Closing of Herald Examiner Ends Colorful Newspaper Era

For many years The Times has been my breakfast companion. I devour the news with great relish and reward myself with the crossword puzzle just before getting ready for work. It has become a close friend. Then, every day at lunch my other friend, the Herald Examiner, has been there with its own brand of news coverage. It, too, gave me a crossword puzzle as dessert. Together, both papers managed to keep me well-informed, happy, angry and sad. On occasion they printed letters of mine, giving me an appreciated avenue of expression.

Now it seems I have lost a good friend. I am hostage to The Times. Take good care of me. Shed a little gray, blend in a smidge of irreverence, add a pinch of cynicism, exchange the twine to the poor and disenfranchised for the rope to City Hall, the granny glasses for pilot ovals.

Goodby and God bless, Examiner. Good luck and God bless, Times.

CHRIS MARCONI, Los Angeles