2008-09-04

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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

Teens can volunteer for program

Friendship Circle has orientation this weekend

An orientation for teens interested in volunteering with the Conejo Valley Friendship Circle will be held from 5:45 to 8 p.m. Sun., Sept. 7 at the Milken Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. The Conejo Valley Friendship Circle is a program that extends friendship to families in the Jewish community who have children with special needs. The orientation […]

Book Bag to hold sidewalk sale



The Book Bag will hold its fourth annual sidewalk sale to benefit literacy in the Conejo Valley from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri. and Sat., Sept. 5 and 6 at The Book Bag, 202 N. Skyline Drive, Thousand Oaks. Prices are $1 for hardcover books, 50 cents for paperbacks, 50 cents and less for children’s books. Cash and checks […]

Eagles soar in Thousand Oaks tournament



THREE IN A ROW—The Eagles soccer club U11 team celebrates winning the Thousand Oaks Classic three years in a row. The team was invited to compete in last weekend’s Blues Cup in San Diego. Back row, from left: Coach Andrew Montenegro, Lindsay Greenblatt, Sarah Pascual, Rachel Beiermann, Hayley Greenblatt, Taylor Corpuz, Zaria Francis, Lauren Fountain, Sasha Savitzky, Coach Robert Sleepsin. […]

Labor Day line-up



SCUTTLEBUTT—The winners at the Labor Day Regatta at the Westlake Village Yacht Club display their trophies. Left, Riley Magadow and, right, Max Kibble, took first and second place in the Sabat B class race. Will Dorosk, center, took first in the Sabat C class race. The Westlake Yacht Club offers sailing programs for youth and adults at all levels of […]

Cal Lutheran University selects new director of church relations



The Rev. Arne Bergland has been selected as the director of church relations for California Lutheran University. He began his new position Sept. 2. Bergland will sustain and expand CLU’s relationships within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He will focus on the five synods and 731 congregations in California, Hawaii, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and parts of […]

Compassion counts



Once I received a note in response to an article I wrote about the idea that we always have a choice as to whether we see our physical bodies as a blessing or a burden. The writer shared with me the fact that her 22-year-old nephew was dealing with neurofibromatosis, also known as Elephant Man’s disease. Without going into detail, […]

Church presents class on Christian basics

Program begins with free dinner

Westlake Lutheran Church will present the video, “Christianity: Boring, Untrue, and Irrelevant?” on Sun., Sept. 7 at the church, 2630A Townsgate Road, Westlake Village. A free dinner will be served at 5 p.m., followed by the video, which examines the unique claims of Christianity. The program is designed for those who are not active in the Christian faith or have […]

Jewish political forum to address election



A forum addressing the Jewish vote for the upcoming election will be at 7:15 p.m. Wed., Sept. 10 at Temple Etz Chaim, 1080 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Registration begins 7 p.m. Panelists will include Andrew Lachman, president of Democrats for Israel Los Angeles, and Larry Greenfield, California director of the Republican Jewish Coalition. They will examine the policies of […]

National Unitarian leader to speak at dedication



The national leader of the Unitarian Universalist denomination, the Rev. William G. Sinkford, will speak at dedication ceremonies for the Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship’s new sanctuary and multipurpose building at 4 p.m. Sun., Sept. 7 at 3327 Old Conejo Road in Newbury Park. Seating will be limited and guests are advised to arrive early. The proceedings will be televised […]

Jewel thieves strike in Westlake Village



SCENE OF THE CRIME—Deputies investigate an armed robbery that occurred Aug. 20 at Kirk’s Jewelers in Westlake Village. Thieves wearing hooded sweatshirts intercepted a delivery of gemstones and fled in a green minivan, authorities said. The car above suffered damage. The suspects were described as Hispanic males in dark clothing. One of them was carrying a weapon.