June 1985 Issue

Features

The Last Tarpon
My quest for this magnificent silver fish drew me to a lonely stretch of the Texas coast night and day, summer and fall, over and over again.

The Desperate Search for Christi Meeks
When five-year-old Christi Meeks disappeared and the police couldn’t find her, her father turned to Bill Dear, one of the most controversial private detectives in Texas.

La Reina Diana
By her dedication, her rigor, her almost overwhelming enthusiasm, Diana Kennedy forced a generation of cooks to take Mexican food seriously and jolted Texans into realizing that there is life beyond the combination dinner.
The Texas Six-Pack
The six freshman Republican congressmen from Texas are young, angry, and energetic. The only question is, can they be effective too?

Western Art
This story is from Texas Monthly’s archives. We have left the text as it was originally published to maintain a clear historical record. Read more here about our archive digitization project. From 1983 to 1986, Texas Monthly’s regular feature, “Western Art,” highlighted artists’ takes on the classic
Columns
Going Whole Hog
Larry McMurtry’s grand epic, Lonesome Dove, opens with blue snake-eating pigs and goes on to describe unflinchingly the settlement of the American West. Mark Singer’s Funny Money examines the biggest bank failure in U.S. history.
Just One of Those Things
Jazz singers defy definition. They may scat, or they may not; they may be veterans or newcomers; they may decline the label of jazz singer. But their music always gives them away.
Aching Hollows
Heartbreakers has a drowsy punch, but it still stings; 1918 deposits us in nostalgia; My First Wife is all psychodrama, no wit; Sylvia is refined, reserved—and despairing.
Mornin’, Mr. Smitherman
Every day the citizens of Cameron rise and shine to the radio antics of Eugene “Unk” Smitherman and his creation, a lovable rube named Silas Strausberger.
Reporter
Texas Monthly Reporter
Austin’s infamous Iguana; Lucas’ latest story; San Antonio’s dedicated Dodgers; Tascosa’s secretive spirits.
Web
On the Menu: Nero’s Italian
DESPITE ITS LOCATION on Dallas’ trendy restaurant row, Nero’s has a tucked-in feel reminiscent of the kind of cozy Italian place one might find downtown in New York City or scattered throughout Boston’s North End. Dark and atmospheric inside, strings of tiny white tea lights hang haphazardly from the vintage
Nero’s Chicken Luigi
Recipe from chef Luigi, Nero’s Italian, DallasA double breast of chicken stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, fresh goat cheese and spinach, in a fresh roasted garlic cream sauce.6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, split 1/4 lb. goat cheese 1/4 lb. sun-dried tomatoes 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1/2 lb. fresh spinach 1/2 lb.
Miscellany
Roar of the Crowd
Topping it off; pickin’ on T. Boone; traveling the byways; finding relief.
State Secrets
Can Ross Perot get the Indians to sell out Manhattan again? Why Kent Hance may not run; roll out the pork barrel; shoot down that trial balloon.