2019-08-08

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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

Summer concert rocks the park

Sandra Fay Wahl

Sandra Fay Wahl was born October 26, 1942 to Henry and Eleanor Wahl in San Diego, Ca. The Wahl’s were an extremely musical family, so it was no surprise that Sandy’s life-path took her in a musical direction. Sandy was born with a rare medical disorder, which was cured in a healing service at Calvary Temple in Denver Colorado when […]

Karaoke gig kicks in again to help nonprofits

Singing for a cause on Aug. 11


Community leaders and professional performers are again teaming up to sing for some of the Conejo Valley’s hardest-working nonprofits. This year, more than 20 brave souls will grace the stage Sun., Aug. 11 at The Canyon in Agoura Hills for the second annual Charity Karaoke: Sing for a Cause fundraiser hosted by the Conejo Senior Volunteer Program. The brainchild of […]

Carnival games, treats, barnyard critters and fireworks equal love at the fair

COMMENTARY /// Ventura County Fair


Love is in the fair. Sure, during the day moms and dads spend their time herding toddlers through the animal exhibits at the Ventura County Fair. Little ones coo at the calves and baby goats. They stick their fingers through the bunny cages and pet the horses that lean over their stall doors for a little loving. Slightly older kiddos […]

Bachelor sighting in Westlake

TV hunk seen around town

CAUGHT ON CAMERA— Acorn reader Melissa Weiner of Thousand Oaks runs into an ex-bachelor contender from the popular ABC reality series “The Bachelorette.” Peter Weber, a 27-year-old pilot from Westlake, got the boot from “Bachelorette” Hanah Brown in the final days of the series. At last word, Weber is still single, so keep your eyes out for more Weber sightings […]

High-flying celebration in Westlake

On the Trail

Nothing too out of the ordinary happens along the greenbelts of the First Neighborhood community in Westlake Village. The lush lawns are meticulously mown, and the many varied trees shed leaves and drop wind-snapped branchlets. Folks walk their dogs, and young parents push baby strollers. Kids ride bikes or scooters or hang upside down from the monkey bars. Adults toting […]

At the library

Agoura Hills The Agoura Hills Library will offer the following free programs at 29901 Ladyface Court. Book donations to the Book Cellar help fund these and other programs. For more information, call (818) 584-7219. Fri., Aug. 9, 16, 23 and 30 at 9:30 a.m.: Linnea Richards conducts Music N Motion for Babies and Toddlers ages 9 months to 2 years […]

A frightfully good show

PLAY REVIEW /// ‘Young Frankenstein’


It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 45 years since Mel Brooks brought “Young Frankenstein,” his broad spoof of Universal Pictures horror movies, to the big screen. As with “The Producers,” Brooks would create a musical adaptation, which made its Broadway debut in 2007, including songs written by Brooks that celebrate the glory days of vaudeville and Hollywood musicals. It’s […]

A hot night of laughs at Hillcrest center

Live Standup Comedy on the Hill returns at 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 10 at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. July’s lineup has Robert G. Lee, Jeff Johnson, Forrest Shaw and Jim McDonald. Professional local comedian Jason Love will host and produce the monthly show, which features a new […]

Cult musical explores deep, dark issues

PLAY REVIEW /// ‘Heathers’


During the intermission for Youth Musical Theatre’s production of the cult musical “Heathers,” a parent was heard asking her companion, “Was this really on Broadway?” The answer is, not exactly (it appeared off-Broadway in 2014), but we can understand the concerned parent’s incredulity that a show dealing with taboo subjects like date rape, suicide, bullying and school bomb threats could […]