2002-01-17

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Acorn online content now offered free

'Paywall' removed

The new millennium has been a transformative time for newspaper publishing.

Changing reader habits and the advent of new technology have placed big demands on companies in the print news business.

The Acorn and its parent company, Times Media Group, understand that their biggest responsibility is not only the delivery of credible, relevant information in a timely fashion, but making sure residents have easy access to the publication when stories become available.

That’s why we’re super excited about the news being shared today.

Following a five-year stretch in which Acorn readers were given the option of purchasing online subscriptions to the paper, that so-called “paywall” is coming down.

“Mr. Publisher, tear down this wall,” the late President Ronald Reagan might have once said.

And so we did.

Starting immediately, all online content from our five Acorn publications will be available at no charge to the reader, meaning a paid subscription is no longer required to click and read articles. The weekly Acorn has always been delivered to your driveway at no cost—that more than 40-year tradition will continue—and from now on The Acorn on the internet will be free as well.

Why the change?

The Acorn is your community newspaper, and we want to make sure it stays that way. We believe it’s important that residents feel a connection to the stories we write and also learn about the businesses that advertise in their community. The absence of a paywall is the best way to ensure this free-flow of information remains.

We also invite readers to sign up for the new, easy-to-read Acorn newspaper e-edition delivered weekly to your e-mail. Viewed on mobile, desktop or laptop, the pages are super easy to navigate and, free, just like the print paper.

Local journalism is first gear in the engine that drives America’s free press, and a free press it shall be.

Archives

Movie hotline appeals to discerning parents



For movie fans, it can sometimes be a challenge to find films that express their view of the world. The search is often more difficult for people who want to see movies that are entertaining, but not offensive. Fortunately, parents and others who want to make responsible film-going choices can now get help from a reliable source—a movie review service […]

Housing rehabilitation plan adopted in Westlake

Acorn Staff Writer

The city of Westlake Village adopted a consultant firm’s housing rehabilitation program last week. Homeowners and mobile homeowners living in unsafe or unhealthy conditions will be given an opportunity to apply for housing assistance from the city through the consultant’s program. Willdan, the consulting firm, was established in 1964. It’s an engineering, planning and financial management firm that serves cities, […]

New church planned for Mulholland in rural Agoura

Acorn Staff Writer

A Catholic group known as the Holy Family Chapel wants to build a new church in rural Agoura. If approved by the Los Angeles Department of Regional Planning, the 9,310 square-foot, two-story church would be constructed at 30188 W. Mulholland Highway, between Sierra Creek and Kanan roads. Also located on the 17-acre site in the scenic Santa Monica hills is […]

New management team named for Westlake business firm

Acorn Staff Writer

Homestore.com, the Westlake Village online real estate company at 30700 Russell Ranch Road, installed a new management team last week after it allegedly overstated revenue up to as much as $95 million for the first three quarters of last year. And while its stock has dropped from January 2000’s high of $138 per share to yesterday’s $2.57 price, Homestore is […]

Padgett resigns as LVMWD president

Acorn Staff Writer

In a move that caught the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District by surprise on Monday, Vernon Padgett resigned as president of the LVMWD Board of Directors. The 72-year-old Calabasas resident was elected to the board in 1998 and became president last year. Padgett will remain on the board and a new president will be elected at the director’s meeting next […]

Disney to honor Teacher of the Year

Acorn Staff Writer

The Disney American Teacher Awards is moving into its 13th year and Oak Park Unified School District (OPUSD) is spreading the word to school staff, students, parents and community members to nominate educators beginning in February. Nominees’ applications must be submitted by May 25. The program was developed to honor outstanding teachers whose talent, commitment and creativity have a profound […]

City of Westlake denies lawsuit

Acorn Staff Writer

Marie Walters of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Rick Elenes of Cardiff, Calif. made a claim against the city of Westlake Village for negligence and wrongful death. The city staff denied it last week. Walters and Elenes are heirs of Sam Walters, 88, who on June 25 died from injuries suffered in a collision with an automobile on Townsgate Road while crossing […]

President’s education plan shouldn’t affect Oak Park

Acorn Staff Writer

President George W. Bush signed his education bill last week. It will leave "no child left behind," Bush said, and Oak Park officials said it shouldn’t affect their operations. Bush wants to close the education gap between rich and poor, and white and minority students, and raise teacher standards. The new law will require that all students, as well as […]

Rocky Oaks artists



SCENIC—Sandy Glover of Malibu paints the rolling green hills of Rocky Oaks Park in rural Malibu on Saturday. Glover and a handful of other artists are part of the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore, Inc. Every month they visit scenic locations in the Santa Monica Mountains as subjects of their artwork. For more information, call Pat […]

Judge orders changes on wording for big-box store ballot measure

Acorn Staff Writer

Judge orders changes on wording for big-box store ballot measure A Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled last week that the impartial analysis of Agoura Hill’s anti-Home Depot referendum was biased and ordered city officials to delete a 19-word sentence in the voter guide that was described as "highly questionable and probably wrong." The voter guide that went to press […]