2008-02-21

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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

Heschel names new headmaster



Oak Park resident Tami Weiser began duties Feb. 11 as the new Head of School at Heschel West. The Jewish day school east of Agoura Hills said Weiser’s hiring resulted from a nationwide search. Weiser was formerly the principal at Palisades Elementary School, which became a California Distinguished School in 2006 under her leadership. She also was the assistant principal […]

Creek restoration unveiled to the public this Saturday



After more than seven months of restoration and construction, the city of Calabasas is ready to officially celebrate the reopening of the Las Virgenes Creek. A ceremony and gathering will be held Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the creek project site on Agoura Road near Las Virgenes Road. The event is free and the public is […]

Advances in technology good for education

For school district's 'ET' team, the future is now

Getting classrooms up to speed for the demands of 21stcentury technology takes more than new computers, high-tech gadgets and other hardware. It takes proper leaders. As director of educational technology at the Las Virgenes Unified School District, Trish Paulson is on the front line of the effort to integrate technology into LVUSD classrooms. Paulson is the leader of the district’s […]

Dear Consumer Adviser…

Avoid cellphone pitfalls

A cellphone contract doesn’t always have to be a drain on the wallet. By avoiding the seven snares outlined below by the Utility Reform Network, a statewide utility watchdog group based in San Francisco, it’s possible to avoid those unpleasant surprises in the monthly wireless bill. •Underestimating or overestimating minutes. Consumers pay an arm and a leg for exceeding the […]

Final trail purchase is completed



The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced recently it has purchased one of the last remaining properties needed to complete the 65-mile Backbone Trail System. The 10-acre property in Encinal Canyon in unincorporated Ventura County provides a critical link to more than 20 miles of the trail between Los Angeles County and Point Mugu. The $275,000 purchase price includes […]

Motorcycle haven is subject of winning documentary



The Rock Store has been known as a motorcycle Mecca for decades, but the quaint mom-and-pop pit stop in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains is about to become an even bigger tourist attraction with the release of a new documentary film. Christopher Leps, a veteran stuntman turned filmmaker, finished producing “Ed & Vern’s Rock Store” last September. He […]

Chili, motorcycles and movie stars



Ed and Veronica (Vern) Savko recently installed new seating booths at the Rock Store, the popular hangout for motorcyclists in the mountains near Agoura Hills. There’ve been other improvements over the years but, for the most part, the famous Mulholland Highway biker destination hasn’t changed much since the couple bought it more than four decades ago. When I tried to […]

Three Calabasas Boy Scouts achieve high rank of Eagle



Calabasas residents Aaron Burgess, Michael Steffen and Parker Zak have become the latest members of Boy Scout Troop 22 to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. The awards were presented in a joint ceremony on Feb. 16 at Prince of Peace Episcopal Church in Woodland Hills. To achieve the highest Scouting honor, the three young men advanced through six prior […]

Mardi Gras ball comes to Agoura Hills



Mardi Gras Masquerade, a dinner, dance and auction to benefit Sumac Elementary School, will be Sat., March 1 at the Agoura Renaissance Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills. Silent auction and cocktails begin at 6 p.m., followed by a champagne reception, live jazz music, award-winning Central Coast wines, a Creolestyle catered dinner and live auction. Other highlights will include the […]

St. Max casino fundraiser



The annual fundraiser for St. Maximilian Kolbe Korner Preschool, “Casino Royale,” will be on Sat., Feb. 23 in the church hall at 5801 Kanan Road, Westlake Village. The event begins with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction at 6:30 p.m., followed by a dinner, live auction, gaming tables and a poker tournament from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Bob Eubanks, […]