You’d better not gamble, and you’d better not fight.
Apr 1, 1977 — By Tom Curtis
In the middle of the booming Houston economy are some new movers and shakers.
Feb 1, 1977 — By Tom Curtis
South Texas has had a revolution, but itÃs not the one José Angel Guttiérrez planned.

Jul 31, 1976 — By Tom Curtis
This politician controls the purse strings of the richest city in Texas. And he’s ready for bigger things.
Mar 1, 1976 — By Tom Curtis
From a long heritage of paternalism Fort Worth gropes toward democracy.
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