May 2012
The Drop Everything List
A Robert Johnson Tribute, International Surfing Day, Juneteenth, and Cocktail Week in Dallas . . .
The Drop Everything List
Concerto in Eight Courses, Rodney Crowell, and the Texas Blueberry Festival . . .
Shawn Colvin’s Survival Story
The Austin-based singer-songwriter talks about her new autobiography, Diamond in the Rough, and her sixth studio album.
The Indie Film Scene of Dallas
The city is home base for a growing community of young filmmakers, who are making their mark on the independent film scene.
The Drop Everything List
Shuttlebration, the Lone Star Uke Fest, and A Tribute to Elvis . . .
Five New Albums You Shouldn’t Miss
Including new sets from Alejandro Escovedo, Rhett Miller, and more.
The Drop Everything List
The Homegrown Music and Arts Festival, Jimmie Vaughan, and the South Texas Heritage Center . . .
A Q&A With Justin Carrasquillo
The Los Angeles–based photographer spent more than twenty days driving all across the state and tells us what he saw.
It’s Not About the Guv
There’s more to Texas politics than Rick Perry. Gail Collins's new book demonstrates that the Northeastern media establishment doesn't understand that.
Historic Downtown Galveston
Historic downtown Galveston
New + Noteworthy
Chicken Scratch and Papi Tino's.
The Texanist: What Are Some Texas Rites of Passage?
Violent mockingbirds, farm-to-market roads, football versus lacrosse, and the incredible nerve of storekeepers who charge for spit cups.
The Party Never Ends!
You might think they’re invincible, but Texas Republicans could soon find themselves in peril. At least that’s what Steve Munisteri says. And he should know.
Roar of the Crowd
“And with that I threw in a big dip of Copenhagen, cracked open a cold Lone Star, and knew I was home.”
Contributors
Justin Carrasquillo, Sam Martin, and Joe Nick Patoski.
Uchi
FIRST COMES THE ARCHED eyebrow. Then the significant pause. Then the question: “Well, how was it?” This is the reaction of my Austin friends when they hear I’ve been to the Houston location of Uchi, Texas’s restaurant of the moment. Yes, Austin is eaten up with curiosity and jealousy, poor
Jennifer Walden, Plastic Surgeon
Walden, who grew up in Austin, was the salutatorian of her class at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. After completing an aesthetic surgery fellowship at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital, she built a successful practice in New York City, then returned to her hometown in
Singing Opera
Jay Hunter Morris on singing opera
Checking in with Samir Patel, Five-Time Scripps National Spelling Bee Contestant
Samir, now an 18-year-old college student, weighs in on this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee.
When in doubt, produce an internal poll
I can’t believe the Dewhurst campaign resorted to the old internal poll gimmick. Accrording to the Statesman, Mike Baselice has written a memo indicating why Dewhurst will defeat Ted Cruz in the runoff for U.S. senator: Recent internal campaign polling found that Dewhurst has a 65 percent favorable
Hell’s Kitchen Hosts Casting Call in San Antonio on June 2
Hey Texas chefs, do you like being told your cuisine is inedible? Do you like being chastised in your own kitchen every five seconds? Do you like being driven to the edge of tears? Well gas up and head to San Antonio this weekend: Hell’s Kitchen is hosting an open casting
Dewhurst falls short of the magic number
If there was one refrain I heard from the Dewhurst camp, it was that they wanted to win without a runoff. But they didn’t make it. From the start of the evening, it was pretty clear that Dewhurst was going to fall short. The closest he got was 47.3%. Hours
Straus posts solid win but chairs struggle
Straus’s margin of victory was of landslide proportions. Despite having more than $100,000 spent against him, and a blizzard of negative mailers, he cruised to a decisive victory over Matt Beebe. But the big story of the election is the carnage that befell Straus’s chairs. Vicki Truitt, Tuffy Hamilton, and
Ames Jones misses runoff
Now what? Texans for Lawsuit Reform invested a ton of money in Elizabeth Ames Jones, their handpicked candidate to defeat state senator Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio. But Ames Jones failed to make the runoff, leaving physician Donna Campbell to oppose Wentworth. Jones is well known in San Antonio, in
Want to “Hangout” with Tyson Cole and the Uchi/Uchiko team?
For those who have ever craved an inside look at the culinary creativity of the Uchi and Uchiko kitchens, you now have your chance. The team is hosting a virtual Google Hangout on the Zagat Google+ page today at 2
P. Terry’s Unveils Two New Menu Items
Calling all bacon-burger lovers: P. Terry’s is about to make your dreams come true. The megapopular Austin burger joint is introducing applewood-smoked bacon on its menu at its new location in The Village at Westlake shopping center. This
How to Speak Spanish and Get Free Pizza
The Dallas-based Pizza Patrón chain has received criticism for its June 5 promotion giving a free pizza to anyone who orders in Spanish. But how hard is that, really?
Quorum Report: Bryan Hughes will run for speaker
Couldn’t Hughes wait until the election was over before the speaker’s race began? The July 31 runoffs now loom large, as they will be battles between the Straus- and anti-Straus factions of the Republican party in the House. The party is undergoing a purification, driven by Perry’s endorsements and alliances,
San Antonio Mayor Defends City Against Big, Mean Bully Charles Barkley
The basketball star repeatedly slammed San Antonio, driving Mayor Julián Castro to film a short video about the virtues of the Alamo City.
