February 2006

Table of Contents

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Features

Perfect 10

The reviews of the Vince Young show are in—and, of course, they’re all raves. Gary Cartwright and Bud Shrake argue that the Texas quarterback is the best ever but wonder if his throwing motion is an obstacle to NFL greatness. Plus: Mack vs. “Delbert.”

Tommy Lee Jones Is Not Acting

On screen and off, his affect is that of someone who should not be disturbed: a crotchety, contentious, impatient, and thoroughly genuine West Texan. That’s what makes his characters—including his latest, the lead in The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada— so believable.

Home Movies

From Red River to Rushmore, the 25 best Texas films on DVD.

Good Knight? Good Luck!

When Texas Tech University hired Bob Knight to coach the Red Raiders basketball team, in 2001, he was, er, a known quantity. And in every possible sense, he’s lived up to his billing.

Where to Eat Now 2006

Our favorite new restaurants of the year—and a few more that almost make the cut.

“Only the Dead Have Seen The End of War”

“Only the Dead Have Seen The End of War” I hope to change that.

A Kiss Before Dying

Forty-five years after Betty Williams was shot to death by the handsome football player she had been secretly seeing, her murder haunts her Odessa high school—literally.

Columns

Patricia Kilday Hart

Size Matters

If big high schools are the problem, why aren’t there more small ones?

Behind the Lines

First, Dew No Harm

A challenge for the lieutenant governor.

Gary Cartwright

My Blue Heaven

Why I love—and why so many of you hate—the People’s Republic of Austin.

Sarah Bird

Writer Is to Amateur …

Living proof that moms shouldn’t take the SAT.

Reporter

Reporter

The Man In the White Hat

To hear John Poindexter tell it, he’s one of the good guys—a faithful steward of his West Texas land and therefore a worthy bidder for 46,000 acres of Big Bend Ranch State Park. But sometimes having your heart in the right place simply isn’t enough.

Minister of Health

The Eyes of Texas

Oh, say, can you see?

The Horse’s Mouth

Blogging

Blog days.

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

The Filter

Pat's Pick

Capitol Brasserie

Pat's Pick

A fond farewell to Earl Abel’s

Last Call.

Miscellaneous

Web Extra

Game Highlights

Editor Evan Smith talks about watching the Rose Bowl, text-messaging University of Texas athletics director DeLoss Dodds, and putting Vince Young on the cover.

Texas Monthly Talks

Laura Miller

“The problem is that there’s nobody who can put their foot down and say, ‘Yep, by God, we’re going to do this …’ It’s a city without leadership.”

Web Extra

Mr. Not-So-Nice Guy

Executive editor Skip Hollandsworth on his most difficult interview, actor Tommy Lee Jones

Roar of the Crowd

Home Base

Web Extra

Home, Sweet Home

Senior editor Gary Cartwright on Austin and what he likes best about the liberal city he calls home.

Web Extra

Eating Out

Senior editor Patricia Sharpe on the state’s top restaurants.

Web Extra

Murder, She Wrote

Senior editor Pamela Colloff on researching a 45-year-old murder case, tracking down sources, and using a ghost story to show how the crime still haunts Odessa.

Web Extra

Knight Time

Mark Heisler and Steve Delsohn, who wrote Bob Knight: The Unauthorized Biography, talk about their book, Bob Knight, and basketball.

Texas History 101

LBJ’s most important election wasn’t the presidential race he won. It was the Senate campaign he lost.

Happy Trails

Salado is the perfect mix of shopping, culture, and fun.

Texas Tidbits

Tommy Lee Jones is sought out for his ability to bring complexity to even the most standard role. Here are ten notable appearances onscreen.