06.12.2023

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Today’s Forecast

69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.

👑 Remembering Queen Leslie

Remembering Leslie Cochran, the “Queen of Austin”

Leslie Cochran stands on a bike wearing a black crop top, raccoon hat, and pearl necklace.

Leslie Cochran wasn’t always homeless — he was known to couch surf often with friends. | Photo by Megan Ann, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Few people kept Austin weird quite like Leslie Cochran.

Famous for strutting Downtown Austin in a pair of heels — or a tutu, tiara, or feather boa — Leslie was a chronically unhoused man who lived in Austin from 1996-2012.

The subject of a 2019 movie, a commemorative plaque on 6th Street, a mural, and national intrigue, Leslie was nothing short of eye-catching. In celebration of Pride month, we wanted to tell you a few things about the “Queen of Austin.”

The “mayor of Austin”

Born in Miami in 1951, Leslie lived a nomadic life around the country, taking jobs in Seattle, Shreveport, and Atlanta. It’s said that Leslie made his way to Austin via a year-long tricycle ride in 1996 and quickly became a local celebrity.

Residents during that time likely remember his run for mayor. Leslie first ran against current mayor Kirk Watson in 2000, then again in 2003 on the platforms of protecting the homeless population and planting more trees.

He lost both times, but he managed to garner 7.75% of the vote in 2000 and the unofficial title of “mayor of Austin” among his fans.

A prominent fashion icon in the city, it’s possible you own Leslie’s special edition paper doll, which was sold in 23 states and became one of his most stable streams of income.

Leslie Cochran sits at a bar, wearing a dress and pointing at the camera. — Leslie was known to frequent 6th Street, make “saucy comments,” and pose for pictures with passersby.
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Photo by OpalDivine, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Leslie’s Legacy

Leslie’s health began to decline after a head injury in 2009, and he died at age 60 on March 8, 2012. Then-Mayor Lee Leffingwell declared March 8 “Leslie Day” in his honor.

A celebrity at heart, Leslie made appearances in “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and a 2001 Super Bowl commercial for Pinky’s Pagers. He was also well-known for his “saucy comments” to passersby.

You can learn more about his life in “Becoming Leslie,” a 2019 SXSW documentary.

Asked

Which famous Austinite would you like to hear about next?

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Events

Monday, June 12

Ice Cream Social & Garden Show and Tell | Monday, June 12 | 6-9 p.m. | Zilker Botanical Garden, 2220 Barton Springs Rd., Austin | Free with admission | Taste plant-based ice cream and learn more about Austin Organic Gardeners.

Tuesday, June 13

Bike Night at COTA | Tuesday, June 13 | 6 p.m. | Circuit of the Americas, 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Austin | $5-$10 | Explore COTA’s track from your own two wheels, and follow up your ride with refreshments.
“Hairspray” | Tuesday, June 13-Sunday, June 18 | Times vary | Bass Concert Hall, 2350 Robert Dedman Dr., Austin | $45-$150 | The Tony Award-winning musical follows Tracy Turnblad and her adventures on the Corny Collins Show.

Wednesday, June 14

Les Claypool’s Fearless Flying Frog Brigade | Wednesday, June 14 | 6 p.m. | Moody Amphitheater, 1401 Trinity St., Austin | $33-$129 | Just over a decade after the Frog Brigade’s “Purple Onion,” the band gets back together in Waterloo Park.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Travel

✈️ How to protect your gut health while traveling

It’s very common for travel to wreak havoc on our digestive system, due to a number of factors from eating new foods to time changes (yes, “gut-lag” is a thing). | Photo by Pendulum

We’ve all been there: a sunny beach, a gorgeous new city, a cute little cabin — and then you feel the dreaded rumble. Your stomach doesn’t feel good, and you have to get to a bathroom, pronto.

Don’t let that happen to you. Before your next summer trip, brush up on five tips to keep your gut happy on the go:

1. Stay hydrated. Stick to (safe) tap or bottled water.
2. Pack probiotics. Pro tip: Sprint to checkout (instead of the bathroom) for 20% off Metabolic Daily with code 6AMCITY.

3 more gut-friendly travel tips

News Notes

Development

Upscale restaurant Quince will replace the now-closed Abel’s on the Lake — located on the Lake Austin waterfront Oyster Landing strip — later this summer. This will be Quince’s third location, joining one in Fort Worth and another in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. (Austin Business Journal)

Opening

We need to taco ‘bout something. Austin-based restaurant Kesos Tacos has a second restaurant in the works at 3901 Spicewood Springs Rd. The new space will begin serving its signature queso-topped tacos, burritos, and churro bites in early 2024. (Community Impact Austin)

Outdoors

Boaters, beware. Zebra mussels are spreading across lakes in Texas, including Lake Travis and Lake Austin. The invasive species has been found in 35 lakes in the state, so officials recommend cleaning and draining boats for at least a week before going between lakes. (KXAN)

Cause

Urban Alchemy, the California-based group that runs Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, will lease the former Downtown Salvation Army shelter. Once it is up and running, the center will be able to serve 150 people per night. (KXAN)

Ranked

Austin’s own Commodore Perry Estate has been named second-best resort in Texas, according to US News. Lake Austin Spa Resort and Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa also made the list.

Finance

Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*

Featured Deal

If your dad is where the sun rises and sets in your eyes, here’s a Father’s Day gift idea: RYSE is offering 10% off their entire store of SmartShades easy-install, tech-forward motorized window shades and accessories with code FATHER10 now through Sun., June 18. Snag the deal.*

Trending

How to make skincare more fun: the Marshmallow Whip Maker, which turns any cleanser into a fluffy, marshmallow-like foam that’s rich and creamy on the skin.*

Culture

🧼 Refresh your feed

23 local Instagram accounts to follow in 2023

A post reading "Why don't you see him anymore?" "He moved somewhere really far away." "Oh like, New York?" "No, like Round Rock."

Keep your ears open for meme-worthy quotes in the wild. | Photo via @overheardaustin

We like our Instagram feed like we like our bagels: with a little bit of everything. We’re freshening up our social media accounts for 2023, so we wanted to share some of our favorite pages to share the good vibes.

But before you give these exciting accounts a follow, make sure you follow us on Instagram: @atxtoday. Your friendly neighborhood City Editors will thank you. ❤️

Ethos | @ethos_atx
Help unravel the mystery of this restaurant account, which is currently captivating the minds of Austinites.

Overheard Austin | @overheardaustin
Watch out Austin, you’re never out of earshot. Your witty comments, snarky remarks, and missed connections could end up for all to see on Overheard Austin’s Instagram account. Submit your own overheard comments to the account via direct message.

Texas Humor | @texashumor
If you’re not already following this hugely popular account, you’re missing out. Show your Texas pride through debates over tacos, “accurate” maps of Texas, and hyper-local pop culture.

20 more accounts to follow

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Figi

From the editor

I’m coming back at you with yet another boba tea recommendation: Happy Lemon, at 2501 W. Parmer Ln. This bubble tea chain from Taiwan famously sells bubble waffles and salted cheese foam tea. While I wasn’t quite brave enough to try the latter, I highly recommend the ube waffle.

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