2019-07-25

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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

Poster contest winners love the county fair

This year marks the 10th year of the annual Ventura County Fair poster contest for students in grades five through 12. Artists were tasked not only with interpreting the fair’s “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” theme, but conveying what the fair means to them. All of the artwork will be on display in the Youth Expo at the fair, […]

Plan a special wedding day with Bridal Premiere

Couples can plan the perfect wedding at the 36th annual Bridal Premiere, which will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun., Aug. 4 at the Hyatt Regency Westlake, 880 S. Westlake Blvd. Couples can save time and money by visiting with local wedding professionals in one location, and take part in day of ideas, expert advice and prizes. The […]

Fairy tale showcase for young actors

PLAY REVIEW /// ‘Once Upon A Mattress’


The musical fairy tale spoof “Once Upon a Mattress” made a star out of Carol Burnett 60 years ago, and since then many multi-talented actors have used the show to demonstrate their performing versatility. The role of Princess Winnifred (or “Fred,” as she prefers to call herself) relies on a deft combination of comedic ability, a powerful singing voice and […]

The Lion rules

Allwayz On Stage contemplates the circle of life next month when it presents Walt Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.” at Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10 and 2 p.m. Aug. 11. The 60-minute musical is based on the Broadway production directed by […]

Young actors look ready to rumble

PLAY REVIEW /// ‘West Side Story’


Each time “West Side Story” is performed, its central themes of warring street gangs, racism, gun violence and bigotry against immigrants become all the more relevant. Five-Star Theatricals’ production, which debuts July 26 at the Kavli Theatre for a two-weekend run, continues the direction theater companies are taking with the 60-year-old musical through ethnically accurate casting and, in 5-Star’s case, […]

‘60s artists stay in the groove

CONCERT REVIEW /// ‘Happy Together Tour’


Fifty years ago, when the coin of the realm was the 45 rpm record, the recording industry featured supergroups like The Beatles, The Doors and the Rolling Stones, and so-called “one-hit wonders,” artists who scored with a monster hit and then vanished. In between these were what I call “five-hit wonders,” groups that worked a No. 1 song into a […]

OPUSD stars shine at Astronomy Night

Y offers childcare for upcoming school year

Yarrow Family YMCA serves elementary schools in Agoura Hills, Westlake Village

YMCA branches serving the Conejo Valley, Simi Valley and Moorpark are registering students in kindergarten through fifth grade for before and after school childcare programs for the coming 2019-2020 school year. Yarrow Family YMCA offers childcare at Yerba Buena, Sumac and Willow elementary schools in Agoura Hills and White Oak Elementary in Westlake Village. A childcare program for kindergartners is […]

Actors get their angst on

SHOCK AND REDEMPTION—The nonprofit Youth Musical Theatre will present “Heathers: the Musical“ at Agoura High School Performing Arts Education Center, 28545 Driver Ave. at 7:30 p.m. July 25 to 28 with 2 p.m. matinees July 27 and 28. The story of extreme teenage angst is told as a satirical parody with an over-the-top story line of violence, sex and bullying. […]

Help for park seniors a phone call away

Church helps with repairs, food


For seniors living in Ranch Mobile Home Park in Thousand Oaks, help is just around the corner. When a fan breaks, a lightbulb needs changing or a faucet is leaking, park residents can get assistance via the mobile home ministry organized by Christian Church of Thousand Oaks. The support system was started more than a decade ago to meet the […]