MaryKaye Schilling is leaving to return to New York, according to an abrupt memo from the newly assigned editor helping with management issues on the L.A. Times features side.

From: Wolinsky, Leo
Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 12:00 PM
Subject: The Guide

MaryKaye Schilling, editor of The Guide for print and online, is leaving the paper.

MaryKaye has made a significant contribution to The Times with the creation of the new section and its interactive online partner (now in the testing phase). Together they will provide readers with the best advice on how to spend their leisure time along with comprehensive listings of events and things to do throughout the region.

We wish her well as she returns to New York. Scott Sandell will oversee the print version beginning today until a permanent replacement is named.

--Leo Wolinsky, Associate Editor

Her exit is viewed inside as related to the recent departure of John Montorio. A former executive editor of Entertainment Weekly and the former editor of Sassy, Schilling was described in 2006 as the ideal hire for her LAT job.