2002

A Q&A with Tony Joe White

They may not be songs about Texas, but Tony Joe White wrote Rainy Night in Georgia and Polk Salad Annie while living in Corpus Christi. Currently on tour opening for Joe Cocker, the Louisiana native chats about old times, his new record label, and the Texas musician who first inspired

State Fairness

Senior Texas Monthly editor Michael Hall tells the story behind his article, "Death Isn't Fair."

Ranch Undressing

Writer-at-large Don Graham discusses this month's cover story "The Secret History," and his forthcoming book on the King Ranch, King of Texas.

Boy on the Bus

Executive editor S.C. Gwynne talks about life on the campaign trail with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Sanchez.

Texas Tidbits

King Ranch stats.

Texas History 101

The Death Penalty.

Happy Trails

When playing tour guide, there's no place like home.

Books That Cook

Tim Love on the Lonesome Dove Trail: Recipes of Urban Western Cuisine.

Salsify and Radishes Braised in White Wine

1 1/2 pounds salsify, available at some Central Markets and H-E-B stores 1 bunch French Breakfast radishes or White Icicle radishes, available at Fiesta and Central Markets 6 or 7 tablespoons lemon juice (3 or 4 lemons) 2 tablespoons flour 2 medium cloves garlic 2 shallots extra-virgin olive oil, for

Winter-Fruit Strudel

4 sheets frozen filo 3/4 pound tart apples such as Granny Smith, Winesap, Jonathan, or Cortland 1/3 pound firm Bosc pears 1/2 cup dried figs 1/2 cup dried apricots 1/2 cup raisins 1 cup sweet white wine such as Riesling or Chenin Blanc, warmed 1 stick unsalted butter 1 cup

Masa Tart Hors d’Oeuvres

Masa Tart Shells3/4 pound masa preparada (prepared masa, available at H-E-B and Fiesta markets) 1/3 cup (about 3 ounces) lard or Crisco, at room temperature 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon powdered guajillo or ancho chile (not chili powder) 1/4 cup good-quality chicken stock, such as Swanson’s chicken broth custard

Lamb and Prune Tagine

This sweetly spiced tagine is typical of the Moroccan love of sweet and savory flavors in the same dish.

The Secret History

Did Richard King cheat his partner's heirs out of a chunk of the King Ranch nearly 120 years ago? He may have—and if the Texas Supreme Court permits Chapman v. King Ranch, Inc., to go to trial, the past could come back to haunt the state's most storied spread.

Amen

Three decades after his last megamission in Dallas, age and poor health haven't slowed Billy Graham down (well, not much). He's still the most powerful evangelist since Jesus, and there will never be another like him.

It Came A-Pun a Midnight Clear

Before you start wrapping presents, here's a gift from us to you: a Texas-holiday-themed crossword puzzle. Sharpen your pencil and get a clue.

You Only Live Twice

Where does an actress of a certain age restart her life (and jump-start her career) after years at Hollywood's mercy? If you're former Bond Girl Lois Chiles, the answer is obvious: back home in Texas.

Tangled Up in Bob

Bob Dylan revisited.

Holiday on Ice

Yes, you can really take your kids skating outdoors in Texas—plus other ways to keep them busy (and yourself sane) when school's out.

Restaurant Guide

Wrongful Life?

A Houston couple says a hospital is responsible for their daughter's severe disabilities. Should Texas' highest court agree, the case will change health care as we know it.

Brothers in Lore

What ever happened to twin halfbacks Dickie Don and Rickie Ron Yewbet, the pride of the Corbett Comets? Forty years later, their story is still unbelievable.

Grand Illusion

Deep pockets and an uphill climb: S. C. Gwynne says the last days of Tony Sanchez's campaign for governor looked an awful lot like the first.

