This past Saturday we had the privilege of hosting a nice event for a group of active Yelp community members here in St. Louis. Yelp is an online community that connects businesses with customers who have the opportunity to read about their businesses, talk with other Yelp members about it and even leave a review. The party was a gathering for the “Yelp Elite”, those participants on the sitewho are the “the most passionate Yelpers that makes our community so funny, useful and cool! (Yelp.com)” This party gave the Yelp Elite a chance to see what Latitude 26 is all about and we were pleased to share the evening with them.

St. Louis’ Yelp Community Manager, Abby Schwarz, did an amazing job with festive decorations and the perfect mix of guests and treats. There were miniature piñatas, an inflatable limbo pole, tons of Yelp trinkets and a sombrero photo contest. (The most stylish sombrero-wearer received a pair of tickets to the Sex and the City 2 movie premier this weekend!) Attendees got to sample some tasty dishes from our restaurant, and also Sauza Tequila and Schlafly Beer from Major Brands, Wines from Argentina and Chile from Pinnacle Imports, and delicious “margarita” chocolates from Kakao. It was a real treat to be selected as the host of this party! We had a blast, and the reviews seem to reflect that our guests did as well! Check them out here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/latitude-26-st-louis

You can also see pictures and reviews of the event itself here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/byos-elite-event-latitude-26-st-louis

If you are interested, you can host your own event at Latitude 26! Just give us a call at 314-932-5600, we’d love to have you!

Cinco De Mayo is NOT actually Mexican Independence Day!

Cinco de Mayo is an important date in Mexican history. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Under General Ignacio Zaragoza, 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army in what was known as the “Batalla de Puebla” on the fifth of May. The “Batalla de Puebla” represents a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. In the United States, the “Batalla de Puebla” became known simply as “Cinco De Mayo”. Many people incorrectly equate this date with Mexican Independence Day, which is actually on September 16.

At Latitude 26, we’re excited about celebrating the festival of Cinco De Mayo with all our friends and neighbors. We invite you to come by, for lunch or dinner, and sample some of the great new dishes Tony has prepared for this week. Crowd-pleasing favorites such as our Chile con Queso (from an old family recipe), fresh guacamole and chips, and our Smoked Brisket platter will, of course be available. Ask about our Cinco specials and try one of our new dishes!

How about a Paloma? A perennial favorite south of the border, the Paloma is made with Tequila, Squirt soda and lime. Some call it a “carbonated Margarita”. Whatever your preference, we’ll be serving Palomas and our fresh squeezed Margaritas all day!

We look forward to seeing you!

Latitude 26 is a proud supporter of this year’s Dining Out For Life event. Each year participating establishments donate at least 25% of their sales for the day to Saint Louis Effort for AIDS. Dining Out For Life has become an international fundraising and awareness event for HIV/AIDS and we are honored to be a part of this effort. We encourage you to get a group together and join us for lunch or dinner and Dine Out For Life on Thursday April 29th.

Dining Out For Life - St. Louis - Thursday, April 29th

DINING OUT FOR LIFE – 2010
EAT, DRINK AND BE CARING.

Join us on Thursday, April 29, 2010 for the 17th annual Dining Out For Life to benefit Saint Louis Effort for AIDS.

Dining Out for Life is an international event that has raised over $2 million since 1990 to help Saint Louis Effort for AIDS provide education on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and comprehensive support services for those affected by the disease. It’s an incredibly important event that not only helps nourish the community…but also the soul. We sincerely hope you’ll dine with us at one of our participating Dining Out For Life restaurants when at least 25% of your check will be donated to support the work of Saint Louis Effort for AIDS.

If you are not able to join us but would like to contribute, click here to make a donation.

Join Social Media Club St. Louis at Latitude 26

Thursday, January 21, 2010 from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM

When I-40 reopened to traffic in December ‘09, St. Louisans shared their feedback and sentiment on their social profiles. Was that conversation encouraged by MoDot? Did they listen & monitor closely? Our panelists this month will be discussing how transit agencies and their advocates are integrating social media in their marketing efforts to educate and communicate with their audience. Public transit provides a unique perspective since it is not only a government agency and community asset, but also a consumer choice.

The evening begins with drinks and networking at 5:30pm. We will be having free chips & salsa and the Happy Hour will be extended until 7pm ($1 off beers/margaritas, $1.50 tacos & taquitos, $2.50 Corona, Corona Light & Lone Star). The panel discussion from 6-7pm will bring together a group of three of St. Louis’ specialists to answer questions and discuss how transit companies are starting to use social media.

Courtney Sloger, @STLTransit, is the inaugural Online Media Specialist for Metro Transit in St. Louis, and seeks to educate and engage riders and non-riders alike. A member of the Communications Department, Sloger edits and contributes to Metro’s transit blog, www.nextstopstl.org and maintains the Agency’s other official social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Sustainable St. Louis, and on the steering committees for Missouri Votes Conservation Educational Fund and the St. Louis Master Bicycle Plan. Passionate about alternative transportation and urban sustainability, she likes to unplug by biking, paddling rivers, and dragging St. Louis bloggers on a bus.

Tom Shrout, www.cmt-stl.org, is the executive director of Citizens for Modern Transit. CMT has been using social media to reach out to not only its members, but also to identify other transit advocates. How will social media affect the organization and out reach of not-for-profits. Tom will have some observations.

Allison Collinger: www.ahcconsulting.org, @ahawkcollinger, A pioneer in integrating marketing communications and community affairs for sports teams, businesses and non-profits, Allison Hawk Collinger brings an innovative approach to strategic communications, emerging media, community issues and non-profit management.

Bring your friends and join us for the SMCSTL monthly meetup. Enjoy some good friends, networking, conversation and drinks. You don’t have to be a member to attend, this event is free to everyone.