The name tags worn by attendees at Edmonds’ first-ever official gathering of Twitter followers might seem a little odd to the uninitiated: @incrediblechef, @homegoddess, @edmondswinery, @girlunderatree. But for these users of the social networking application Twitter, Tuesday night’s Tweetup at Epulo restaurant was an opportunity to meet the live people behind the virtual Twitter user names used to send their 140-character messages (or Tweets) to those signed up to receive them (also known as followers).

It’s hard to know exactly how many people in Edmonds use Twitter regularly. Travel writer Rick Steves (@ricksteves) is probably the city’s most famous Tweeter. Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson (@edmondsmayor) and City Councilmember D.J. Wilson (@djwilson5) also Tweet. Some Edmonds businesses and organizations  (including @epulo) use Twitter to announce store specials, restaurant menu changes and events like art classes, blood drives and even sports scores. The Tweet, in fact, has become yet another staple in the publicity toolbox, along with press releases, fliers and public service announcements.

Karen Rosenzweig (aka @theincrediblechef), an Edmonds-based marketing/social media consultant for restaurants and hospitality companies, said she encouraged Epulo to host the local Tweetup for two reasons: to give the local Twitter community a chance to feel more connected to its neighborhood, and to provide Epulo with a chance to showcase its Happy Hour menu of wood-fired pizzas and assorted cocktails.