David Ono, ABC anchor and AAJA-LA Vice President of Broadcast, talks to an attendee at the chapter’s Far Bar mixer on Jan. 23

AAJA-LA members opened 2013 with drinks, great food and even some prizes at the chapter’s first mixer of the year.

About 60 people filled the private room of Far Bar, an AAJA favorite nestled in Little Tokyo, on Jan. 23. Attendees included veteran AAJA-LA members, NAHJ members and some new faces — the 21+ mixer was the first for some student members, and for newcomers to AAJA-LA.

ABC anchor and AAJA-LA Vice President of Broadcast David Ono welcomed members to the festivities, as he joked about his memories at Far Bar.

Attendees could also pre-register at early-bird rates for the second annual V3Con,  AAJA-LA’s digital media conference, on June 15.

Toward the end of the night, the prizes came out. Every attendee received a raffle ticket to win door prizes, which included beauty products and tickets to East West Players. Cheers echoed through the room as new AAJA-LA secretary Naomi Hayase announced the winning numbers.

The mixer ended at 9 p.m., but many stayed past that time, finished up their drinks and Far Bar’s food, mingling and networking.