2005-08-25

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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

Marmonte League football teams gain extra playoff spot



In a move several Marmonte League football coaches called “long overdue,” the CIF-Southern Section decided in May to give the league an additional automatic berth into the Division IV playoffs. Now the top four finishers in the eight-team league will receive an invite into the postseason, whereas in years past only the top three were assured a spot, leaving the […]

Diantha Shaffer



Local Oak Park area specialist, Diantha Shaffer of Troop Real Estate was recently awarded agent of the year, Rising Star and top listing agent of the month in both the first and second quarters of 2005. Westlake Village Troop Real Estate office manager Patti Hepple praised Shaffer for her recent successes, “Having an agent like Diantha in our office is […]

Gayle Caughey



Over her 26 years of real estate experience, Re/ Max on the Boulevard top producer, Gayle Caughey, has been providing topnotch service to her valued clients for all their real estate needs. A broker with the prestigious Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation, Caughey’s hard work and dedication to her clients has earned her much success as a professional whose main […]

Tom Geiser



Tom Geiser, a consistent top-producing sales professional and five consecutive time Diamond Sales Award winner with Sotheby’s International Realty (formerly Young Realtors) was commended by Joan Young, vice president, for being named among the top listers and sellers for the first half of 2005 at the firm’s Westlake Village office. Geiser is ranked in the top 1 percent of agents […]

View Home with Spa



This delightful, private 2-story home offers a view and spa. The 4-bedroom, 3bath home in Thousand Oaks has one bedroom and bath downstairs. Features include a bay window in the living and family rooms, two fireplaces, wood floor in the family room, plus a 3-car garage with storage area. For more information on this home priced at $899,000, call Mark […]

Top of the Hill Townhome



This gorgeous 3-bedroom townhome is located in the sought after Hidden Canyon complex. It’s completely remodeled with maple flooring throughout the downstairs. The kitchen has bullnose granite counters, tumbled travertine backsplash, topof-the-line stainless appliances, maple cabinets plus a central island with wine rack and butcher blacktop. Other amenities include ceiling fans in all bedrooms, fresh paint and more. For more […]

Family Friendly Floor Plan



This 4-bedroom, 3-bath home with a family friendly floor plan is located in a popular neighborhood in a private location at the end of a cul-de-sac. Highlights include newer dual paned windows, two balconies, smooth ceilings, newer neutral carpet and recessed lighting. The entry contains extensive ceramic tile flooring and brick accents. The large sunken living room has hardwood flooring […]

The silent majority



Westlake Village faces one of the most controversial developments in the city’s history—the proposed 168,000-square-foot Lowe’s home improvement center already has drawn much heated debate—yet not a single resident made a move to challenge the city council incumbents in this fall’s election. The three council members up for reelection are Robert Slavin, Mark Rutherford and Sue McSweeny. The city says […]

Wants your vote



I am writing for your vote in the Agoura Hills City Council election this November. There are three seats available and each citizen may vote for three different candidates. I am asking for one of your votes and I hope you will give my candidacy every consideration. Over the past few years, the city council has not done its job. […]

Calabasas fundraiser welcomes Hillary Clinton



U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (DNew York) visited Calabasas recently on a fundraising campaign hosted by Calabasas resident Rashel Pouri, who’s been friends with Clinton for about eight years. Pouri, who operates a number of businesses including a fund-raising organization for children surviving war in the Middle East, helped organize the Clinton visit. Clinton and her supporters are looking not just […]