Rick Flaste, the L.A. Times Features Editor who came west from the NYT with Deputy Managing Editor (Features) John Montorio a few years ago, is returning to the New York Times. Here he was Montorio's deputy in reinvigorating most of the LAT's back of the paper sections.

Montorio sent this memo to the staff this morning:

Subject: A Farewell

Friends,

Rick Flaste, our Features Editor for the past two and a half years and, as many of you know, a close friend, has decided to leave the Los Angeles Times. He was one of the principal architects of the redesigned and new sections as well as an invaluable guiding light in many of the areas of our far-flung Features empire. But he's leaving the paper for a job that he feels is too good to turn down. The New York Times, where he distinguished himself for three decades, has asked him to return as an Associate Editor of the paper with responsibilities that will begin with his serving as Science Editor and then branch out into a variety of projects. Moreover, the return to the East will reunite him with his two children. I know how much he came to love and respect this newspaper and its wonderful staff. It was a difficult decision for him. I know many of you will join me in wishing him all the best.

Cheers,

John

Speaking of the New York Times, the Los Angeles magazine piece on Bernie Weinraub excerpted here on Saturday is now online. In the piece, R.J. Smith posits that by keeping Weinraub here, the New York Times shows it regards L.A. as a lightweight town.