2011-02-10

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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

Seniors to tour NBC studios

Lunch follows at Smoke House

The Agoura Hills Senior Center will take a trip to the NBC studios and lunch at the Smoke House Restaurant on Thurs., Feb. 17. The bus will leave from the Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd., at 9 a.m. and return at approximately 3 p.m. The NBC tour will have a visit to its television studio, the “Tonight […]

Stagecoach Inn Museum welcomes new volunteers



The Stagecoach Inn Museum will host an orientation day for prospective volunteers and docents from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 26 at the museum, 51 S. Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park. Participants will learn about the rich heritage of the area and the history of the Conejo Valley from the Chumash to present. The day will have a […]

Rose Marie tells it like it is, from a grandmother’s perspective, in comic CD

Library offers CD for free checkout

Rose Marie, star of “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” lends her talents as host of the comedy CD “ Grandmas Rock!,” now available for check out at the Westlake Village Library, 31200 Oak Crest Drive. Any resident of Ventura or Los Angeles counties can borrow the CD at no charge even if they are not library members, since the CD […]

Volunteers needed for visitor center



Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is seeking volunteers to staff the Visitor Center at 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. The volunteers assist park visitors from around the world by supplying information about trails and helping with park events, programs and bookstore sales. Weekday and weekend shifts are available. Knowledge of trails and park sites in the mountains is […]

Fun for all at Winter Faire



Bella Vita to meet



Bella Vita Italian Social Club will meet at 6 p.m. Fri., Feb. 25 at St. Jude Catholic Church Hall, 32032 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. A Chinese dinner with ice cream for dessert will be served. Bingo Bash will be played after dinner. Guests are welcome. Call Marie at (805) 230-9945 for reservations.

Country club hosts bridal fair



Country Club Receptions will present a free Bridal Show from 5 to 8 p.m. Thurs., Feb. 24 at Sunset Hills Country Club, 4155 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks. Those shopping for a wedding location can view the grounds and learn about options available when planning a wedding, including the latest in ballroom design, catering and entertainment choices. To be added to […]

Yaroslavsky to speak on the state budget



Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks will host the eighth in the quarterly dinner series at 7 p.m. Wed., Feb. 16 at Cigale Café, 704 Lindero Canyon Road, Oak Park. Los Angeles Conty Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky will lead a discussion about the impact of the state budget on local government and potential pitfalls. The cost is $35 in advance. The event […]

Rummaging for a good read



Author talk looks at Ishiro Honda’s films



A book talk on “Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda” by Peter Hayes Brothers, will take place from 7 to 8 p.m. Wed., Feb. 16 in the multilast purpose room of Westlake Village Library, 31220 Oak Crest Drive. For more information, call Nina Hull, community library manager, at (818) 865-9230.