Insider’s Guide to the Rodeo

Insider’s Guide to the Rodeo Everything you always wanted to know about the rodeo but were afraid to ask, including the ultimate guide to the city's biggest party, you and your boots, the Buckaroo Bucket List (10 things every rodeo-goer <em>must</em> do), a guide to fried food, and much more! Plus, an in-depth look at the Woodlands, the contentious future of abortion, and a winter trip to the Rio Grande valley.

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Rodeo Royalty

The Return of Reba

A self-described “third-generation Rodeo brat,” the country icon prepares to make her 18th appearance in Houston.

02/02/2014 By Peter Holley

Index

Rodeo Houston by the Numbers

How many pounds of chocolate-covered bacon do people eat!?

02/02/2014 By Katharine Shilcutt

Rodeo Clinics

When Cowboys Get Hurt

What? It’s just losing a finger.

02/02/2014 By Peter Holley

Insiders Guide to the Rodeo

Our Buckaroo Bucket List

The top 10 things every Houstonian must do at the Livestock Show & Rodeo

02/02/2014 By Amber Ambrose

Magritte

This Is Not an Exhibition

The Menil Collection salutes René Magritte.

02/02/2014 By Kelly Klaasmeyer

History

The Magna Carta Comes to HMNS

Catch a rare glimpse of one of democracy’s founding documents.

02/02/2014 By Michael Hardy

Meet your Meat

The Anatomy of a Stellar Steer

What turns an everyday bovine into a winner?

02/02/2014 By Catherine Matusow

First Impressions

Why Yes, This Is My First Rodeo

A rodeo novice confronts his prejudices (plus tips for rodeo rookies).

02/02/2014 By Michael Hardy

Best of Houstonia

Feature

Insider’s Guide to the Woodlands

The Woodlands grows and grows, and maybe gets real.

02/02/2014

It's On!

Insider’s Guide to the Rodeo

Everything you wanted to know about the rodeo but were afraid to ask.

02/02/2014

Eat & Drink

Go Team!

6 Sweet Sports Bars to Watch the Rockets Win Tonight

Looking for a place to watch the game? Look no further.

02/02/2014 By Joshua Justice

The E is Silent

The Best Grilles (and Grills)

Why do Houstonians like the name “grill” so much? Probably has something to do with our love of meat.

02/02/2014 By Robb Walsh

Meat, Meat, Meat

Houston’s Top Charcuterie Destinations

The best places to get your coppa, finocchiona, and calabrese on.

02/02/2014 By Jeremy Parzen

Wine

Cowboys and Cabernet

The wine round-up is one of the most successful events at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

02/02/2014 By Katharine Shilcutt

Recipes

Recipe: Quail in Rose Petal Sauce

This romantic meal for two is a recipe for an intimate evening.

02/02/2014 By Robb Walsh

Food Science

There’s a New Grapefruit in Town

Thanks to agricultural researchers at Texas A&M Citrus Center, grapefruit has a bright red future.

02/02/2014 By Robb Walsh

Snickerdoodles

The Pastry Shop That Made Us Understand Kickstarter

When it comes to crowdfunding, Houston certainly has its priorities in order.

02/02/2014 By Scott Vogel

Fried & Gone to Heaven

A Rodeo Food Preview

From ice cream–stuffed cupcakes and meat sundaes to salads, this year’s vendors have something for everybody.

02/02/2014 By Katharine Shilcutt

split-decision

Whither the Rodeo?

“The Houston Rodeo is eternally authentic and happily fake, exactly like the city in which it was born.”

02/02/2014 By Scott Vogel

Home & Real Estate

Toddlers sans Tiaras

Childrens’ Room Themes, Outside the Box

These fresh approaches will inspire you to think outside the pink-and-blue box when designing for your new arrival.

02/02/2014 By Kerry H. Photography by Max Burkhalter

News & City Life

The Drawl

Hole New World

Pothole of the Week is a good idea, but why stop there?

