October 2000

Table of Contents

Find the access code — required to read stories online — on the third contents page in the most recent issue of Texas Monthly. Subscribers can also visit our Customer Care page to get the code. Subscribe now and get instant access.

Features

Can't Buy Me Love

Take one of the nation's wealthiest men, the enigmatic, Egyptian-born Fayez Sarofim. Add his socialite first wife and her brassy successor. Stir in River Oaks mansions and greedy lawyers, boatloads of money and oceans of booze. Mix it all together and what do you get? A hell of a mess that's the talk of Houston.

Splendor in the Grass

Thirty years ago J. David Bamberger bought "the worst piece of land in Blanco County," then cleared the cedar and planted native trees and grasses. Today his ranch is a haven for birders, environmentalists, and students— and he is a revered guru of land stewardship.

My Daddy

In this excerpt from her just-published memoir, Natural Blonde, syndicated gossip columnist Liz Smith remembers her Fort Worth childhood and life with father.

Get With the Program

Two-four-six-eight, who do we appreciate? San Antonio businessman Jack DeVere, whose collection of Texas football memorabilia evokes a simpler, more innocent time.

It's Rick Perry's Party Now

Sophisticated, likable politician? Arrogant, not-ready- for-prime-time player? He's both—as well as the presumptive next governor of Texas.

Columns

Travel

Bigger Bend

Rising high above the floor of the Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico's Museo Maderas del Carmen nature reserve is like a whole other country. Plus: information on how to visit the park.

Books

The Pits

The problem with Mary Karr's latest confessional memoir, Cherry, is that she won't stop confessing.

Behind the Lines

Little Big Man

Ross Perot's lost legacy.

Profile

Babin Fever

Woodville's Lucas Babin may be this year's model, but when he left for L.A. to make it big, he had no idea that he'd have such a smooth landing on the runway.

Music

Unsung

On the record with Chris Strachwitz, whose Arhoolie label has quietly built the world's best collection of indigenous Texas music.

Food and Drink

Sour Grapes

For nearly 25 years the state's wineries have struggled to mature. Will Texas wines ever go well with anything?

Miscellaneous

Around the State

Women go on display in Dallas. Plus: A natural promotion from Texas Parks and Wildlife; gut times at Beaumont's Best of Texas International Music Awards; O. Henry's paper trail in Austin; and musician Jason Moran comes home to Houston.

Web Extra

The War of the Sarofims

Senior editor Skip Hollandsworth tells the story behind this month's cover story, "Can't Buy Me Love." How he got his sources to talk, what he did when they wouldn't, and other secrets of his reporting.

Web Extra

Zooing Around With the Kids

"Why do zoos keep animals in cages?" Tips on answering this and other questions.

Texas Classics

Alpaca

Alpaca

Web Extra

Your questions on Texas wine answered

Test assistant editor Jordan Mackay's knowledge of Texas wine—his piece, "Sour Grapes," about the state of the Texas wine industry, ran in this issue.

The Ex Files

Lee Ann Womack

Lee Ann Womack's radio days.

Face

Juan Miró

Juan Miró builds his legacy in Austin.

State Fare

Herbed Goat Cheese Baked in Paper Bread

Houston's Tony Ruppe's has got your goat cheese.

Texas Primer

Frank Buck

How many monkeys did Frank Buck capture?

Reporter

Royal Treatment

Archer City brings up the lights on the Royal theater.

State Secrets

Justice Prevails

Justice for Medicaid?

Hot Books

The Bottoms

Subscribe Now
Food Anthology