2011-04-01

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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

UCLA doctors perform milestone hand transplant



Surgeons at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center performed the first hand transplant in the western United States in an operation that began one minute before midnight on March 4 and was completed 14½ hours later on March 5. The transplant was performed on a 26-year-old mother from Northern California who had lost her right hand in a traffic accident nearly […]

Trail ride will benefit St. Jude’s



A “cowboy” barbecue and trail ride to benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital is set for 10 a.m. Sat., April 9 at the Double H Cattle Ranch in Moorpark. Horse owners and trail riders can explore a real working cattle ranch courtesy of John Harvey and help the young patients at St. Jude Children’s Hospital. The cost is $25 for Equestrian […]

H2U meeting focuses on heart



The Health, Happiness to You group (H2U) of Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center welcomes the community to its free monthly meeting from 3 to 5 p.m. Thurs., April 7 at 2011 Los Robles Hospital, East Campus, 150 Via Merida, Westlake Village. Dr. Leo Polosajian, experienced physician in cardiac electrophysiology, will discuss “Understanding and Treatment of Heart Failure and Palpitations” […]

Mood support group to meet



DBSA Ventura, the local chapter of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, hosts two regular, confidential, peerled, self-help support groups in Ventura County. The evening meeting for adults takes place every Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church, 6950 Ralston St., room 301 of building 300, Ventura. Attendees should enter the parking lot off Johnson Drive. The […]

Classes offered on diabetes, joint replacement



The Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association is offering free classes in diabetes management and joint replacement. The diabetes class will cover Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes and developing an individual plan of care with diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring. The diabetes classes are as follows. Thousand Oaks: 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 27, May 25, June 22 […]

Hospital women raising funds for ER expansion

Annual luncheon includes fashion show, auctions

Simi Valley Hospital Foundation’s Hats Off to Women annual fundraiser, celebrating the many hats that women wear, will be presented by the First Ladies of the foundation from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fri., April 15 at the House of the Book at American Jewish University’s Brandeis-Bardin Campus, Simi Valley. The day will have a luncheon, fashion show, silent and […]

Local groups offer support for hearing impaired



The Hearing Loss Association, an educational, advocacy and support group for the hearing-impaired, will meet at 1 p.m. Sat., April 2 at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. The program will cover the differences between an audiologist and a hearing aid specialist. For more information, call Ruth at (805) 526-9845 or email ruth_ 6572@sbcglobal.net or […]

Park rangers, researchers bring science to life



The National Park Service will host the second annual Santa Monica Mountains Science Festival April 15 to 16 at Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills. The event is free and open to the public. Hours are 7 to 10 p.m. Fri., April 15 and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat., April 16. On Friday after sundown, park rangers and regional scientists […]

Grants to provide kids with healthy snacks



Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public instruction, released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement that California will receive more than $10.8 million next school year to provide grants for elementary schools to offer fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to students. “Studies show when children eat balanced diets, are physically active, avoid dangerous behavior and are surrounded […]

Local students challenged to be prepared

Art, video contests focus on disaster readiness

The Ventura County Emergency Planning Council has partnered with the Ventura County Office of Education to help teach children the importance of disaster preparedness. All Ventura County public school children have been invited to accept the challenge in preparing for emergencies. They can participate in two contests. The art and video contests focus on the importance of having an emergency […]