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BEST OF THE CARMEL POLICE LOG… Reporting party found gas gopher cartridges in the backyard. Placement indicated that someone had entered the yard and placed them there. No other leads available. SHORTCUTS CARMEL CONFIDENTIAL James Durbin Brings Awareness to Mental Health Issues T he Ar ts Council for Monterey County will honor several regional profes- sionals during its Champions of the Ar ts Gala on Januar y 16, 2016. In addition to recognizing organizations that advance the arts at the local level, the annu- al event will celebrate several individuals who are making sig- nificant contributions in education, volunteering and philanthropy. Carmel sculptor Richard MacDonald will receive the Arts Council's lifetime achievement award for his 25 years of work, while Monterey County Symphony board president Lee Rosen will be honored for his efforts to connect local students with music. Adela Castillo and Jose Alejandro Moran, founders of the annual Noche Bohemia event, and fine artist Marv Anderson are among others slated for awards. These honorees improve the quality of life throughout Monterey County, believes Arts Council Executive Director Paulette Lynch. "Their vision, talent, passion and dedication cre- ate a stronger and more vibrant community. Their unique and powerful stories inspire us all to dig a lit- tle deeper and work a little harder for the next gen- eration," she says. Tickets for the 2016 Champions of the Arts event at the Portola Hotel and Spa are $95 per person ($125 if purchased after December 31). For tickets and more information, please visit www.2016champions.eventbrite.com. Sculptor Richard MacDonald Receives Lifetime Achievement Award M usician and former "American Idol" contestant James Durbin headlined the August AIM for the Cures dinner in Pebble Beach, which raised more than $660,000 for AIM for Mental Health. Guests included 400 community members, clinical psychiatrists and brain researchers from several California universities. Tradewinds Carmel owner Susan Stilwell founded AIM to generate aware- ness and support mental health research related to children, teens and young adults. In just 18 months, the nonprofit has brought in more than $1 million for research into attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, depression and other related conditions. "This is purely a testament to the tremendous need for such a campaign," says Stilwell. "AIM is filling a huge void when it comes to youth mental health. Most people have never been asked to help fund research to find cures for kids' mental disorders, yet one in five of our nation's youth are affected by these disorders." Durbin's personal experience makes him an effective spokesperson, adds Stilwell. He was diag- nosed with Asperger's and Tourette's Syndromes at 10 years old, following his father's death from a heroin overdose. "James helps reduce the stigma related to these disorders, and he connects with young peo- ple. People loved his per- formance," says Stilwell. Former "American Idol" hopeful James Durbin performs at AIM fundraiser. Photo: Kelli Uldall 54 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 5