May 2009
Table of Contents
Features
Texas Monthly BrainstormBuild more schools, clone Willie Nelson, get everyone high-speed Internet, raise chickens, hold nonpartisan primaries, curb sprawl, and 76 other serious, inspiring, far-fetched, and provocative ideas about how to make Texas an even better place from some of the brightest bulbs we know. Plus:What’s the Big Idea?How to make the Lone Star State even better. How to Make Texas a Better PlaceA joint production of KUT and Texas Monthly on the future of Texas. Still LifeA violent tackle in a high school football game paralyzed John McClamrock for life. His mother made sure it was a life worth living. Plus:A Life Worth LivingSkip Hollandsworth narrates a slide show of images of John McClamrock, who was paralyzed during a high school football game in 1973. |
Holy SmokeFor photographer Wyatt McSpadden, the barbecue joints of Texas are soot-stained temples of meat and their pitmasters solemn keepers of an old-time religion. Plus:Smokin’Wyatt McSpadden narrates a slide show of images of some of the state’s best barbecue joints from his new book, Texas BBQ. The Dark KnightInside the fantastic rise and catastrophic fall of Sir Allen Stanford—that high-flying egomaniac with the offshore bank, gold helicopter, Caribbean island, and knack for disposing of other people’s money. |
Columns
Behind the LinesElephant DungPolitical grandstanding, no leadership—is this a dismal legislative session or what? Kinky FriedmanGomer And MeYou’ll never guess how I came to break bread with TV’s best-loved Marine. |
Letter From LubbockHigh Plains SnifterAfter 118 years, Lubbock finally appears ready to allow liquor stores inside the city limits—unless a shutter salesman and a handful of Baptists can turn back the clock. |
Reporter
Street SmartsTenth Street, McAllen |
The Filter
Miscellany
Roar of the CrowdFashion Faux PasContributorsLiz Lomax, Michael Webber, and The Texanist—a.k.a. assistant editor David Courtney. |
Editor’s LetterGet Smart |
Web Exclusives
Texas Monthly BrainstormImproving the state of our state. Eyewitness NewsThe Legislature takes up photo and live lineup identification procedures in criminal cases. Singin’ the BluesGary Clark, Jr., the 25-year-old blues musician, goes Hollywood. When he’s not opening for an Etta James concert. Testing My PatienceWhy are so many people spending so much time taking Facebook’s inane quizzes? Circle of InfluenzaIf you need an example of how the world can change in an instant, here is a small blow by blow. TEXAS MONTHLY Receives National Magazine Award for General ExcellenceThe magazine has received 18 nominations over the past ten years and 54 nominations in all. |
The C-ListFinding a room of my own on Craigslist. Remembering the FallenHonoring Texans killed in the line of duty. In TreatmentDiversionary programs such as drug courts, which provide treatment-based alternatives for non-violent criminals to prisons, remain critically underfunded. Last Call at Poodie’s BarPoodie Locke, longtime stage manager for Willie Nelson, died Wednesday at the age of 60. Mad to PlayFamed Texas-based guitarist Stephen Bruton was a man who knew how to count his blessings. Risk ReductionIs there a place in Texas for drug needle exchange programs? The Lost BoysCan a former member of a vicious Houston gang leave crime behind and build a new life for himself? |
Multimedia
Street Cam: McAllen’s Tenth StreetTake a virtual tour of Barn White. Street Cam: McAllen’s Tenth StreetTake a virtual tour of Uniques. Street Cam: McAllen’s Tenth StreetTake a virtual tour of Melissa Guerra. Street Cam: McAllen’s Tenth StreetTake a virtual tour of Roosevelt’s at 7. Street Cam: McAllen’s Tenth StreetTake a virtual tour of Quinta Mazatlan. The Green Room: DOUGLAS BRINKLEYBehind the scenes with historian and author Douglas Brinkley. |
The Green Room: SONNY ROLLINSBehind the scenes with legendary jazz musician Sonny Rollins. Politics Roundup (Friday, May 15th 2009)Harvey Kronberg of the Quorum Report joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics. Politics Roundup (Friday, May 8th 2009)Peggy Fikac of the San Antonio Express-News joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics. Politics Roundup (Friday, May 1st 2009)The Statesman’s Jason Embry joins Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics. Politics Roundup (Friday, April 24th 2009)Evan Smith, Paul Burka, and Patricia Kilday Hart to discuss the week in politics. |
