Water, Water Everywhere

From kayaking on Town Lake to mountain biking around Joe Pool Lake, from bass fishing on Lake Fork to horseback riding on the shores of Lake Whitney, here are some of our favorite things to do in, on, and around Texas lakes.

by Jordan Breal, David Courtney, S. C. Gwynne, Michael Hall, Skip Hollandsworth, Charlie Llewellin, Patricia Busa McConnico, Katharyn Rodemann, John Spong and Brian D. Sweany

The Truth Is Out There

Spoiler alert: The mythic Marfa lights may not be real. But there’s no way to know for sure, and that’s why they’re cool.

by Michael Hall

He’s Sisyphus, and He Approves This Message

Gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell pushes a rock up a hill.

by S. C. Gwynne

The Gangstas of Godwin Park

Whatever else you can say about it, the life and death of Bellaire High School junior Jonathan Finkelman is a tragic tale of drugs, money, race, and MySpace.

by Mimi Swartz

It’s Hard Out Here For a Pipkin

Have you heard the good news? My career as a bit player in Hollywood continues apace.

by Turk Pipkin

Money Talks

Wealthy Republican donor James Leininger on why he supports school vouchers and opposes apostates in his party.

by Evan Smith

Behind the Lines

Blown Away

Rita, the forgotten hurricane.

by Paul Burka

Sarah Bird

Step Lively

My dancing feet. And, hopefully, yours.

H. W. Brands

Shoot the Messenger

I thought I’d be teaching middle- schoolers something about Texas history. I didn’t count on what they’d teach me.

Letter From Plano

Shabby Chic

Will the upscale shoppers of Plano really buy what Wal-Mart is selling?

by Katy Vine

Virginia Postrel

Here’s Looking at You, Kidney

How—and why—I became an organ donor.

FAQ

Crude Awakening

Is it okay to hate Exxon Mobil?

by Brian D. Sweany

Texas Monthly Talks

Betty Flores

Betty Flores on border security—and insecurity.

Interview by Evan Smith

Minister of Health

Welcome To the 03

Why ozone is indeed a menace.

by Jim Atkinson

The Horse’s Mouth

Going to the World Cup

Clint Dempsey’s World Cup runneth over.

Interview by Laura Griffin

Topic A

The Enron Show

Scenes from the Enron reality show.

by Mimi Swartz

Buy This Now

Cinch It

Big old buckles for dear old dad.

by Amy Prince

Faith Bases

Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

William Martin reviews our places of worship.

by William Martin

Hollywood, TX

Royal Flush

Ignore the critics. See The King.

by Christopher Kelly

A Soldier’s Story

“Sir, he wasn’t really lying.”

I have only a few weeks to go.

by Jonathan Moss

Street Smarts

Southtown, San Antonio

The eclectic artiness of San Antonio’s Southtown.

by Pamela Colloff

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

Pat’s Pick

Tryst

by Patricia Sharpe

Roar of the Crowd

Seventy-five and Counting

Editor’s Letter

Lights Out?

by Evan Smith

Splash!

Articles editor Brian D. Sweany talks about editing this month’s cover story on lakes.

Interview by David Kucinskas

For Whom Bell Tolls

Executive editor S. C. Gwynne on writing about gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell.

Interview by David Kucinskas

Let There Be Lights

Senior editor Michael Hall on seeing (and not seeing) the mysterious Marfa lights.

Interview by David Kucinskas

Digital Underground

Executive editor Mimi Swartz talks about Houston’s Bellaire High School and a potent combination: teenagers, drugs, and the Internet.

Interview by Patricia Busa McConnico

Readers Speak Out

More of your responses to the April cover story, “75 Things We Love About Texas”.

Feeling Saucy?

by Allison Avery

Happy Trails

In Georgetown, people know bees.

by Juliana A. Torres

Texas History 101

At the end of World War II, Texas was “home” to more than 78,000 enemy prisoners living in POW camps.

by Megan Adams

Beef on a Stick

Books That Cook

Reviewed by