With the New Year fast approaching, it's hard to resist the idea of making a list. So, in that spirit, here is a compilation of 10 events or really good ideas that impressed me from the year just past in the Cranbrook-Kimberley area.

Cranbrook's first-ever interfaith symposium: This was a gathering of religious minds at the Key City Theatre last November that featured representatives from six major religions tackling the weighty idea of reconciling the existence of God and human suffering. Speakers included Chief Chris Luke (aboriginal faith), Martin Blackwell (Buddhist), Rev. Ron Foubister (Christian), Aslam Shad (Islam), Hans Dekkers (Judaism) and Giami Hakirat Singh (Sikh). The symposium was ably moderated by Cranbrook mayor Scott Manjak, and I hope it will be the first in an annual event. I might suggest changing the format a bit (small-group breakouts, for example, instead of just a series of speeches followed by a final Q & A session), but I think the general concept falls in the really good idea category. This kind of open dialogue can only be a good thing. And while we're at it, maybe we should add an atheist or agnostic to the list; not sure who would be an official spokesperson, but it would be interesting to hear both religious and non-religious points of view regarding the pressing questions of the day.

Slopes for Hope: This is the new Canadian Cancer Society fundraiser that replaces the Kimberley Relay for Life. It's an excellent idea for a town with a ski hill a mere five minutes from downtown. Besides, anyone who still wants to participate in the Relay for Life, but didn't like having to do it overnight, can always sign up a team for the Cranbrook relay, which does take place during daylight hours. Meanwhile, it's great that Kimberly has found a unique fundraiser of its own.

Stageworks productions and Soprano in the Platzl: I liked that these two new initiatives stepped forward when it became apparent that Kimberley Summer Theatre would be taking a one-summer hiatus. Along with stalwarts like the Kimberley Community Band and Kimberley Community Choir, they helped keep the Platzl humming with musical and theatrical activity during the summer of 2010 and were most appreciated. Kimberley Summer Theatre will be back in 2011, which is wonderful, but never forget the great local talent we have in this area all year long.

The Go-Go Grannies: This is a group of Cranbrook, Kimberley and Wasa ladies who work tirelessly for the Stephen Lewis Foundation. They raise funds for grassroots initiatives that provide enormous help to the grandmothers of Africa who are raising grandkids whose parents have died in the AIDS/HIV epidemic. One of those African grandmothers, and one of those African granddaughters, spoke last year at the College of the Rockies, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Rotary shelterboxes: The Rotarians in Kimberley have done an amazing job of funding a large number of these shelterboxes that go directly to places like hurricane-ravaged Haiti or flood-damaged Pakistan, among others. Now the Sunrise Rotary Club in Cranbrook has also pledged to raise funds for shelterboxes. As with the Go-Go Grannies projects, you can be sure your donation is going directly to the people in need in the form of concrete help, and that is a very fine idea indeed.

The Olympic torch relay: I loved that the torch relay, celebrating the 2010 Winter Olympics, came through Kimberley and Cranbrook. It set the tone for what turned out to be a truly inspiring Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler.

Urban ungulate studies: In other words, the deer problem, which both Cranbrook and Kimberley attempted to get a handle on last year by initiating official studies of the deer dilemma. It got so bad that Kimberley United Church couldn't even leave hay in their outside Christmas manger scene because it was attracting the creatures. Enough already!

Cranbrook book fairs: Two books fairs featuring local authors have now been held at the Manual Training Centre, attached to the Cranbrook Public Library. What a great idea to support our East Kootenay writing talent. I also liked the Cranbrook library's evening of mini book reviews, and hope it will become an annual happening too.

Rails to Trails: The trail linking Kimberley and Cranbrook was another excellent idea. And I liked that it was so popular that people were using it in droves even before it officially opened.

It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play: This Cranbrook Community Theatre production was the highlight of the Christmas season for many a theatre-goer. The play by Joe Landry was directed by Terry Miller and featured a wonderful cast of Cranbrook and Kimberley thespians. I'd personally love to see this become an annual event, maybe with productions staged in both Kimberley and Cranbrook. Now, isn't that a wonderful idea?