Vacation from the valley

In keeping with my New Years goal (don't call it a resolution) of getting more voices on this blog, here are some thoughts from our brothers and sisters in the Central Valley branch of the McClatchy Empire, which was once the proud mainstay of a prosperous newspaper chain. (Full disclosure: I am a proud alumnus of the Modesto branch of the empire's Bee newspapers, and a not-so-proud owner of McClatchy stock):

As McClatchy stock hovers around $11 a share (a couple of years ago it was well north of $60), memoranda urging everyone to cut costs are threatening to choke the e-mail servers. So Worker Bees are wondering why McClatchy execs are choosing to hold their annual editors and publishers conference in sunny San Diego, a city in which McClatchy doesn't even own a newspaper. (At least not yet).

One can only speculate why the meeting is being held in America's Finest City, as S.D. bills itself, instead of at McClatchy Central in California's State Capital. Is it because sunshine is more conducive to corporate profits than tule fog? Because San Diego has a better zoo? Because San Diego's trolley goes to Tijuana (publisher body shots!) while Sacramento's goes to Folsom? (Insert appropriate cliche about inquiring minds here).

Note: Anyone other members with blog items/tips/ledes, send 'em my way: CTUAN@aol.com and I'll compile and post them or, if you prefer, post them as you've written (with some editing, of course.) and give you credit.