I frequently run into colleagues who ask me what the County Bar does. Sometimes this question carries with it a hint that, in this age of the internet, membership in a local bar association is a bit of an anachronism, like a manual typewriter. Sure, that typewriter still works as well as ever, but who but your grandfather or grandmother would use it to draft a brief?

My experience with the Sacramento County Bar Association, however, leads me to the opposition conclusion. Not only is our local bar association alive and well, it is in many ways thriving.

Admittedly, my perspective is a bit unique. As the editor of this magazine since late 2002, it has been my task to try to fit articles about all of the SCBA's sections, affiliates and programs into a 32-page magazine. This month, the task was particularly difficult.

Although we honor retiring City Attorney Samuel L. Jackson on the cover, this issue has no overarching theme. Nonetheless, various sections, affiliates and programs virtually overwhelmed me with material. I literally received submissions from "A" (reports on the new Appellate Law Section and the Administrative Law Section) to "W" (two separate advertisements for Women Lawyers of Sacramento events). The events in this magazine range from the Bench and Bar Reception to the ABAS winetasting fundraiser to the dedication of the Robert T. Matsui Federal Courthouse.

The common denominator in all of these varied events is the participation of the SCBA, its sections and affiliates, and the lawyers who are members of the association. While it is true that many events and programs take place largely because of the efforts of individual sections and affiliates or the efforts of individual attorneys, the SCBA is what ties us all together as a legal community.

So the next time someone asks you what the County Bar does, show them this magazine. And point out that, for all of the people, programs and events featured in any edition, the space in this magazine is limited. Members of our association are always engaged in more activities than could possibly fit into this magazine. The easiest way to start getting involved in all of these great things is to join the SCBA.

Stepping off my soapbox for a moment, I would like to thank all of the contributors who submitted articles, photographs and information for this magazine. I would particularly like to thank Toso Himel, who contributed both our cover story on Sam Jackson and a report on the ABAS winetasting event.