This Week in Texas: Texans dominate the James Beard semifinalist list

What Texans need to know to stay in the know. No Images? [Click here]( [Texas Tech University]( [Texas Monthly]( [This Week in Texas] What Texans need to know to stay in the know February 18, 2018 [Texas Chefs Claim 20 Spots on James Beard Semifinalist List ]( BY PATRICIA SHARPE Houston and Austin got the most nods, but the biggest surprise is that the revered Tootsie Tomanetz of Snow’s BBQ is up for Best Chef: Southwest! [Read Story]( OUR TOP STORIES [Spring Break Itinerary: The Best of West Texas]( What to do, where to eat, and more if you’re heading to Fort Davis, Marfa, Marathon, and/or Big Bend this season. [Read Story]( [The Johnny Manziel Redemption Tour Is Officially Underway]( The former A&M star appeared on ’Good Morning America’ on Monday to ask for a second chance. [Read Story]( [A First Look at Austin’s Weirdest Homes]( A new book out later this month showcases some of the city’s most outrageous, wacky, and whimsical dwellings. [Read Story]( [Mark Cuban Will Raffle Off Mavs Tickets For Millennials Moving to Dallas]( Now’s your chance to see the last-place NBA team in person for free, a $6 value. [Read Story]( [Texas Tech University]( [Texas Republicans Escalate Their War—on Each Other]( This primary season, the struggle between tea party and moderate Republicans is getting even more pointed. [Read Story]( [Talk Like a Texan: What Do We Mean By “Fair to Middlin'”?]( It’s better than good—at least if you’re talking about cotton quality. [Read Story]( [What H-E-B’s Acquisition of Favor Means for Both Companies]( The venerable grocery chain purchased the food delivery startup for an undisclosed amount. [Read Story]( [Ted Cruz Lashes Out at Fellow Republicans Over Immigration]( Senator Ted Cruz told the Senate that Republicans did not campaign to grant amnesty to undocumented immigrants. [Read Story]( [Tastemakers: Austin]( [Tastemakers: Austin]( Supported by [Kissing Tree]( For the third installment of our video series,“Tastemakers: A Local’s Guide to Our Favorite Cities,” we go along for a ride in professional BMX rider Aaron Ross's 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera as he spends a fun-and food-filled day in his hometown, from hitting golf balls to enjoying his favorite grilled cheese. [Watch now]( EAT LIKE A TEXAN [Snow’s Pitmaster Tootsie Tomanetz Reacts to Her James Beard Semifinalist Nod]( BY DANIEL VAUGHN For the third time in four years, the prestigious restaurant and chef awards recognize barbecue pitmasters. [Read Story]( WEEKEND READS [Unveiling Ellsworth Kelly’s ‘Austin’]( BY MICHAEL AGRESTA The debut of a destination showpiece on the University of Texas campus marks a turning point for the Capital City. [Read Story]( FROM THE ARCHIVES [Gotta Lubbock]( BY MICHAEL HALL Long before Austin was the Live Music Capital of the World, a cotton-pickin’ High Plains city put Texas on the map. From Buddy Holly to Jimmie Dale Gilmore, an oral history of the state’s most storied scene. [Read Story]( [Texas Tech University]( [Subscribe to Texas Monthly and Save!]( Get the best of Texas with Texas Monthly. [SUBSCRIBE TODAY]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [Website]( Texas Monthly PO Box 1569 Austin, TX 78767 Texas Monthly has sent you this alert because you signed up to receive it either online at texasmonthly.com, at the website of one of our business partners, or when you filled out a reader response card. You may cancel your subscription to this and other Texas Monthly newsletters at any time. Please see our Privacy Policy. [Like]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Preferences]( | [Unsubscribe](