December 2003 Cover

Photographed exclusively for Texas Monthly by Dan Winters. Billy Bob Thornton: makeup by Lynne Eagen; hair by Joani Yarbrough; costume design by Daniel Orlandi; costuming by Danny Dirks. Dennis Quaid: makeup by Ron Berkeley; hair by Kelly Nelson; costume design by Daniel Orlandi; costuming by Danny Dirks and Jim Cullen.

December 2003

Table of Contents

Features

The town's name will forever be synonymous with one of the worst hate crimes in American history. But the story doesn't end there.

So much is at stake that we almost—almost—believe the release date of Disney's epic-to-be was delayed from Christmas Day to April for the reasons the studio claims. But given the way historical movies usually turn out, can you blame us for smirking?

If the Corsicana native is the best songwriter in Texas, perhaps it's because he knows his material. Hardscrabble upbringing. Sinful behavior. Redemption. Personal tragedy. Profound sorrow. And, finally, more redemption.

In an ever-changing political world, one thing is constant: The Republican mandarin is a player—and always will be.

You'd be one too if you were Carole Keeton Strayhorn and you thought the governor was messing with you.

Call it Perrymandering. Call it Tomfoolery. But whatever you call redistricting, call it successful (for now). And call the white Democrats dead.

Columns

Art

A new anthology of articles about Houston from the journal of the Rice Design Alliance is a sweeping historical overview, a civic memoir, and a municipal self-help guide.

Health

Many Texans are woefully unprepared for what has become our fastest-growing health care problem: taking care of Mom and Dad.

Music

Secret Santas, take note: Here are my picks for the state's most underrated or underrecognized CDs of the year.

Behind the Lines

Yes, I don't get it.

Reporter

Reporter

Joe Jamail rails against tort deform.

Reporter

Who wants to own a West Texas town? At least two eBay bidders have offered the asking price—but it could still be yours.

Reporter

Joe Moore reflects upon truth, justice, and Tulia.

Reporter

Or: "What's a girl gotta do to get a drink in this place"

The Filter

Pat’s Pick

Pat’s Pick

Miscellany

The Last Roundup

My hair apparent.

Web Exclusives

My Family, My Friends, My Food: Recipes Celebrating People and Life

In the little town of Praha, southeast of Austin, there are a couple of houses, a cemetery, and one of the most beautiful painted churches in Texas.

Writer-at-large Don Graham discusses this month's cover story, "Alamo Heights."

Photographer Dan Winters talks about being on the set of the Disney movie The Alamo.

Senior editor Pamela Colloff on Jasper, race relations, and the media.

Juan Seguin may not be as familiar as Sam Houston or William Travis, but his impact on Texas was just as important.

I went to the Alamo when I was a young girl but didn't really remember much about it. A recent trip to San Antonio changed all that, and boy, was I surprised by all the things I learned.

Recipes

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