You have to look far and wide to find something positive to say about our beloved business these days, so apologies in advance for bragging about two bits of what can only be described as good news. As previously reported in this space, the magazine industry’s collective newsstand sales were down 6 percent, year over year, in the first half of 2008 — yet in that same period TEXAS MONTHLY was up 16 percent. And what about the second half of 2008? Same song, different verse: Year over year, the industry was down 11 percent, but TEXAS MONTHLY was up 4 percent. Apparently we’re doing something, or more than just one thing, right. Thanks to all of you who spent your hard(er-than-normal)-earned bucks with us.

BTW: Our top three sellers of the year were, in order, BBQ, Willie Nelson, and small-town cafes.