2012-04-12

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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

Pet of the Week



Event to raise funds for mountain lion research



The Santa Monica Mountains Fund will raise funds for mountain lion research in the Santa Monica Mountains at an event from 2 to 5 p.m. Sun., April 22 in Westlake Village. Along with wine and food, the event will feature Jeff Sikitch, lead biologist for Project Bobcat Updates, who will have excerpts from a film about mountain lions. A concert […]

Learn about tracing family history

Richard McBride to speak at free conference

The Ventura County Genealogical Society will host a free Family History Conference from 8: 30 a. m. to 4: 15 p. m. Sat., April 28 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3501 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Teaching staff from the Los Angeles Family History Library will provide classroom instruction on genealogical research at both the beginning and […]

School district becomes tax collector following billing error by county

2,400 property owners could face penalties


Local property owner Ofer Bick received a tax bill from the Las Virgenes Unified School District that made him wonder if he might be a victim of some nefarious email scam. Bick, who owns two parcels in the unincorporated area of Calabasas, and about 2,400 other property owners who are paying the $98-per-year school parcel tax, received an invoice from […]

Chinese educators visit A.C. Stelle



Homes foundation shows heart




Making a house a home isn’t always easy, especially when times are hard and repair costs are high. Charitable organizations normally assisting those who can’t afford home their repairs aren’t able to help as much as they used to. That’s where the Hartman House comes in. The nonprofit organization based in Calabasas has been helping people in poverty-stricken regions in […]

Edith Huse of Westlake Village



One of Westlake Village’s oldest early residents passes at 99. Edith Huse of Westlake Village, wife of Russell Huse (1908- 2004), died on April 1, 2012, only three weeks after her 99th birthday that she celebrated with family and friends in her garden overlooking the Santa Monica mountains. She passed away peacefully in her home attended by family, friends and […]

At The Library



The theme for National Library Week is “You Belong @ Your Library.” Westlake Village Library at 31200 Oak Crest Drive will host these events. Thurs., April 12 at 4 p.m. Award-winning storyteller Michael D. McCarty will tell why “You Belong @ Your Library!” For children of all ages. These activities will take place Sat., April 14. 11 a.m. Puzzle day, […]

Earth Day Festival



The Calabasas Earth Day Festival will be from 2 to 5 p.m. Sat., April 14 at Las Virgenes Creek on Agoura Road. The event will have live music, giveaways, green expo, a recycling art contest and wildlife presentations. Admission is free. For driving directions or more information, call the City of Calabasas Environmental Services at (818) 224-1600 or go to […]

Learn about wildowers



The National Park Service will present the lecture “Capturing Ephemeral Beauty: A Celebration of California’s Wildflowers” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sat., April 21 at the NPS Visitor Center, 401 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Part of the National Park Service’s free lecture series, the event will concentrate on the diversity of wildflowers in the Santa Monica Mountains and other […]