2009-09-10

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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

Water district earns award



The California Association of Sanitation Agencies gave its 2009 Achievement Award for public outreach and education to Las Virgenes Municipal Water District, based in Calabasas. The water district was recognized for its water conversation programs, including a“50 Ways to Save H2O” campaign and various public outreach activities such as facility tours and education activities tied to the district’s 50 Years […]

Recycled water pipeline receives federal funds



A $1.9-million federal grant has been awarded to the Las Virgenes-Triunfo Joint Powers Authority for the construction of a recycled water pipeline. “This will help us to expand our recycled water system and gives us more transmission capability as we increase use of the water throughout the service area,” said David Lippman, director of facilities and operations for the Las […]

High school group makes contribution to Habitat for Humanity



Women find beauty in friendships

Play Review

“Steel Magnolias,” directed by Jeff Wallach and featuring an all-female cast, provides a heady dose of chick lit at the Camarillo Community Theatre. The “magnolias” are six southern belles living in Chinquapin, La., where everyone knows everyone and nobody moves away. The women find refuge from their menfolk in Truvy’s (Lissa Grafton) beauty shop, a literal no man’s land where […]

Short story contest opens



The Ventura County Writers Club is sponsoring its 10th annual Short Story Contest with a grand prize of $500, second-place prize of $250, and third-place prize of $125.  All submitted stories must be original and may not have been previously published in any newspaper, magazine or book, whether or not the author received compensation. Submissions may be in any genre. […]

Dance school to have auditions



A Step in Time School of Dance will be auditioning students for the company from 9 to 11 a.m. Sat., Sept. 12. The company will perform at Disneyland, National Dance Week, Lincoln Center in New York City and Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and at the London Olympics 2012. For information, call (818) 880-8152.

Pirates to land in Ojai Sept. 19



The 19th annual Gold Coast Pirate Faire will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Sept. 19, 20, 26 and 27 at Lake Casitas Recreation Area, Ojai.  The event is presented by the Visions in Time Foundation and will recreate a 15th to 17th century pirate village with the West Coast’s largest gathering of costumed pirate […]

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Cartoon



Vacationing with The Acorn



A longstanding tradition at the Acorn newspapers is coming to a climax again, and your participation is invited. The deadline for submissions to the “Take Your Acorn on Vacation” 2009 photo contest is Mon., Sept. 14. This year’s contest brings a new element into play: We’re inviting readers to vote for the winners online. The finalists will be posted at […]