June 2006

Table of Contents

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Features

Water, Water Everywhere

From kayaking on Town Lake to mountain biking around Joe Pool Lake, from bass fishing on Lake Fork to horseback riding on the shores of Lake Whitney, here are some of our favorite things to do in, on, and around Texas lakes.

The Truth Is Out There

Spoiler alert: The mythic Marfa lights may not be real. But there’s no way to know for sure, and that’s why they’re cool.

He’s Sisyphus, and He Approves This Message

Gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell pushes a rock up a hill.

The Gangstas of Godwin Park

Whatever else you can say about it, the life and death of Bellaire High School junior Jonathan Finkelman is a tragic tale of drugs, money, race, and MySpace.

It’s Hard Out Here For a Pipkin

Have you heard the good news? My career as a bit player in Hollywood continues apace.

Money Talks

Wealthy Republican donor James Leininger on why he supports school vouchers and opposes apostates in his party.

Columns

H. W. Brands

Shoot the Messenger

I thought I’d be teaching middle- schoolers something about Texas history. I didn’t count on what they’d teach me.

Behind the Lines

Blown Away

Rita, the forgotten hurricane.

Virginia Postrel

Here’s Looking at You, Kidney

How—and why—I became an organ donor.

Letter From Plano

Shabby Chic

Will the upscale shoppers of Plano really buy what Wal-Mart is selling?

Sarah Bird

Step Lively

My dancing feet. And, hopefully, yours.

Reporter

Topic A

The Enron Show

Scenes from the Enron reality show.

The Horse’s Mouth

Going to the World Cup

Clint Dempsey’s World Cup runneth over.

FAQ

Crude Awakening

Is it okay to hate Exxon Mobil?

A Soldier’s Story

“Sir, he wasn’t really lying.”

I have only a few weeks to go.

Faith Bases

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

William Martin reviews our places of worship.

Minister of Health

Welcome To the 03

Why ozone is indeed a menace.

Hollywood, TX

Royal Flush

Ignore the critics. See The King.

Buy This Now

Cinch It

Big old buckles for dear old dad.

Street Smarts

Southtown, San Antonio

The eclectic artiness of San Antonio’s Southtown.

Texas Monthly Talks

Betty Flores

Betty Flores on border security—and insecurity.

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

The Filter

Pat's Pick

Tryst

Miscellaneous

Web Extra

Splash!

Articles editor Brian D. Sweany talks about editing this month’s cover story on lakes.

Editor’s Letter

Lights Out?

Web Extra

For Whom Bell Tolls

Executive editor S. C. Gwynne on writing about gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell.

Roar of the Crowd

Seventy-five and Counting

Web Extra

Let There Be Lights

Senior editor Michael Hall on seeing (and not seeing) the mysterious Marfa lights.

Web Extra

Digital Underground

Executive editor Mimi Swartz talks about Houston’s Bellaire High School and a potent combination: teenagers, drugs, and the Internet.

Web Extra

Readers Speak Out

More of your responses to the April cover story, “75 Things We Love About Texas”.

Texas Tidbits

Feeling Saucy?

Happy Trails

In Georgetown, people know bees.

Texas History 101

At the end of World War II, Texas was “home” to more than 78,000 enemy prisoners living in POW camps.