De Santo: Latin Bistro & Bar/Lounge

We just happened by this new resto downtown the other evening after seeing from outside that the former Accenture building has been transformed into quite a fancy new Latin bistro and bar. It's called De Santo.
From the outside until you walk in the restaurant, you will see how posh they've turned the place into with very modern touches, from the chairs to the light fixtures to even their menu. Quite impressive. They serve a variety of Latin flavors: Spanish, Peruvian, Mexican and even Uruguayan. For those just looking to hang out, the bistro has a separate full bar...not a bad place for after work drinks I'd say.
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Food was good. Nothing extraordinary. Serving was ample and presentation was fine. No complaints about the service as they keep on filling your glass of water almost every 15 minutes automatically.

I guess it's worth the try and maybe you can get back to us and let us know what you think of the food yourselves.

De Santo
128 Third St. S (the McNulty Station building)

Homes & Land in Roser Park

A 1926 single-family home that offers 4 bedrooms and 3 full baths on a lot and a half that also includes a heated swimming pool. The house also features a fireplace, central gas and air conditioning.

This 1,964 square feet bungalow on 9th Avenue South is listed at $399,900 under realtor Linda Snow of Remax Metro. (727) 422-3800

$100* Visioning Tour

This may be worth your while if you don't have anything else planned for Saturday. Here are the details from Kai Warren:

This Saturday, January 19th at 10:00 AM, in place of the old Nickel Tour, we will do a $100 Historic Booker Creek Tour to help our residents understand the direction we are going in and to help develop a vision we would like to have for our future. We will meet at the intersection of 5th Street and Ingleside (11th) Avenue South and take a 1.5 hour tour west to Campbell Park then back to the heart of HRP.

The tour will involve some of our great history, an explanations of the work underway in opening up the creek and the Roser Park Corridor Improvements, as well as the development of the Historic Booker Creek Trail, the conversion of one way traffic on MLK and 8th Streets to two way traffic, the elimination of the 8th Street Connector, the uniting of our surrounding neighborhoods to eliminate crime, foment peace and prosperity, and put a chicken (or tofuken) in every pot.

*All proceeds from the $100 per ticket sales will go to the KGIA Foundation (my personal favorite); however the first 100 people to show up will be given a 100% discount (scholarship, if you will). The tour will also be free to all members of the HRPNA who have paid their dues for 2008. Further discussion of the visioning process can begin immediately following the tour at Chattaway's, where we will meet for lunch and refreshments. Additional suggestions and ideas can be submitted to any bored member or member of the HRPNA Board.

So mark your calendar:
$100 Visioning Tour
Saturday, January 19
5th Street and Ingleside Avenue
10:00 AM
Wear good walking shoes!

Welcome Charlotte!

Congratulations to Mommy Emily and Daddy Jerrod as they bring in a new member of the Burns family and of course the Roser Park family – Charlotte Anne Burns!

Happy New Year Roser Parkers!

After a long trip to Peru, it was nice to come back home to a gathering of neighbors and friends as we celebrated the start of a new year. The progressive party started at Trey and Sara's place with an abundance of filling appetizers. (Thanks, Sara, for the goodie bag by the way...hehe!) Then, everyone proceeded to drink some more and enjoy some more dessert at Russ and Rita's.

It has been quite a year that seems to just have gone by so quickly. But it has been a great year spent with fun get togethers and porch parties that were just memorable. Here's to more good times!

Cheers to everyone and may we all have a more prosperous 2008!

Luminaries Postponed to Next Weekend

Due to the high chances of rain today, the "sandbaggers" (it's a new word or is it?) have decided last night to postpone the bagging, and the actual Luminaries to next Saturday, weather permitting. :( Anyhow, that's ok. Maybe weather will even be nicer next weekend.

Stay tuned for email blast update.

TOO FUNNY!!! You just gotta see this!

Sara McDonald just sent us this little clip where we've been elfed!!! Watch and laugh! Click here. Now, let the holidays begin! Thanks, Sara.

Roser Park Tees for Sale!

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Another gift idea: be a proud inhabitant of the Roser Park neighborhood and wear your RP t-shirt with pride just like Cindy and Catherine! Only $10 this holiday season. It's the perfect garb for shopping at Publix, walking the dog in the park, or watching the movies at Muvico!

Also, we have the 2008 Roser Bark calendars featuring the neighborhood pets and their homes for $5.

Call our dear prez Michael Manlowe for purchases – 727-641-9557

Trivia: Guess who that guy is sandwiched between Cindy and Catherine at the Roser Park Art Fest event. Post your guess on the comments below.

Zen Glass Studio Holiday Sale

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If you haven't found the gifts you need to send out for the holidays and don't want to go through the chaos of the mall, make sure you check out Zen Glass Studio when they have their 6th annual Holiday sale on Friday, December 21st, from 5 to 9PM. These may just turn out to be the best and most original gifts you can give away! They have jewelry, glassware, home accents, paintings, and all sorts of stuff.

Zen Glass Studio
900 9th Street S.
727.894.2371

The Annual Luminaries on Booker Creek

.Saturday, December 15th. Be there to see the Booker Creek lit up with hundreds of candles from 4th Street to MLK. This is a sight to behold! Make sure to bring your cameras and tell ALL your friends about this annual event put together by Roser Park neighbors. It starts at 6PM. Make sure to get there in time before all the candles start dying!

Forward this post to your friends and neighbors who might want to see it.

Question: How did this tradition start again? And what is the essence? To anyone in the neighborhood who has the answers, please post it on the comments section at the end of this post. It would definitely be enlightening?!