Free food. Free drinks. Shuffleboard.

Somebody's celebrating.

Take a break from covering the election and put down the notepad for a night. San Diego area journalists will gather at the new Hamilton's Tavern on Nov. 2 to celebrate the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists' recent recognition as the best chapter in the country.

To celebrate the news, and help foster a few more connections among the local press corps, the San Diego chapter has teamed up with the Tavern to provide free food and (until the allowance runs out!) free drinks for an evening. Bring anyone who doesn't mind hanging around reporters.

The national organization awarded its San Diego chapter the "Chapter of the Year" award in recognition of the outstanding forums and the efforts local members have mounted to further the mission of providing a valuable resource for reporters, editors and others in the industry. The local chapter also won an excellence award for its communication efforts.

No long speeches, nothing to learn or write down, just good food, friends and a few drinks. Hope you can make it.

6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2
Hamilton's Tavern, 1521 30th St., South Park

You can, of course, stay later if you need to settle a score on the bubble hockey table. But get there early before we finish off the free drinks.

RSVP to chapter president Jennifer Croshaw.