Child’s Play

Summer vacation is right around the corner, but that doesn’t mean you should panic. We’ve rounded up 68 of our favorite things to do with your toddlers, teens, and every kid in between. Dance the hokey pokey. Rope a horse. Eat way too many hot dogs. Zip down a waterslide. And yes, feed the animals.

by Suzy Banks, Jordan Breal, Paul Burka, David Courtney, Michael Hall, Skip Hollandsworth, Mimi Swartz and Brian D. Sweany

The Fire That Time

On April 19, 1993, the world watched as the Branch Davidian compound, outside Waco, burned to the ground after a 51-day standoff. Fifteen years later, witnesses and participants—from federal agents to loyal followers of David Koresh—remember what they saw during the deadliest law enforcement operation in U.S. history.

by Pamela Colloff

The Final Frontier

Karl Gebhardt and Gary Hill, two astronomers from the University of Texas at Austin, are racing to solve one of the greatest mysteries in science: What is dark energy? How does it work? Can it explain the origins of the universe? There’s only one problem. Dark energy may not actually exist.

by Karen Olsson

Citizen Cane

Ten years ago I was shot in Mexico City by a street thug who wanted to kill me. Since then, I’ve endured unbelievable pain and learned how to walk again, and I’m thankful for what I have: a new outlook on life, time with my family, and a chance to step back into the ring.

by Jan Reid

Behind the Lines

Fed Up

An FBI investigation is only the latest of El Paso’s problems.

by Paul Burka

Gary Cartwright

Truth and Consequences

Roger Clemens may be worthy of the Congressional testimony Hall of Shame, but should we really be so freaked out about his supposed steroid use?

Letter From Eagle Pass

The Night In Question

Thirty years later, we still don’t know who murdered Border Patrol agent Jose Gamez. Or maybe we do.

by Jesse Bogan

Letter from Stephenville

The Searcher

When a UFO streaks across our skies— c’mon, the truth is out there!—Ken Cherry gets to work.

by Skip Hollandsworth

Sarah Bird

In a Lather

My Petco encounter with a shampoo celebrity.

In the Chute

Let There Be Light

J. M. W. Turner in Dallas; Discovery Green in Houston; Fiesta in S.A.

by Jordan Breal

The Horse’s Mouth

Calling a Baseball Game

Milo Hamilton on calling a baseball game.

Interview by Stacy Hollister

The Cheap Seats

Ticket to Ride

The case against the case against ticket scalping.

by Jason Cohen

The Working Life

Joe Wayland

Oilfield worker.

As told to Paul Burka

Green Guinea Pig

This Old House

Jim Atkinson changes out his insulation.

by Jim Atkinson

The Texanist

Offering fine advice since 2007

Help! My campsite neighbors are making love. Loudly.

by David Courtney

Hollywood, TX

Bombing Iraq

Hollywood loses the Iraq war.

by Christopher Kelly

Street Smarts

Downtown Brenham

The cradle of Blue Bell and bluebonnets.

by Jessica Norman Dupuy

Texquisite Corpse

Twin Wells

Chapter Four: Katherine’s Neck.

by Amanda Eyre Ward

Texas Monthly Talks

Avery Johnson

Avery Johnson on how to be an NBA coach.

Interview by Evan Smith

Music Review

Live Cactus!

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Music Review

Just Us Kids

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Music Review

Dog of Love

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

Pat’s Pick

Soma

Houston

by Patricia Sharpe

The Filter: Dining

New and Noteworthy

Café Pita, Houston and Rise no1, Dallas

by Patricia Sharpe

Contributors

Hope Rodriguez, Michael O’Brien, and Gary Cartwright

Roar of the Crowd

Tap Dance

Editor’s Letter

The Audacity of Hope

by Evan Smith

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Interview by Mike Shea

The Fire That Time: Slideshow

From the survivors, to the families, to the ATF and FBI, the images of the 51-day standoff at Mount Carmel are still vivid in their minds.

Held Hostage: Video

“If you even suspect that an individual is delusional, you don’t enter into their delusion. Because you’ll never win.”

Ice Age: Video

What could be more fun than hopscotch and burgers with Dad?

Cane and Able

Evan Smith talks with Jan Reid about that fateful night in Mexico City—the night that changed everything.

Quantum Leap

University of Texas astonomers search for the origins of the universe.

Behind the Lines: Podcast

Paul Burka reads “Fed Up.”

In a Lather: Podcast

Sarah Bird reads “In a Lather.”

Twin Wells Chapter 4: Podcast

Katherine’s Neck read by Amanda Eyre Ward.