Shipping News

ELITE MEAT Texas caterer Tom Perini was thrilled enough when he was asked to throw a barbecue for Russian president Vladimir Putin in Crawford last year. He never dreamed that ten months later he would be touring Moscow and St. Petersburg, teaching Russian chefs how to cook beef. “For President

Bookshelf

Garden of Eatin’ Dreamed of traveling the globe? Martha Rose Shulman has a deal for you. The former Texan will take you around the world in 288 pages, and you don’t even have to pack a bag. But you do have to pick up a copy of your tour guide’s

Maiya’s

’S WONDERFUL, ‘S MARFALOUS Until this year, folks who found themselves in Marfa at mealtime had a choice of tacos or tacos (oh, wait—you could also get a burger). This summer, the options increased exponentially, which is to say that there is now a fine-dining option in this Big Bend-area

Angela Shelf Medearis

An Austin children's book author stands up for herself (and African American girls everywhere).

Swept Away

Election nostalgia already!

Around the State

Holiday

GIMME SHELTER This month, as various towns across the state stage Las Posadas processions, in which actors portraying Mary and Joseph reenact the biblical couple’s search for shelter, directors will be challenged with the question of casting. This year McAllen, which hosts the largest production in the state, marks its

Straight Talk

TELL IT LIKE IT IS Aaron Neville will be the featured performer at the Mayor’s Official Houston Holiday Celebration in the Bayou City December 6. His newest record, Believe, will be released in January. What is the most dramatic change you have seen in music over the years? I guess

Tune In

GOTTA SING! Every holiday season offers the chance for thousands of singers—and wannabes—to burst into song. As regular choristers dust off Handel’s Messiah for appreciative audiences—Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio all have excellent performances lined up—hosts of shower singers start looking for alternatives that bring

Get Out

POWER PLAY Hockey in Texas, eh? Even though the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars—who, need we remind you, drank from Lord Stanley’s Cup in 1999—have been shining in the Lone Star State for a decade now and minor league franchises have found more homes here than in any other state,

A Fine Modness

Modernism may yet be proved dead, but if so, it has left an exquisite corpse in Fort Worth's stunning new Modern Art Museum.

A Q&A With Bryan Woolley

An interview with Bryan Woolley, author of Charreada: Mexican Rodeo in Texas.

A Q&A With Bill Wittliff

An interview with Bill Wittliff, author of Boystown: La Zona de Tolerancia.

A Q&A With Ruthe Winegarten

An interview with Ruthe Winegarten, author of The Lives and Times of Black Dallas Women, and Tuneful Tales: Bernice Love Wiggins. (Introduction)

A Q&A With David Marion Wilkinson

An interview with David Marion Wilkinson, Author of Oblivion’s Altar.

A Q&A With Donley Watt

An interview with Donley Watt, author of Reynolds.

A Q&A With Robb Walsh

An interview with Rob Walsh, author of Legends of Texas Barbecue Cookbook: Recipes and Recollections from the Pit Bosses.

A Q&A With Paul Robert Walker

An interview with Paul Robert Walker, author of True Tales of the Wild West.

A Q&A With Robert Utley

An interview with Robert Utley, author of Lone Star Justice: The First Century of the Texas Rangers.

A Q&A With Suzy Spencer

An interview with Suzy Spencer, author of Breaking Point.

A Q&A With Steven Saylor

An interview with Steven Saylor, author of A Mist of Prophecies.

A Q&A With David Richards

An interview with David Richards, author of Once Upon a Time in Texas: A Liberal in the Lone Star State.

A Q&A With Jan Reid

An interview with Jan Reid, author of The Bullet Meant for Me.

A Q&A With Tim O’Brien

An interview with Tim O’Brien, author of July, July.

A Q&A With Marsha Moyer

An interview with Marsha Moyer, author of The Second Coming of Lucy Hatch.

A Q&A With Michael Moorcock

An interview with Michael Moorcock, authour of King of the City.

A Q&A With Wyman Meinzer

An interview with Wyman Meinzer, author of Canyons of the Texas High Plains and Texas Rivers.