Home Plates

The heritage, splendor, and proper preparation of the ten dishes every Texan should be able to cook from scratch, from smoked brisket and migas to fried catfish and bacon-wrapped dove. Skillet and shotgun not included.

by June Naylor, Katharyn Rodemann and Patricia Sharpe

The Lost Boys

It was the most shocking crime of its day, 27 boys from the same part of town kidnapped, tortured, and killed by an affable neighbor named Dean Corll. Forty years later, it remains one of the least understood—or talked about—chapters in Houston's history.

by Skip Hollandsworth

Tusk!

For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by mammoths, those giant, prehistoric creatures that once roamed Texas. So I decided to go looking for them.

by Stephen Harrigan

The Last Blast

Few things are as majestic as the launch of the space shuttle. But after nearly thirty years, NASA is sending up its final orbiters. Here's the view from up close.

by Al Reinert

Kinky Friedman

My E-piphany

If Tahitian sailors could find Hawaii using only their testicles, I ought to be able to survive the modern world without a computer. But, hell, it looks like I can't.

Letter From Matamoros

Dead Line

As the Mexican drug cartels have waged war along the border, they have also developed a disciplined approach to managing the press.

by John Burnett

Behind the Lines

Old College Try

Rick Perry's quiet war on higher ed.

by Paul Burka

The Texanist

Offering fine advice since 2007

Nicknames, parental discretion, summer camp, and the best way to talk about breast enlargement.

by David Courtney

The Horse’s Mouth

Selling High-end Women’s Fashion

Mickey Rosmarin on selling high-end women's fashion.

Interview by Mimi Swartz

The Working Life

Tracie Ferguson, 49

Tracie Ferguson, booking agent.

As told to Megan Giller

The Manual

Attending a Square Dance

How to square dance.

by Andrea Valdez

Object Lesson

Joe Straus’s Desk

The Speaker lets us into his office.

by Kristie Ramirez

Street Smarts

Historic Downtown Abilene

You can eat a good steak here in cowboy country—and take in some fine art while you’re at it.

by Jordan Breal

Music Review

Apocalypse

A new album by Bill Callahan.

by Jeff McCord

Music Review

Here We Go Again: Celebrating the Genius of Ray Charles

A tribute album by Willie Nelson, Wynton Marsalis, and Norah Jones.

by Jeff McCord

Artist Interview

Los Lonely Boys

On their new album, Rockpango, and more.

Interview by Jeff Salamon

Hollywood, TX

Desperate Diva

Is Eva Longoria doomed to be tabloid fodder the rest of her days?

by Christopher Kelly

Book Review

Swamp Think

Joe R. Lansdale has made a career out of a hard-boiled vision of East Texas.

by Steven L. Davis

Pat’s Pick

Ava Kitchen and Whiskey Bar

Houston

by Patricia Sharpe

Pat’s Pick

New and Noteworthy

Philippe and Haddington's.

by Patricia Sharpe

Editor’s Letter

Holy Frijole

by Jake Silverstein

Roar of the Crowd

Contributors

June Naylor, John Burnett, and Al Reinert.

Taste of Texas

Read a Q&A with Patricia Sharpe.

Interview by Layne Lynch

An Excerpt From Devil Red

by Joe R. Lansdale

An Excerpt From Llano Estacado: An Island in the Sky

"Readings," by Sandra Scofield with Jessica Scofield.

The Drop Everything List

The Texas Tornados, the Festival of Ideas, Becoming Kinky: The World According to Kinky Friedman, and the Texas Pinball Festival . . .

by Michael Hoinski

Elizabeth Taylor’s Summer in Marfa

One Texan’s tribute to Liz.

by Kirby F. Warnock

A Closer Look at One of Dean Corll’s Victims

Dorothy Hilligiest's son David disappeared one day in 1971. She spent her days and nights searching for him, following leads, and eagerly awaiting his return. And then she found out about Dean Corll, one of the most prolific serial killers in U.S. history.

by Skip Hollandsworth

The Houston Mass Murders: What Really Happened

A Q&A with Skip Hollandsworth, author of “The Lost Boys.”

Interview by Austin Kurth

The Drop Everything List

The Ennis Bluebonnet Trails, the Llano Fiddle Fest, the Poteet Strawberry Festival, and the Kilgore Rangerettes . . .

by Michael Hoinski

Kitchen Confidential

Josh Watkins, the chef at the Carillon, in Austin, on Dana Cowin, doughnut holes, and what makes a perfect dish.

Interview by Vi-An Nguyen and Kevin Sullivan

Latest News on the Corll Investigation

Researchers have discovered a mistaken identity and another possible victim.

by Skip Hollandsworth

The Drop Everything List

Ted Nugent, Fiesta San Antonio, the Texas Open, and the Prairie Chicken Festival . . .

by Michael Hoinski

The Drop Everything List

Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit, George Saunders, the Old Settler’s Music Festival, and the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival . . .

by Michael Hoinski

Smoked Brisket

Think you know how to cook like a Texan? Pitmaster Aaron Franklin shows us how it’s done.

Produced by Pamela Hastings

Remembering Liz

A slide show featuring archival images of Elizabeth Taylor from the summer of 1955 when she filmed Giant, in Marfa.

Liz Taylor Home Movie

An 8mm film of Elizabeth Taylor shot in Marfa in 1955 by local department store owner Bill Christopher.

Grilled Ribeye

Think you know how to cook like a Texan? Chef Larry McGuire, of Lamberts Downtown Barbecue, shows us how it's done.

Produced by Pamela Hastings

On the Border

NPR correspondent John Burnett talks about the Gulf cartel and what it's like to be a journalist in Matamoros. 

Produced by Pamela Hastings

Chicken-fried Steak

Think you know how to cook like a Texan? Chef Grady Spears shows us how it’s done. 

Produced by Pamela Hastings

Migas

Think you know how to cook like a Texan? Chef Lisa Wong shows us how it’s done. 

Produced by Pamela Hastings

A Lost Boys Slide Show

In December 1970 two teenage boys disappeared from the Heights neighborhood in Houston. Then another and another and another. A slide show of images from the state's most horrific mass murder.

The Rock House Fire

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, a wildfire began west of Marfa. In 48 hours it burned more than 60,000 acres, destroyed fifty homes, and killed herds of livestock. As of this publication, the fire has not yet been contained. These heartbreaking photos were shot by local photographer Alberto Tomas Halpern of the Big Bend Sentinel, www.bigbendnow.com.

Discovery

Photographs of the final launch of Discovery, which blasted off at 4:53:24 p.m. (EST) on February 24, 2011.

Photographs by Dan Winters

Crisp Pork Belly With Diablo Glaze, Fried Mint, and Asian Pear Salad

From Chef Josh Watkins of the Carillon, in Austin.