July 2004

Table of Contents

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Features

Them's Fightin' Words!

All over the world, and all over this country, the Texas stereotype is mocked and maligned (so what else is new?). Does it matter, really, if everyone thinks we're fat, violent, prudish yahoos?

Peace be with you. And also with you. Unless you're gay.

The battle for the soul of the Episcopal Church, being waged aggressively in this state, is not only about the ordination of homosexuals. It's also about the future of the denomination.

Stop and Smell the Lavender

Staples of Provençal cuisine, such as olive oil, goat cheese, and honey, are being produced in Texas? Mais oui.

The Magnificent Seven

Meet a diver, a high-jumper, and five other Texas athletes who hope to put the pedal to the medal at the 2004 Olympics.

The Unknown Soldier

Hector Perez loved his country enough to die for it. A year later, his family is still paying the price of patriotism.

Letters Home

Seventy-five Texans—sons and daughters, brothers and sisters—have died in Iraq since last March. Here are some of their final words.

Columns

Gary Cartwright

One School Left Behind

Austin's Garza High is a rescuer of lost souls. Too bad President Bush's education-reform law considers it a failure.

Kinky Friedman

Arrivederci, Melanoma

I never thought about saving my skin, until things got as serious as cancer.

Cecilia Ballí

The Framing of Mario Medina?

Did Mexican authorities find the man who killed a crusading Nuevo Laredo editor? Or have they taken the easy way out (again)?

Behind the Lines

Gas Pains

We need an energy policy. Now.

Michael Ennis

Apocalypse Now

What sets Dallas apart from other sophisticated American cities? Its unique end-of-the-world industry.

Reporter

Reporter

Greg Ott, Free

The philosophy graduate student who was convicted of killing a Texas Ranger in 1978 has finally been released and is getting on with his life.

Reporter

Fertittaville

Restaurant mogul Tilman Fertitta means to redevelop Galveston into what some say will be a Gulf Coast version of Atlantic City. No wonder he's making waves.

Reporter

Encyclopedia Texanica

How high may our flag fly?

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

The Filter

Pat's Pick

Julia's Bistro

Pat's Pick

Nice Ice, Baby

Miscellaneous

Atsbox

George Lopez

Texas Monthly Talks

Susan Combs

"Billy can go to a 7-Eleven and buy a soft drink and must pay sales tax, but Billy goes to school, buys a soft drink, and pays no sales tax."

Texas Tidbits

The Olympics bring fame to medal winners, but sometimes the luster fades and names are forgotten. Here's a list of a few Texas-born sports heroes who may not have made it on your radar screen.

Web Extra

In Their Own Words

Read passages from letters written by Texas soldiers who died in Iraq.

Web Extra

Great Divide

Executive editor S.C. Gwynne on the controversy among Episcopal leaders and the future of the Anglican Church.

Web Extra

Going for the Gold

Photographer Michael O'Brien, who took portraits of Olympic hopefuls for "The Magnificent Seven," discusses how to get the perfect pose.

Web Extra

Smooth Operator

Associate editor Katy Vine on Houston businessman Tilman Fertitta and his impact on Galveston's tourism revival.

Web Extra

Cave Clan

As Natural Bridge Caverns celebrates forty years since its dedication, its patron family looks back on three generations of cave life.

Web Extra

World View

Executive editor Mimi Swartz on Texas bashing and the return of the cowboy stereotype.

Web Extra

New School

Garza High School principal Vicki Baldwin talks about the daily assault on public education, President George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind policy, and what a non- traditional school like Garza has to offer kids.

Web Extra

Land Rover

Scott Cohen, the executive chef at La Mansion del Rio Hotel, in San Antonio, puts a Texas twist on Provençal cooking.

Texas History 101

From World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Fort Hood has remained a stalwart structure in U.S. military history.

Web Extra

Grieving Process

Writer-at-large Cecilia Ballí, who wrote this month's feature "The Unknown Soldier", discusses reporting a story about death and the need for media sensitivity.

Happy Trails

What are the farms in The Hill Country like? After visiting three on a recent Sunday, I discovered they're anything but ordinary.

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