December 1994 Issue

George W. Bush and the New Political Landscape

How the Republicans took over Texas—and what it means.

By Paul Burka

Missions Accomplished

Forget the Alamo. The real spirit and history of Texas come alive at San Antonio’s eighteenth-century churches.

By Jan Jarboe Russell

Lady Bird Looks Back

Frank talk about LBJ’s life, JFK’s death, the promise of Hillary Clinton, the perils of Oliver North—and more.

By Jan Jarboe Russell

More Colorful Texas Sayings Than You Can Shake a Stick At

Come hell or high water, you’ll want to read our compilation of down-home aphorisms.

By Anne Dingus

The Sheriff Who Went to Pot

Brig Marmolejo may have been convicted of bribery, but he is more than just another crooked cop in South Texas. His is the story of borders easily crossed—the ageless parable of the Rio Grande Valley.

By Robert Draper

Whatever Happened to Ronnie Littleton?

Twenty-five years ago, in the wake of integration, he was the football star at my mostly white high school in Wichita Falls. Not much has gone right for him since.

By Skip Hollandsworth

Texas Sayings

Forget that Roget fella—here in Texas we’re more apt to consult Bubba’s thesaurus. In Texas, folks aren’t just rich—locals say they didn’t come to town two to a mule. Someone doesn’t merely die—she opens herself up a worm farm. A scoundrel is “greasy as fried lard”; a summer day…

By Anne Dingus

Chocolate-Grand Marnier Truffles

Forget the figgy pudding. The centerpiece of your party table for the holidays should be this voluptuous cheesecake from Houston’s Sierra Grill. For a chaser, set out a batch of Watkins’ Grand Marnier truffles rolled in Texas pecans. Your guests won’t go until they get some. 1 1/4 cups heavy…

By Texas Monthly

Citrus Cheesecake

What raises this cheesecake above all others is the inspired addition of three ingredients: Bailey’s Irish Cream to impart a silky nip, and orange and lemon zest to lend a tang. Graham Cracker Crust 2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup butter (room temperature) Combine…

By Texas Monthly

Kings of Swing

Can a golfer change the bad habits of a lifetime? The academy at Golfsmith International made a believer out of me.

By Turk Pipkin

The Home Vote

By Gregory Curtis

Page Masters

This past year, Texas writers chased tornadoes, delved into devil worship, and pondered the etiquette of breast-feeding.

By Anne Dingus, Robert Draper and David McCormick

Best-Case Scenario

To win a high-profile these days, you need to hire a jury consultant. Galveston's Robert Hirschhorn is one of the best.

By Helen Thompson

Night Trippers

When Dallas sleep doctors cured Tommy Atkins’ snoring probelm, they probably saved his life.

By Jim Atkinson

Beer Bust

By Paul Burka

Bernardo Zuchil and Pontiac, Lajitas Trading Post, 1994

By Texas Monthly

State Fare

Forget the figgy pudding. The centerpiece of your party table for the holidays should be this voluptuous cheesecake from Houston’s Sierra Grill. Chef Charles Watkins has taken an everyday dessert and turned it into something special, its texture as lush as velvet, the density firm without being heavy. But…

By Patricia Sharpe

Heiress Apparent

By Texas Monthly

Folk Lure

An Austin arts group is exposing the roots of Texas music to a younger audience.

By Joe Nick Patoski

War Games

Finally, a toymaker that isn’t just kidding around: A new Alamo playset gets things right.

By Stephen Harrigan

Generation Mex

Many young Texans are heading to Mexico City to jump-start their careers.

By Dan Michalski