March 2007

Table of Contents

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Features

The Test of Time

George W. Bush says he doesn’t have time to think about his legacy, but the rest of us have no such trouble. We asked some of the smartest people we could think of—prize-winning historians, presidential scholars, White House vets—to predict how 43 will be judged and to suggest what, if anything, he can still do about it.

“Oh, My God! It’s Our Children!”

On March 18, 1937, the residents of New London, southeast of Tyler, endured the worst small-town tragedy in U.S. history: an explosion at the combined junior-senior high school that killed some three hundred students and teachers. Seventy years later, 47 survivors share their memories of that horrific day.

The Songs Remain the Same

And for these 8 one-hit wonders, including Balde Silva, of Toby Beau, that’s a good thing: Thanks to wildly successful singles they released many years ago, what might have otherwise been forgettable careers are anything but.

Family Values

It may surprise you to learn that gay couples in Texas are more likely to have children than those in most other states, or that San Antonio is a gay parenting mecca, with a higher percentage of gay households with children than any other U.S. city. So why are gay parents in such a state of legal limbo here? And why won’t the Legislature get government off their backs?

From Husks Till Dawn

Even cowgirls get the munchies, which is why Paula Disbrowe came up with these great recipes for migas, blackberry blue-corn muffins, and other breakfast staples.

Columns

Gary Cartwright

Go Fire Yourself!

It’s the best thing Jerry Jones could do for the Cowboys.

Letter From Nocona

Glove Story

Why an iconic sporting-goods company survived a devastating fire.

Behind the Lines

The Secret History

The real reason to worry about the Bush library.

Sarah Bird

Good-bye, Mrs. Chips

My short, happy life as a poker player.

Reporter

Buy This Now

Reduce, Reuse, Relax

We yield to the chair.

Encyclopedia Texanica

Texas Myth #92

How many Texans died at the Alamo?

Faith Bases

Cathedral of Hope

William Martin reviews our places of worship.

FAQ

Wall of Confusion

So much for the border fence.

Hollywood, TX

Action Heroes

The best of the new auteurs.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Bulldozers.

And the survey says …

Texas Monthly Talks

Phyllis George

Phyllis George on life’s rich pageant.

The Horse’s Mouth

Barrel Racing

Martha Josey on the basics of barrel racing.

Topic A

At Ease

Four years later, even more of our heroes have fallen in Iraq.

Go

Forty Acres in Forty Hours

Forty Acres and a school.

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

The Filter

Miscellaneous

Recipe

Achiote Seared Chickpeas with Goat Cheese

Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, Austin

Editor’s Letter

Legacies

Roar of the Crowd

Cheney Reaction

Recipe

Salsa Verde

Recipe

Cowgirl Migas

Web Extra

Presidential Profile

Editor Evan Smith on analyzing George W. Bush’s legacy.

Web Extra

History Lesson

Senior editor Katy Vine talks about tracking down survivors of the New London school explosion and listening to their stories about that fateful day.

Web Extra

Family Matters

Senior editor Nate Blakeslee on talking to gay couples who want to adopt children.

Web Extra

Still the One

Senior editor Michael Hall on talking to musicians and using the phrase “one-hit wonder.”

Web Extra

Go Team

Executive editor S. C. Gwynne on writing about the comeback of the Nocona Athletic Goods Company.