2012-08-09

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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

New store puts its best foot forward



Young Soles, a children’s specialty shoe store in The Oaks mall, will celebrate its grand opening Sat., and Sun., Aug. 11 and 12 at the mall in Thousand Oaks. Young Soles features selections of trendy, high-quality brand shoes and accessories for infants to preteen. The store is a family-owned business run by the husband-andwife team of Jason and Erin Lata, […]

Thrashers smash ‘em



Families can learn about nutrition at farmers market



School will soon to be back in session so it’s time for families to think about school lunches and making good choices for sound nutrition. To help families teach their kids about the importance of healthy eating, the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association is offering schoolaged children the opportunity to visit the markets and meet the farmers. “ We […]

Summer ends with modern, classical music



The Pacific Pearl Symphony Orchestra will present its Sounds of Summer Concert from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Sun., Aug. 12 in the sanctuary at United Methodist Church of Westlake Village, 1049 S. Westlake Blvd. The event is sponsored by the Pacific Pearl Music Association, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization of musicians. The concert will feature music from contemporary composers and classical […]

Murder on the menu



Whodunnit Diner, an interactive murder mystery dinner theater, will present “The Silent Movie Murder” from 7:30 to 10 p.m. every Sunday night from Aug. 19 through Nov. 11 at the Palm Garden Hotel, 495 Ventu Park Road, Thousand Oaks. Brendan’s Irish Pub will cater the dinner. During the evening, guests will be served a three-course meal and will participate in […]

Family barbecue at the YMCA



A wonderful concert in T.O.



Conejo Recreation and Park District’s free 2012 Summer Concerts in the Park Series will present Carolyn Wonderland at 5 p.m. Sun., Aug. 12 in the natural amphitheater at Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks. Austin-based singer, songwriter and musician, Wonderland will blend Southern vocals with whistling skills. Her songs have been featured on “Homicide” and “Time of Your […]

AYBA girls attack it



Boys & Girls get a taste of summer



Two baby mountain lions are cause for celebration



Biologists from the National Park Service recently discovered two mountain lion kittens in the Santa Monica Mountains. The female and male kittens were outfitted with tracking devices after researchers located their den east of Circle X Ranch in Malibu. “The fact that successful reproduction is occurring in the mountains indicates that we have high-quality habitat for mountain lions here,” said […]