2015-12-30

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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

Westlake club celebrates nature in art



The Westlake Village Garden Club will meet Tues., Jan. 5 at the North Ranch Community Center, 1400 N. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Refreshments will be served at 9.30 a.m. followed by the meeting from 10 a.m. to noon. Artist Susan Rios will present “Garden Celebration in Painting. A self-taught painter, Rios has been painting with acrylics for more than 30 […]

Building bears for charity



VERY BEARY SWEET—The girls from Lupin Hill Elementary School Daisy Troop 2296 in Calabasas make stuffed bears at a Build-A-Bear workshop in Thousand Oaks. They later donated the cuddly creations to the My Stuffed Bags charity in a gesture of holiday giving.

Pet of the week



LAID BACK CAT— Charlie is an easy-going, altered male, black, domestic cat about 6 years old. To adopt Charlie, ask for ID No. A4898703 at the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter, 29525 Agoura Road. Occasionally pets have already been adopted, so check www.animalcare.lacounty.gov before visiting the shelter.

Bird and tree have lasting relationship




Is it a human’s responsibility to provide habitat for wildlife? This question weighed heavily on me and my friend as we tackled a long overdue trim of a particularly unruly scrub oak in her backyard. The fire department did not like the tree. The board of directors that oversees our community did not like the tree. My friend had mixed […]

EYE ON LOCAL AREA STOCKS



Calabasas officials wrap up new city waste hauling agreement




Calabasas officials approved a new seven-year franchise agreement with Waste Management to provide trash pickup and recycling services to the residents and businesses in the city. The waste disposal company will pay a $219,000 annual franchise fee, and make a onetime administrative payment of $85,000 for the exclusive right to operate in the city. Previously, Calabasas had separate exclusive franchise […]

Become a hospice volunteer



Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association will offer free hospice volunteer training in January. The training will give attendees the confidence to enter the homes and lives of others to support them as a part of the Livingston Hospice team. For more information, including dates and location, call Maddy Hazard at (805) 642-0239, ext. 775, or email mhazard@lmvna.org.

Free health classes



Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association will offer these free monthly education classes in January: Diabetes classes. General information is provided about type 2 diabetes and the development of an individualized plan of care that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring. Call (805) 642-0239 for more information. The classes will meet as follows: Wed., Jan. 6 from 10:30 a.m. […]

Cancer support programs offered in Westlake Village



In addition to its ongoing programs of support and education, the Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara will offer the following free classes for people with cancer, cancer survivors and their loved ones at 530 Hampshire Road, Thousand Oaks, unless noted otherwise. For more information or to register, call (805) 379-4777 or visit www.CancerSupportVvsb.org, unless noted otherwise. Explore Personal Peace— Discover […]

LA County residents can comment on need for local parks

Westlake Village to host assessment workshop

The County of Los Angeles is conducting a county-wide assessment of the need for parks and recreation in both cities and unincorporated areas. The goal of the Park Needs Assessment is to engage all communities within the county in a collaborative process to gather input for future decision making on parks and recreation. To assist in this effort, the City […]