September 2006

Table of Contents

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Features

Thank God It’s Friday

And Saturday. And Sunday. The arrival of fall means weekends spent watching football, up close and on-screen, and yet another opportunity to love the greatest game on earth for all the usual reasons. Forty-nine of them, in fact.

Plus:

Football Fever

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

The Joy of Spring

High Kicks at Halftime

Running With The Ball

Main Squeeze Blues

Saying good-bye to my dear Phyllis was the hardest thing I’ve ever done—and losing her so suddenly didn’t make it any easier. But I know I’ll see her again someday.

The Good Book and the Bad Book

When parents at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, in Austin—where the Capital City’s moneyed elite have educated their kids for more than fifty years—rebelled against the teaching of Brokeback Mountain, it was, you might say, a learning experience for everyone involved.

Plus:

Book Review

Senior editor John Spong on writing about controversy at a private school in Austin.

Girl Walks Into an Outlet Mall

But not just any. The Prime and Tanger outlets, in San Marcos, with Neiman’s Last Call and Saks Off Fifth and Polo Ralph Lauren and Zegna among their more than 225 stores, are the fourth most popular tourist attraction in Texas. Maximizing a trip to such a massive shopping mecca requires a carefully thought-out strategy. Fortunately, I have one.

King Of the Christocrats

By preaching that the Founding Fathers opposed the separation of church and state, David Barton has become the darling of evangelicals everywhere—and one of the most powerful Texas Republicans you’ve never heard of.

Plus:

Minister of Faith

Senior editor Nate Blakeslee on interviewing Republican preacher David Barton.

Columns

Behind the Lines

Grand Old Parry

My solicited two cents about the Republicans’ agenda.

Letter From Houston

The Satanic Versus

Andrea Yates does battle with her demons. Again.

Letter From Mexico

The Recount

Mexico in 2006 may not be Florida in 2000, but there are at least two similarities: The final results of its closest-ever presidential election are taking pretty long to determine. And however it comes out, a lot of people are going to be unhappy.

Sarah Bird

My Dirty Little Secret

I’m a slob. There, I said it. Now don’t mess with me.

Reporter

Topic A

It Is the Heat

Hot enough for you?

The Horse’s Mouth

The Art Of Shopping

Mouth Kim France likes Old Navy—but not leggings.

The Sports Authorities

Any Given Saturday

Handicapping the Big 12.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Cows And Bulls Are Our Widgets.

Cows Inc.

Faith Bases

Cowboys for Jesus Christian Fellowship

William Martin reviews our places of worship.

Encyclopedia Texanica

Texas Myth# 471

Who put the Bowie in the bowie knife?

Cojones

Richard and Gina Donovan

A tip of the hat to risk-taking, barrier-breaking, establishment-tweaking Texans.

Hollywood, TX

Terror Alert

Revved up for Chainsaw.

Buy This Now

Hit Parade

Drums you can’t beat.

Go

Cosmic Wonder

A starry-eyed getaway.

Texas Monthly Talks

Betty Buckley

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

The Filter

Pat’s Pick

Trece

Miscellaneous

Web Extra

Football Fever

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

Editor’s Letter

Full Disclosure

Web Extra

Minister of Faith

Senior editor Nate Blakeslee on interviewing Republican preacher David Barton.

Roar of the Crowd

Cover Charges

Web Extra

Book Review

Senior editor John Spong on writing about controversy at a private school in Austin.

State of the Art

Coach Class

A salute to some of our favorite gridiron heroes.

Web Extra

Across the Border

Contributing editor Dick J. Reavis on reporting from Mexico during that country’s presidential election.

Web Extra

Running With The Ball

Books That Cook

Flavors

Happy Trails

A recent trip to the Schulenburg Festival left us wishing for the good old days.

Texas History 101

In the fifties and sixties, the kings of the Dallas burlesque business were brothers Abe and Barney Weinstein, and their competition, Jack Ruby.

Texas Tidbits

The mascots, the rituals, the hand signs—these are just a few of the reasons why we love Texas universities.