Endangered species list
These are the House incumbents whom I believe are in trouble as election day approaches: Sid Miller — He blew a huge lead and now appears to be headed for a runoff. Incumbents seldom fare well in runoffs. Jim Landtroop — Same story, second verse. An incumbent in a runoff.
Montgomery County Judge Jails Truant Honor Student
UPDATE: Judge Lanny Moriarty has vacated Diane Tran's conviction. The Willis High School junior has repeatedly missed school because she also works two jobs.
Expect close races
Close races are the norm in redistricting years because candidates must communicate with large numbers of people they have never represented before. They don’t know their constituents and vice versa. The most effective campaign tool is direct mail, and candidates may not know what their opponents are saying about them
Save the Date: Texas Monthly BBQ Festival Tickets Go on Sale July 26
The first year we had no idea if our BBQ festival would even draw a hundred attendees. Really. We were that naive. Well, it sold out in hours. (One of the big draws was Snow’s Barbecue, pictured at its home base in Lexington.) The second year, we increased attendance from
Public Policy Polling on the Senate race
The Tribune has the numbers: Dewhurst 46% Cruz 29% Leppert 15% James 3% I was not a believer in the recent UT/Tribune poll that showed Dewhurst’s lead down to single digits (40% to 31%). I don’t believe that the race has ever been this close. The PPP numbers seem much
Gone Swimmin’
We're enjoying our holiday weekend. Hope you enjoy yours.
Where is Perry on Senate leadership issue? Where is Cruz?
There doesn’t seem to be much love lost between the governor and the state’s soon-to-be senior U.S. Senator John Cornyn. When Perry was contemplating a race for president in 2011, Cornyn’s comment was a lukewarm, “The field is already pretty full. There have been a lot of people working at
Turnout could reach 1.4-1.5 million
This number comes from pollster Mike Baselice, based on high turnouts in Harris County. I’m surprised, because I thought there would be a lot of apathy in the absence of a presidential race. This level of participation would be good for David Dewhurst, because it would indicate that a lot
East Side King & Jarro Cafe
Yesterday, we introduced you to John T. Edge’s newest book, The Truck Food Cookbook. The culinary author traveled across the country to dine at some of the nation’s most beloved mobile food establishments, including East Side King of Austin and Jarro Cafe in Houston, to
Sweet Potato Bisque from Hillside Farmacy
Few chefs command the kitchen as confidently and calmly as Sonya Coté. As the executive chef of East Side Show Room and Hillside Farmacy in Austin, she has enlivened the local food scene and transformed it into more than
Juárez Back on the Map. Literally.
Juárez, which had been scrubbed from the free tourist maps distributed in El Paso, will be included on the 2013 set of maps put out by the El Paso Business Region Chamber of Commerce.
Eat St. Filming in Houston
Listen up Houston foodies: Eat St. will be filming at a number of mobile food trailers, trucks, and carts in the city from May 24-29. Some of the trucks and trailers involved include The Modular,
Who’s Kinkier? Dallas or Houston?
There are 1,101 Houstonians on the waiting list to read one of the 38 library copies of 50 Shades of Grey. But the libraries of North Texas have stocked 148 copies and still have 829 people on hold.
UT regents post notice for meeting tomorrow
Patricia Kilday Hart reported the development in the Houston Chronicle blog about two hours ago. She writes: Remember those rumors that the University of Texas Board of Regents were considering firing UT-Austin President Bill Powers for “insubordination” after he mildly complained that they rejected a proposed tuition increase?
The Truck Food Cookbook
For the past few years, food trailers, trucks, and carts have rivaled the traditional brick-and-mortar building as primary sources of delicious, affordable modern cuisine. In fact, take a look around the state of Texas and you’ll see cities like Houston, Austin, and even Dallas jumping on the mobile food wagon
A Love Poem to Donald Driver, Winner of ‘Dancing With the Stars’
Senior editor Michael Hall, a lifelong Packers fan, writes a love letter to the Houstonian, who hoisted the mirror ball-trophy on last night's DWTS finale.
Fightin’ Words: Progress Texas vs. TPPF Over Virtual Schools
Wonks ahoy! Are virtual schools good for a students? Conflicting reports, one fromt he influential conservative think tank the Texas Public Policy Foudnation, and a reply from Progress Texas.
Deep Fried Samoas to Join Pantheon of Deep Fried Things at State Fair
The cookies, known to most Texans as Caramel deLites, will be fried to mark the Girl Scout's 100th Anniversary.
Perry goes on TV to tout Dewhurst
Here’s what he has to say: Texas Republicans have an important election on May the 29th. We have a lot to be proud of. That’s why I’m proud to endorse David Dewhurst,” Perry says in the 30-second TV spot. “David Dewhurst repeatedly cut spending. David strongly opposes a
Flaco Jimenez and Brother Santiago Reunited
The two brothers, legendary conjunto players with completely different styles who had not shared a stage since 1982, played at San Antonio's Tejanjo Conjunto Festival over the weekend.