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BEST OF THE CARMEL POLICE LOG… Suspicious circumstances: Dispatch received an anonymous letter that alleged someone was acting suspiciously. Allegations were investigated and it was determined that there was no merit. SHORTCUTS CARMEL CONFIDENTIAL Rolex Monterey Motorspor ts Reunion Recieves International Honor S everal local proper ties were rated among Nor thern California's top 25 hotels in the Condé Nast Traveler 2017 Readers' Choice Awards, which selected winners based on the votes of more than 300,000 par ticipants. Big Sur's Post Ranch Inn was number five on the list, followed by La Playa Carmel at 14, and Monterey's Por tola Hotel & Spa at 20. The Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, Monterey Hotel and Cypress Inn ranked 23, 24 and 25, respectively. Local Hotels Receive Condé Nast Traveler's Seal of Approval T he international motorsport governing body FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) honored the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) during a December 2017 ceremony at the Palace of Versailles. SCRAMP won the FIA Members Heritage Cup for its annual Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The nomination acknowledged high standards of authenticity and preser vation among par ticipating vehicles, excellence in organization and overall worldwide appeal. This is the first time a United States event has received the FIA Members Heritage Cup. FIA dignitaries presented the award to Gill Campbell, general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, at the gathering in France. "To have 28 international FIA representatives (one from each country) vote and recognize SCRAMP for such an honor is testament to the passion and professionalism of SCRAMP staff, volunteers, sponsors and the County of Monterey," Campbell said. "It is through the ded- ication and enthusiasm from each participant who shares his or her cars on the track and in the paddock that makes the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion so special internationally." The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion was also a finalist in the 2017 Octane Awards (formerly known as the International Historic Motoring Awards), earning runner-up status in the Motorsport Event of the Year category. This is the fifth consecutive nomination for the annu- al event. The Monterey Peninsula Foundation set an annual donation record in 2017, giving $12.8 million to local nonprofits after hosting two suc- cessful local golf tournaments. Groups across Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties benefited from the grant funds, which together topped the foundation's previous record of $10.8 million. The Monterey Peninsula Foundation organiz- es the Pure Insurance Championship and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, an event that has generated more than $135 million in charitable funds since 1982. Board chair Clint Eastwood credited the volunteers, players, sponsors and tournament course teams who make these events possible. 54 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 Formula Junior machines assembled during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in August, which captured the prestigious FIA Founding Members' Club Heritage Cup. Photo: ROLEX/Stephan Cooper