MOVIN' UP...The WESTERN STAGE at Hartnell College recently announced its new management team. Cognoscenti in the theater community will remember that Executive Director Harvey Landa retired at the end of 2000. In May 2001, artistic director Tom Humphrey announced his resignation, which was effective at the end of last year''s season. And managing director Alan Harrison resigned last June. Although a patched-together team guided the theater company through a successful season, it must be a relief to have a little clarity in the top management positions. The company will have continuity, too.

The Western Stage has filled its vacancies by promoting long-time stalwarts from within the company. Taking over as artistic director is JON PATRICK SELOVER, who formerly served as the company''s director of production; JOHN LIGHT, who''s done a little bit of everything at the Western Stage, steps up to the position of managing director. And MELISSA CHIN PARKER, who formerly headed the Young Company, an outreach program for children and teens, will take over the newly created position of Artistic Program Director--she''ll be handling all Western Stage programs outside the main and studio theaters, including the Young Company and the Steinbeck Alive! program, which brings live performances of Steinbeck to local classrooms.

Good luck, guys.

MOVIN'' OUT...This is it. THIS IS MY SWAN SONG as an editor at Monterey County Coast Weekly, the best damned newspaper in the county. After nearly 14 years of wrestling the same demons, it''s time to move on. To what? I''m not sure yet. It may take a little time to figure that out. While I''m doing it, I''ll tinker with my Web site (www.whatsupchuck.ws). Drop by and visit.

I''d be lying if I didn''t admit to a whole raft of mixed emotions. On the one hand, there''s a feeling of sheer exhilaration. The closest thing I can compare it to is the time I jumped out of a plane. Then, I was relying on the skill of my instructor and the safety of a parachute to keep me from colliding with mother earth. This time, I''m relying on my wits. There''s been an odd grin contorting my face ever since I made the decision.

On the other hand, I''m a little nervous. What kind of idiot leaves a perfectly good job in economically troubled times? I guess it''s the same kind of idiot that jumps out of a perfectly good plane. Sure, the adrenaline rush is mind-blowing, but what happens if the ''chute doesn''t open? (If you hear of anybody who''s looking for a pretty good writer and editor, send me an email.)

And there''s some sadness, too. Saying good-bye to someone or something you''ve loved for 14 years isn''t easy, even when you know it''s for the best.

I think my love for the paper really kicked in on a September afternoon in 1988 when four of us, none of whom had a lot of experience, were abruptly forced to figure out how we were going to put a paper together for the next week. Fueled by blue corn chips and Anchor Steam beer, we did it. Then kept doing it, week after week.

There''s only one of those four people left now, founder/executive publisher BRADLEY ZEVE. I could tell lots of stories about him. He might be surprised to know how many of them would be positive (not all of them, mind you, but most of them). He''s a good guy.

Hell, I''m procrastinating. Let''s just get this over with before I get all sentmental and sloppy.

To any of you whom I inadvertently offended, and for the times I may have seemed rude, insensitive or brusque, I apologize.

To all of you--actors, musicians, artists, letter writers, politicians, bureaucrats, PR flaks, publicity chairpeople, everyone who doesn''t fit into a neat category but who called, wrote or performed, and, most especially, to you, the reader who gave my words meaning--thank you for making my life richer. It''s been a good run, I''ve had fun and I''m wealthy with memories collected along the way.

See you around.

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CHUCK THURMAN CTHURMAN@MBAY.NET