be hosting various social and networking events , and our members would be travelling , going to different restaurants , enjoying live shows , and attending events . Instead , most of us are living our lives in a scaled back manner , either by choice or due to restrictions . After eleven months of the pandemic , we have settled into a virtual world and no longer need pointers on using Zoom , daily updates on procedures , or other tutorials . The SCBA did a great job tackling these issues , and continues to provide substantive content , but there is still a void .

If you are anything like me , you are growing a bit fatigued by attending the typical seminars and continuing education programs online . I miss the more informal social interaction with other lawyers and members of the judiciary , where there is no requirement to learn about statutes and case law or hear about new e-procedures . Unfortunately , the SCBA isn ’ t venturing into in-person meetings or cocktail hour events anytime soon to help fill this void . But that hasn ’ t stopped us from trying to be creative in our programming . To kick off 2021 , we do have a unique program coming in February – the 2021 SCBA Judicial Cake Wars .

Modeled off the competitive

SCBA PRESIDENT ’ S COLUMN

Jennifer Grosso , Esq . Bentley Law Firm , P . A .

SCBA NEWS

reality show on Food Network , program to join us for this unique eight Sarasota County judges will event . be paired together in a competition And , if you want to try your to create the best decorated cake . hand at cake decorating , check Our moderator , Morgan Bentley , out the options available at local will follow the progress of the cake shop , Make It Swirl ( www . teams in his always-entertaining makeitswirl . com ). Make It Swirl style , and he will be sharing “ fun will be providing the kits for our facts ” about the judges along the Judicial Cake Wars . The kits include way . If you have ever watched cake or cupcakes , tools , supplies and one of those competitive cooking a video tutorial with step-by-step shows , you know that things never instructions . My family ordered a go exactly as they should . We are few kits during our April quarantine expecting nothing but imperfection as a fun birthday event for my on these cakes , but maybe the daughter . It was a huge hit . Make judges will surprise us ! At the end , It Swirl is offering SCBA members the attendees will vote on various a $ 10 discount by using the code categories related to the finished SCBA2021 . We appreciate their products . I hope you ’ ll take a support . break from your usual Zoom lunch See PRESIDENT , Page 7

MEMBERSHIP

n Sara Bazzigaluppi : University of Florida ; 2018 ; Chapman Law Group n Callie Cowan : Stetson University ; 2008 ; The Twig Cares , Inc . n John West : University of Akron ; 1993 ; John West , P . A .

Board of Directors Committees

Practice Sections

The Docket · February 2021 5