November 2009

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Features

Ring of Fire

On November 18, 1999, at 2:42 a.m., the most passionately observed collegiate tradition in Texas—if not the world—came crashing down. Nearly sixty people were on top of the Texas A&M Bonfire when the million-pound structure collapsed, killing twelve, wounding dozens more, and eventually leading to the suspension of the ninety-year-old ritual. Now, ten years later, on what would have been Bonfire’s centennial, the Aggies celebrate the history, relive the tragedy, and wrestle over what happens next.

by Pamela Colloff

Plus:

Bonfire Revisited

Watch the making of the cover, as creative director T. J. Tucker talks about reconstructing stack through computer-generated imagery.

Pecan Artists

The best way to go completely nuts this Thanksgiving is with this five-part meal featuring the bounty of our beloved state tree.

by Patricia Sharpe

Below the Surface

In 1996 a powerful South Texas ranching clan accused ExxonMobil of sabotaging wells on the family’s property. Thirteen years, millions of dollars in legal fees, and one state Supreme Court opinion later, the biggest oil field feud of its time is still raging.

by Mimi Swartz

Gone to New York

Bud Shrake’s letters to friends back in Texas during his years in New York show the late novelist in all his ribald, freewheeling glory. And never more alive.

Introduction by Gary Cartwright

Columns

Behind the Lines

Cap and Tirade

Especially in Texas, the fight over carbon restrictions might make health care reform look like, well, a tea party.

by Paul Burka

Plus:

Behind the Lines: Podcast

Paul Burka reads “Cap and Tirade.”

Books

Newspaper Days

Once upon a time, Molly Ivins was just a kid from River Oaks with an internship at the Houston Chronicle. Her time there set her on the path to becoming the most famous firebrand in Texas.

by Bill Minutaglio and W. Michael Smith

Sarah Bird

One Angry Woman

Am I the only person who has always wanted to get picked for jury duty?

Plus:

Sarah Bird: Podcast

Sarah Bird reads “One Angry Woman.”

Letter from King County

Seeing Red

One year after President Obama’s election, what does the world look like in the county that voted against him more overwhelmingly than any other?

by Paul Burka

Reporter

The Horse’s Mouth

Covering Football

Dave Campbell on covering football.

Interview by Brian D. Sweany

Hollywood, TX

Apocalypse Now

Hey, movie people, leave Cormac McCarthy alone!

by Christopher Kelly

Street Smarts

Downtown Llano

Handmade crafts, homey cafes, and cowboy couture make this Hill Country hamlet a browser’s paradise.

by Jordan Breal

The Manual

A Día de los Muertos Altar

How to build a Día de los Muertos altar.

by Andrea Valdez

Plus:

The Manual 2.0

A Native American storyteller and the experts from San Antonio’s Centro Cultural Aztlan teach Andrea Valdez how to build a Día de los Muertos altar.

The Texanist

Offering Fine Advice Since 2007

What’s to be done with annoying neighbors?

by David Courtney

The Working Life

Randy Goode

Artificial Inseminator

As told to Betsy Ellison

Object Lesson

Tony Rancich’s Recording Studio

Tony Rancich’s recording studio.

by Kristie Ramirez

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Reviewed by Mike Shea

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

Reviewed by Jeff McCord

The Filter

Pat’s Pick

Bailey’s Prime Plus

by Patricia Sharpe

The Filter: Dining

New and Noteworthy

Fabi + Rosi European Kitchen, Austin and Tintos Spanish Restaurant & Wine Bar, Houston.

by Patricia Sharpe

Miscellany

Roar of the Crowd

Arrrrr!

Contributors

Ed Gabel and Joe Zeff, Mimi Swartz, and Bill Minutaglio.

Editor’s Letter

Memory of Fire

by Jake Silverstein

Web Exclusives

The Art of Getting Groomed

The opening of the AT&T Performing Arts Center was three nights of award-worthy performances, champagne, and, of course, ambitious frocks.

by Kristie Ramirez

Aggie Muster

By the time Overland’s design to build the Bonfire Memorial was chosen, Bob Shemwell and his team had eighteen months to create a budget, hammer out the portals, create an underground support system, and immortalize twelve kids.

by Lisa Gartner

Fundamental Arguments

On October 26, the first FLDS criminal trial in Texas begins. What legal strategies remain for the defense?

by Katy Vine

Fly Away Home

A prayer of thanks (and some cranberry stuffing) for those that don’t give up hope.

by Donna Xander

Big Surf

From Costa Rica to Nicaragua, all for the big surf.

by Sean Paul Kelley

TRANSCRIPT: “Very Few People Get off of Texas Death Row Alive”

Michael Hall’s exclusive interview with Ernest Willis.

by Michael Hall

Plus:

There but for the Grace of God

Michael Hall’s exclusive interview with Ernest Willis.

The Reaper Doth Protest Too Much

When the president visited Texas A&M, the opposition was waiting.

by Lauren Wolf

The Real McCoys

Following in his brother’s footsteps, Case McCoy is looking to become the next quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.

by Jeff Beckham

Brain Storm

The role of the cerebellum and underlying brain abnormalities in autism.

by Eileen Smith

Warning Shot

Texas parents have the choice to opt their children out of school vaccination requirements based on “reasons of conscience.” But what about the other kids around them?

by Pamela Colloff

Getting Lost

Reviews of two films, The Messenger and How I Got Lost, which premiered at the Austin Film Festival.

by Raquel Villarreal

Finding Texas at the Film Festival

Texas doesn’t get a whole lot of screen time. But at this year’s Austin Film Festival, two smaller films seemed to capture the spirit of the Lone Star State.

by Deg Ronilo

From the Hip

Fun Fun Fun Fest and its post-punk indie sound.

by John Spong

Tomorrow People

Blake Mycoskie, the founder of Shoes for Tomorrow (TOMS), talks about traveling around the world, shoe drops, and expanding the business.

by Kristie Ramirez

Don’t Back Down

Why can’t TCU seem to break into the national sports consciousness?

by Jeff Beckham

It Takes a Texas Village to Raise Spinach

How a local Asian community came together to fight for their way of life.

by Lauren Wolf

Louis, Louis

The CEO of Louis Vuitton’s North American division talks about the new store at NorthPark, Marc Jacobs, and knockoffs.

by Kristie Ramirez

Multimedia

Short Cuts

Everything you ever wanted to know about the Texas governor’s race—in under three minutes.

Bonus Scenes

Watch the making of The Eves, a new horror flick filmed in southeast Texas.

Home of the Brave

A time to grieve, remember, honor, question. Scenes from Fort Hood during the aftermath of a mass shooting on November 5, 2009. Photographs by Bob Daemmrich.