July 2007

Table of Contents

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Features

Angel of Death

What was it, exactly, that caused Vickie Dawn Jackson, a sweet, soft-spoken nurse at Nocona General Hospital, to become one of the most prolific serial killers in Texas history?

Plus:

The Killing Game

Executive editor Skip Hollandsworth on talking to Vickie Dawn Jackson, one of the state’s most prolific serial killers.

Angel of Death

Skip Hollandsworth reads the cover story.

The Best and Worst Legislators 2007

The eightieth session began with a Speaker’s race, ended with a Speaker’s race, and was consumed in between by the usual mix of nuanced issues and nasty politics. Along the way, a handful of lawmakers put the common good ahead of all else. And a handful of lawmakers didn’t.

Austin Powers

After spending a few days at the Capitol among the operatives and the onlookers, I began to draw some … conclusions.

Eva vs. Goliath

After James and Linda Rowe were killed in a grisly refinery explosion in Texas City in 2005, their wild-child daughter could have taken a modest settlement and started to rebuild her life in a small Louisiana border town. Instead, she chose to fight—and brought a multibillion-dollar oil company to its knees.

Plus:

Doing the Right Thing

Executive editor Mimi Swartz on interviewing Eva Rowe about her fight against oil giant BP.

The Art of the Meal

Five of the best museums in the state have cafes designed to tempt the most refined tastes and sophisticated palates. A few have masterpieces on the menu; others are works in progress.

Columns

Behind the Lines

Everything Is Illuminated

The Best and Worst list explained.

Letter From the High Plains

Land That I Love

Since 2002, Palo Duro Canyon State Park has grown from about 16,000 acres to more than 26,000. That’s a good start.

Don Graham

Dunces of Confederacy

What to do about those controversial statues on the University of Texas at Austin campus.

Plus:

On the Move?

Writer-at-large Don Graham on writing about the Confederate statues at the University of Texas at Austin.

Sarah Bird

Hog Wild

I subject myself to yet another seminal Texas experience: the hunt.

Reporter

Topic A

It Ain’t No Picnic

Willie’s picnic goes AWOL.

The Horse’s Mouth

Making Ice Cream

The CEO of Blue Bell gives us the scoop.

The Cheap Seats

Bronx Cheer

In hate with Roger Clemens.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

“Somebody and Sons.”

Tonnyre says good-bye.

The Texanist

Offering fine advice since 2007

When is it okay to say you’re from Texas?

Hollywood, TX

This Just In

The news about Making News.

Go

Kenney Rocks

My hometown sings a new song.

The Manual

Custom Boots

How to design custom cowboy boots.

Texas Monthly Talks

Lawrence Wright

Lawrence Wright looms and towers.

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

The Filter

Pat's Pick

Vin

The Filter: Dining

New and Noteworthy

Jordan's Pick

Rolling Roadshow Tour

Plus:

An Interview With Tim League and Karrie League

The founders of the Alamo Drafthouse chat about how the indie movie theater got its start.

The Filter: Events

East Meets West

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston curator of contemporary art talks about this month’s new exhibit, Red Hot: Asian Art From the Chaney Family Collection.

Plus:

An Interview With Alison de Lima Greene

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston curator of contemporary art talks about this month’s new exhibit, “Red Hot: Asian Art From the Chaney Family Collection.”

Miscellaneous

Editor’s Letter

I’m With the Brand

Roar of the Crowd

Failure to Launch

Contributors

Steve Brodner, David Courtney & Andrea Valdez, and Bryan Curtis

Web Extra

High Notes

From Amarillo to Austin, the state’s opera companies are staging top-notch productions for longtime fans and newcomers alike. Aria ready?