2009-11-05

Read the Latest Acorn!

Click below to read the latest edition of The Acorn!

Enjoy the new online reading experience!

Subscribe to The Acorn

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

Political Cartoon



They just can’t get along



Funny how the city of Agoura Hills and its Chamber of Commerce, two entities that are supposed to be supportive of one another, just can’t seem to get along. The two sides have a history of bickering that goes back some 20 years. In rare moments of cooperation, the city would give the Chamber funds and the Chamber would reciprocate […]

Called to the Torah



Tara Ashley Bilchik was called to the Torah as a bat mitzvah of The Center for Early Jewish Education in Thousand Oaks on Oct. 3. The service was celebrated at The Renaissance Hotel in Agoura Hills. She is the daughter of Marci and Daniel Bilchik of Oak Park and is an eighth-grader at Medea Creek Middle School..

Superman’s origins discussed



The Conejo Jewish Academy will host a lecture titled “Is Superman Jewish? How Jewish history, culture and values shaped the comic book superhero” at 8 p.m. Mon., Nov. 9 at the academy, 30345 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. The guest lecturer, Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, is the author of the book “Up, Up and Oy Vey!” which received the Benjamin Franklin Award […]

Play examines gay student’s murder



The Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will present a production of the play “The Laramie Project” at 8 p.m. Fri. and Sat., Nov. 6 and 7 in the fellowship’s sanctuary, 3327 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park. The play is a dramatic look at the killing of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard, an openly gay student at the University of Wyoming, who was […]

‘Curl’ up with a good game



The SoCal Curling Club will host an open house at 7 p.m. Sat., Nov. 7 at the Iceoplex, 131 W. Easy St., Simi Valley. The event is open to anyone age 12 and older who would like to learn how to curl. Cost is $20. Rules and techniques will be taught during the open house. All equipment is provided. The […]

Teen band to battle in competition



The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM), the trade association of the international music products industry, has placed Left On Bromely of Oak Park High School in the semifinals of the School Jam USA teen battle of the bands competition. The nationwide contest assists school music programs and encourages teen bands across the United States to demonstrate their musical talents. […]

Vaudeville returns to Agoura



Agoura High School’s Theater Arts Boosters presents Vintage Vaudeville, a cabaret night talent show, at 7 p.m. Sat., Nov. 7 in the school’s Performing Arts G building, 28545 Driver Ave. The students will perform acts that honor vaudeville’s glory days. Attendees are asked to bring nonperishable food donations for Manna food bank. Admission is $8 students and $10 adults. For […]

Hope is focus of Universal Love fundraiser



Universal Love Foundation will host its ninth annual fundraiser luncheon, “A Touch of Hope,” at 10:30 a.m. Sun., Nov. 8 at the Four Seasons Hotel, Two Dole Drive, Westlake Village. The public is invited. The event will begin with a silent Auction and boutique. The luncheon will feature entertainment by internationally-acclaimed pianist Shariar Rohani, and renowned Los Angeles magician Chad […]

Neighborhood Focus

New Westlake vineyard has roots deep in community

The idea to plant a vineyard on the corner of Lakeview Canyon and Agoura Road came, appropriately, over a glass of wine. John Notter, owner of the Westlake Village Inn, wanted a vineyard. He had grown up in Switzerland where his family owned several vineyards. He asked his chief financial officer, Chris Cuilty, to find one. “The suggestion was made […]