Thousands of years ago, the Mayan culture developed a calendar to use to keep track of days and events, much like we use the Gregorian calendar. Scholars say their "long count" calendar - a numerically predictable calendar - will "run out" after 5,126 years. Turns out, that's this year - 2012. Some, including Hollywood filmmakers, have used this bit of trivia to predict the end of the world. That's a lot of pressure to put on 2012.The new year is now in its infancy. It's just a few days old. And already it has the weight of the world on its shoulders, not only because of the Mayans, but because of other more local concerns. Humboldt is hosting the RBC Cup, Canada's Junior A Hockey Championships, in May of 2012. This is a huge undertaking, and will put the spotlight on this city and this region, for good or for ill.Pulling off a tournament of this magnitude will require co-operation and support from all sectors - the City of Humboldt, the local organizing committee, and the Humboldt Broncos Junior A hockey club, especially. As a community, we have to be ready not only to ensure that the best junior A hockey teams from across Canada are able to get on the ice and play some great hockey, but that the crowds in attendance have a pleasant, if not joyful, experience in our city. If we screw up, there will be enough media here that week to ensure word is spread around the country. We want people to know about Humboldt, but not that way.But what else is happening in 2012? The Humboldt Curling Club is hosting the 2012 Scotties Provincial Tournament of Hearts at the end of this month. The best female curlers in the province will be descending on our Uniplex to vie for a right to compete at the National Tournament of Hearts. That's pretty exciting stuff as well, and an event that also needs the support of everyone in this area. It's another opportunity to make this region shine. And we need to take it. So how do we make sure these events show our community in its best possible light?We step up. From the mayor and city council right on down to the youngest kids, we commit to hosting the best events possible. We - even those who don't really like hockey or curling - put our money, time and effort where are mouths are. Because a bad review of either of these events will reflect badly on us all. We will all share in the blame.Good ones, on the brighter side, will lift us all up, and show that the people of this part of the world can do a damn fine job of hosting this class of sporting events.We were all excited when the RBC Cup and the Scotties were first announced, thinking of the good things having them would do for us all. But 2012 is the time that the rubber will meet the road. It is now time for us to do our part to pull them off. So commit. It won't be the end of the world.
