Dear Readers,

Physician Carl Bergstrom is a free man, after almost four years behind bars, as a result of a plea deal that made it possible for him to avoid a new trial on rape charges. Mary Schley reports.

Another local doctor, Aytac Apaydin, has been reprimanded by the state medical licensing board after a bizarre case of negligence involving a cancer patient. I have that story.

The mayors' group likes Cal Am's desal project, but wants some substantial changes. Kelly Nix has that one. He also reports that a left-wing activist group is practically alone in not wanting the new water project to provide water for lots of record.

The foundation paying for renovation of the Carmel Mission has decided it needs a host of other improvements -- especially to its crumbing exterior. School violence in Connecticut and elsewhere has prompted a host of security changes on local campuses. If you like to travel to Europe and Asia, you'll be interested to know that an updated version of the Queen of the Skies is setting new standards for luxury travel to distant continents. Joe Livernois has some invaluable investment advice. Paul Brocchini says 2012 was another billion-dollar-year for Monterey Peninsula real estate. We have a special section with everything you need to know about next week's Pebble Beach Pro-Am. And my editorial explains why it's time for you (of all people) to become an activist.

To get this week's complete Pine Cone, please click here. If you have an informed opinion about one of our stories and would like to submit a letter to the editor, please click here. And please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions, comments or concerns.

Paul Miller, Publisher
paul@carmelpinecone.com

To return to the download page for the February 1, 2013, edition, please click here.