2005-06-16

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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

Westlake Village ‘TGIF’ series to present The Footloose Band



The city of Westlake Village’s summer special event series presents The Footloose Band at 7 p.m. Fri., June 17 at the Westlake Village Civic Center courtyard, 31200 Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. The band will play hits from the ’80s and ’90s while sporting some of the most memorable outfits from those decades. The outdoor show is free and families […]

Theatricum Botanicum plans entertaining summer festival



The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum Summer Festival will be presented through Oct. 30 in the outdoor theater at 1419 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Opening the summer repertory season is “Othello,” Shakespeare’s riveting story of passion and betrayal starring James Avery in the title role. Back by popular demand is Theatricum’s award-winning version of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Both plays […]

Emerging talent



No Title



Forget the senseless hype about Brad and Angelina—friends or lovers? Do they or don’t they? Will they or won’t they? Good grief, do we really need that kind of buzz to sell a decent flick these days? What we’re not being told (or what the new breed of Hollywood marketers seems to have forgotten) is that “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” […]

Gypsy Players to present new interactive murder mystery



Gypsy Players presents a new interactive murder mystery dinner event, “Ray Ranger and the Mystery of Radon Ranch” on select dates June through September at Corriganville Park and Pauls Italian Villa, both in Simi Valley. Outdoor barbecue shows will be held at Corriganville on Sat., July 23, Sat., Aug. 20 and Sun., Sept. 18. This mystery spoof gives the audience […]

German baroque music to be featured in CLU concert



The Music Department at California Lutheran University will sponsor a program of German baroque music performed by Ensemble Bella Musica at 4 p.m. Sun., June 26 in Samuelson Chapel on the campus at 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Members of Ensemble Bella Musica include ensemble music director Joshua Shekhtir on baroque violin, Denise Briesé on bass viol, Eric Kinsley […]

Four Seasons, Lowe’s, what next



Why do I oppose building a Lowe’s in Westlake Village? Let me count the ways: There will be traffic problems. The freeway exit at Lindero Canyon Road is well designed and may be able to handle the increased traffic. But the surface streets are another story. The intersection of Lindero and Thousand Oaks Boulevard is particularly problematic with the turn […]

Renaissance opposes Lowe’s



I have lived at RenaissanceHome Owners Association for more than seven years. My reasons for moving to Westlake Village were very clear. I could look around during the day and see mountains surrounding me. At night I could look up and see the stars. Around me were beautiful oak trees, instead of mini strip malls and big box stores. The […]

Pearl of wisdom



In response to Ray Pearl “No one paid me to say I vote and I support the Lowe’s project” in “Need Lowe’s, not offices” in the May 26 letters to The Acorn. Then why did you not come out and mention in your letter that you were a lobbyist for the Building Industry of America and are now employed by […]

Westlake picks consultant



The Westlake Village City Council agreed to use the consulting firm CB Richard Ellis to conduct the fiscal impact report for the proposed Lowe’s development. The financial report will be part of the overall environmental impact report (EIR) currently being prepared by Willdan and Associations. An EIR is typically requested by city councils and planning commissions when considering whether or […]