Bad news for the Bay Area

The San Francisco Chronicle — the self-proclaimed "voice of the west" — could soon be sold by parent Hearst Newspapers. Or shut down altogether.

It would be a sad day for the city if the Chronicle closes shop. But the large daily is bleeding red ink — to the tune of $50 million in 2008.

Efforts to save the paper are under way — management is seeking many changes, including a reduction in pay for nonunion and union employees alike (good luck with that, although the threat of shutting down the paper is a good bargaining chip even if it's not a serious option).

Whatever the plan is, I hope it works. I have a personal affinity for the publication. It's the traditional Saturday companion when my girlfriend and I chow down to eggs and bacon at one of our local greasy spoons.

However, the prospects of a turnaround look bleak. As she put it: "I knew it was coming, but boy does this feel like the possible loss of a good friend..."