April 2005

Table of Contents

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Features

Truth, Justice, and the (Un)American Way

Everyone expected Clark Kent Ervin to parlay his loyal Bush Republicanism into big things in Washington. Which is why his sudden exit from the Department of Homeland Security was so surprising.

Panhandle

South from Amarillo to Tulia, east to Turkey, west to Silverton, and north, through Palo Duro Canyon, to Amarillo.

Hill Country

West from Dripping Springs to Johnson City, south to Blanco, southeast to Fischer, east to Wimberley, and north to Dripping Springs.

Big Bend

South from Alpine to Study Butte, west to Presidio, north to Marfa, and east to Alpine.

Piney Woods

North from Lufkin to Nacogdoches, east to San Augustine, southwest to Zavalla, west to Diboll, and north to Lufkin.

Safe at Home

Yes, I am one of those parents, the sort who takes his perfectly contented ten-year-old out of a relaxed neighborhood softball league and propels her into the hypercompetitive world of youth tournament sports. But you know what? It’s what Maisie wanted.

Unholy Act

No one in McAllen saw Irene Garza leave Sacred Heart that night in 1960. The next morning, her car was still parked down the street from the church. She never came home.

Columns

Anne Dingus

Making Up Is Hard to Do

How the cosmetically challenged among us manage to save face.

Michael Ennis

Dissing Darwin

Why Texas could lose the biotech revolution—and end up, once again, an economic also-ran.

Behind the Lines

Disaster!

The House botches school finance.

Sarah Bird

Sibling Ribaldry

Developing my twisted sense of humor was a family affair.

Karen Olsson

The Buck Stops Nowhere

Is the Texan who oversaw Abu Ghraib a hero, a villain, or both?

Reporter

Reporter

I Inject, Your Honor

The Panhandle DA known statewide for his zeal in busting drug dealers and abusers turns out to have been an addict. Prosecutor, heal thyself.

As Told To

Band of Mothers

Cool rockin’ mommy.

Encyclopedia Texanica

Texas Myth #321

Bluebonnet burglars, beware?

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

The Filter

Pat's Pick

Jaden’s

Pat's Pick

Liquid Assets

Miscellaneous

Texas Monthly Talks

Thomas Haden Church

“I knew immediately that they’d be serving ice water in hell about the same time I’d be cast in [Sideways].”

Happy Trails

After just one visit, I fell in love with Wimberley. No wonder—the Hill Country hamlet is full of antiques stores, good food, and art studios.

Web Extra

Homeland Job Insecurity

Former Texas Monthly senior editor Robert Draper on writing about his high school nemesis, Clark Kent Ervin, the former inspector general of homeland security.

Web Extra

Miles and Miles of Texas

Writer-at-large Suzy Banks, executive editor S.C. Gwynne, senior editor Michael Hall, and new-media director Charlie Llewellin talk about hitting the road for this month’s cover story.

Web Extra

Case Not Closed

Senior editor Pamela Colloff on the murder of McAllen beauty queen Irene Garza and confronting the longtime suspect, John Feit.

Web Extra

Cover Boy

Photographer Dan Winters on red Saabs, old pickups, and Thomas Haden Church.

Texas History 101

The oldest drive in Texas didn’t have any tolls, passing lanes, or shoulders. In fact it wasn’t much of a road at all. The Chisholm and Goodnight-Loving trails were the superhighways of the legendary nineteenth century cattle industry—the pinnacle of a true Texas drive.

Texas Tidbits

If you ever plan to motor West, in West Texas that is, there’s only one highway that’s the best.

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