October 2000
Table of Contents
Features
Can't Buy Me LoveTake 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 GrassThirty 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 DaddyIn 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 ProgramTwo-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 NowSophisticated, likable politician? Arrogant, not-ready- for-prime-time player? He's both—as well as the presumptive next governor of Texas. |
Columns
ProfileBabin FeverWoodville'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. BooksThe PitsThe problem with Mary Karr's latest confessional memoir, Cherry, is that she won't stop confessing. |
MusicUnsungOn the record with Chris Strachwitz, whose Arhoolie label has quietly built the world's best collection of indigenous Texas music. TravelBigger BendRising 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. Food and DrinkSour GrapesFor nearly 25 years the state's wineries have struggled to mature. Will Texas wines ever go well with anything? |
Reporter
Miscellany
Hot Book ExcerptClose Calls: Jan Reid's TexasYou and UsBaked Herbed Goat Cheese |
Web Exclusives
The War of the SarofimsSenior 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. Zooing Around With the Kids"Why do zoos keep animals in cages?" Tips on answering this and other questions. |
Your questions on Texas wine answeredTest 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. |
Recipes
State FareHouston’s Tony Ruppe’s has got your goat cheese. |
