July 2009

Table of Contents

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Features

In the late seventies, Ted Nugent (a.k.a. “the Nuge” or “Uncle Ted”) had the country’s biggest hard-rock touring act—a wild-ass blend of in-your-face energy, obscene language, and a well-placed loincloth. Now he’s the country’s biggest gun rights advocate—and all that’s changed is the loincloth.

It was a new era at the Capitol, with a new Speaker and a new mood of peace, love, and bipartisanship in the war-torn House. But the eighty-first legislative session turned out to be a lot like the eighty that came before it—some heroes, some villains, and enough hot air to last until 2011.

Not that you’re looking for an excuse, but these five original cocktails concocted by Texas bartenders using local liquors are a thoroughly acceptable reason to pour yourself a drink. Or three.

Plus:

Recipe from Justin Beam, Rattlesnake Bar, Dallas.

Recipe from Robert Heugel, Anvil Bar and Refuge, Houston.

Recipe from Tyler Treharne, 2900 Kitchen/Lounge, El Paso.

Recipe from Andrea Brown, Malverde, Austin.

A few of the state’s best mixologists share their secrets to making delicious drinks.

Recipe from Courtney Tissiere, bartender, Swig Martini Bar, San Antonio.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history as the first humans to set foot on the surface of the moon. Forty years later, the researchers, astronauts, engineers, scientists, and NASA officials who made the voyage possible remember the day the Eagle landed.

Plus:

Katy Vine narrates a slide show of images of the historic Apollo 11 mission.

Learn about NASA’s precautionary procedures for Gemini 9. Video courtesy of the Texas Archive of the Moving Image.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made history as the first humans to set foot on the surface of the moon. Forty years later, we celebrate the day the Eagle landed.

Columns

Behind the Lines

It’s time for Texas to start taking better care of people like Darla Deese, a developmentally disabled woman who has spent most of her life in our harrowing state schools.

Plus:

Mimi Swartz reads “Failing Darla.”

Sarah Bird

All my friends are going to be status updates.

Plus:

Sarah Bird reads “Members Only.”

Douglas Brinkley

Teddy Roosevelt acquired a number of skills during his time in Texas, but the most important may have been the ability to brag.

Letter From Refugio

Has an out-of-work Los Angeles musician discovered a sunken Spanish treasure worth hundreds of millions of dollars in a lake near Refugio? Maybe!

Reporter

Texas Monthly Talks

New mayor Julián Castro on San Antonio’s future.

The Horse’s Mouth

John Wells on living off the grid.

Hollywood, TX

How Beyoncé could become a great actress. Seriously.

Street Smarts

Henderson Avenue, Dallas.

Plus:

Take a virtual tour of Stacy Hyde in Dallas’s Henderson Avenue with style editor Kristie Ramirez.

Take a virtual tour of Natsumi Gelato + Frozen Yogurt in Dallas’s Henderson Avenue with style editor Kristie Ramirez.

Take a virtual tour of Again Design Studio in Dallas’s Henderson Avenue with style editor Kristie Ramirez.

The Manual

How to pack a cooler tube.

The Texanist

Propane or charcoal?

Plus:

Video of our resident advice columnist asking the tough questions, like charcoal or propane?

The Working Life

Susie Q., mystery shopper.

Object Lesson

Josh Hamilton’s locker.

Previews+Reviews

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

The best new music from Texas.

The Filter

Pat’s Pick

Austin

The Filter: Dining

Brisa Cocina Mexicana, Houston and Max’s Wine Dive, Austin

Miscellany

Roar of the Crowd

Dan Winters, Patricia Kilday Hart, and Douglas Brinkley.

Editor’s Letter

Web Exclusives

Before her death, Farrah Fawcett achieved what had long eluded her: three-dimensionality.

A tribute to the original Texas bombshell and our favorite angel, Farrah Fawcett.

Multimedia

Recipes

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