2013-09-19

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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

School districts say farewell to API with a decline in scores




The Academic Performance Index scores for California public schools showed their first decline in a decade, but even with slightly lower scores in some areas, Las Virgenes and Oak Park unified school districts still rank in the top 2 percent statewide. The API score, based on a 1,000-point scale, is compiled from the results of the state’s annual STAR testing […]

On the Trail



The cottonwood quest Even on a nature quest, it may be advisable sometimes to follow a modified version of Glinda the Good Witch’s famous travel directive to the wizard-seeking Dorothy Gale. On my quest to track down some native Fremont cottonwoods growing in the riparian woodland surrounding my rural Agoura community, I learned it was wise to “Follow the yellow […]

Historian respectful of the past




When Cim Castellon discovered the city of Agoura Hills had a hidden archive of historical treasures and ephemera waiting to see the light of day, she knew she had a job to do. Castellon was already a valued member of the city’s Cultural Arts Council, and had made substantial changes in the way the Reyes Adobe Historical Site showcased the […]

New board members on arts council



The nonprofit Arts Council of the Conejo Valley started its new year with new board members on Sept. 10 at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks. The new board president is Pat Johnson of Westlake Village. Johnson, who was on the former board of governors, has been involved for many years with the arts council, including as […]

Adventures await



FAMILY FONDESS— Above, Frank Padilla congratulates Ryley Riodan for learning to balance a spinning plate at the Triunfo YMCA’s recent “Taste of Adventure Guides” barbecue at Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills. Right, Anna Moss teaches Kayla Ames, 7, to be a straight shooter.

Awardwinning writer at Brandeis luncheon



Patt Morrison will be the guest speak at Brandeis Conejo Valley’s fall luncheon and boutique at 10 a.m. Thurs., Oct. 10 at North Ranch Country Club, 4761 Valley Spring Drive, Westlake Village. Morrison is a Los Angeles Times writer, public radio and TV host, author, and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes and six Emmy Awards. Admission is $ 70. For […]

Horses strut their stuff at special event



DRAMATIC ENTRANCE—Bareback riders from the Foxfield Equestrian Team of Westlake Village carry American flags into the arena at the ninth annual Day of the Horse on Sept. 14. Below, Foxfield riders demonstrate how to control their mounts without bridles or saddles. The event was at Conejo Creek Equestrian Park in Thousand Oaks.

Wowing the world with magic




Move over David Copperfield, Criss Angel and all you other brain-teasing magicians. Jason Latimer is ready to bend some light, shape water, walk through solid objects—and blow some minds. The 32-year-old Latimer, an Agoura High School graduate, will perform at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on Sept. 25. He plans to showcase 8 tons of his specially designed magic tricks, […]

TOWER OF POWER—



Beach advocate named new chief executive for Heal the Bay



Ruskin Hartley has been named the new chief executive officer of Heal the Bay, the nonprofit group that advocates on behalf of Southern California’s beaches and oceans. Hartley comes to Heal the Bay following a six-year stint as executive director and secretary of the Save the Redwoods League, a San Francisco-based organization focused on studying, restoring and protecting old-growth forests […]