02/02/2014 Illustrations by Lucky 11 Studios

History

Rodeo History: A Ten-Gallon Tale

The histories of this town and its rodeo are tightly intertwined.

02/02/2014 By John Nova Lomax

Abortion

Old Fight, New Rules

Alternately energized and exasperated by the latest abortion legislation, each side gears up for the battle ahead.

02/02/2014 By Kerry H.

Arts & Culture

Arts in The Woodlands: Beyond the Pavilion

In The Woodlands, cultural offerings begin and end with the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Is the public hungry for more?

02/02/2014 By Michael Hardy

Index

Survey: What the Woodlanders Said

We polled scores of Woodlandians to find out exactly how they feel about the town they call home.

02/02/2014 Illustrations by Alese Pickering By Katharine Shilcutt

Entertainment

What To Do in the Woodlands

When in The Woodlands, do as the Woodlanders do.

02/02/2014 By Peter Holley

Shopping

The Woodlands: What’s in Store

Where there’s wealth, there’s good stuff to buy.

02/02/2014 By Kerry H.

Fine Dining

Best Restaurants: The Woodlands Edition

Where to eat when you’re up north

02/02/2014 By Albert Nurick

Fine Dining

Wagyu in The Woodlands?

They’ve come a long way, baby.

02/02/2014 By Katharine Shilcutt

The Woodlands

The Woodlands Grows and Grows—and Maybe Gets Real

At 40 years old, The Woodlands has made great strides in livability—and broken out of its ‘cookie-cutter’ reputation.

02/02/2014 By Katharine Shilcutt

Charity

How Much Longer Can One Man Feed Millions?

A Brazoria County rice farmer has been quietly feeding the poor for decades—but his crops won't be around forever.

02/02/2014 By Katharine Shilcutt

Houston Zoo

The Elephants Are Coming!

A baby elephant is on its way to Houston, but it’s taking its time to get here.

02/02/2014 By Peter Holley

Gun Rights

Did Rice University Push This Man Out Because of His Politics?

Kyle Coplen was an adjunct professor at Rice. He also wants to give a gun to every woman in town.

02/02/2014 By Peter Holley

Ice House

February’s Perfect Party

This month’s Perfect Party is a potluck—these guests simply have too much to bring to the table.

02/02/2014 By Catherine Matusow

Interview

Not Everyone’s Astrodome Memories Are G-Rated

As we debate the Dome’s future, its darker, more mysterious past hangs in the balance

02/02/2014 By Catherine Matusow

Transportation

Biting the Bullet (Train)

Houston may have the distinction of being the first city in America served by high-speed rail. So what if it only goes to Dallas?

02/02/2014 By John Lomax

Style & Shopping

Spur of the Moment

The Rodeo’s Finest Wares

Becoming a vendor at the rodeo is a much-coveted and difficult-to-achieve prize. Here are our editor’s favorites.

02/02/2014 By Amber Ambrose

Wrist Banned

The Barbecue Cook-Off, Populist No More

The World Championship Barbecue Cook-off is an exclusive affair (unless you know the right people).

02/02/2014 By Robb Walsh

Elements of Style

She’s One Crafty Lady

Stephanie Lienhard longs for the days when men were men—who wore shoes.

02/02/2014 Photography by Felix Sanchez By Sarah Gabbart

Clutch City

The Fast & the Fur-ious

February brings some fuzzy faux pieces that work from Montrose to Minnesota.

02/02/2014 Photography by Audra Oden By Katie McNew

Online Dating

Looking for Love in All the Online Places

Our intrepid reporter tries every online dating service so you don’t have to.

02/02/2014 By Michael Hardy

Travel & Outdoors

Travel

It’s Grapefruit Season in the Valley

The water may be too cold to swim, but fresh fruit, migratory birds, and other wonders abound.

02/02/2014 By Robb Walsh

Insider’s Guide to the Rodeo

In this issue:

Arts & Culture

Best of Houstonia

Eat & Drink

Editor’s Note

Home & Real Estate

News & City Life

Style & Shopping

Travel & Outdoors