2011-04-08

Read the Latest Simi Valley Acorn!

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Enjoy the new online reading experience!

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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

Simi synagogue marks Passover



Congregation B’nai Emet will host its annual community Passover Seder at 6 p.m. Tues., April 19 at the synagogue, 9 W. Bonita St., Simi Valley. Rabbi Michele Paskow will lead the service, which will include activities for children. Majestic Caterers will prepare the kosher dinner. Member prices are $36 for adults and $20 for children age 6 to 12. Nonmember […]

University women sending Simi girls to tech camp

Middle-schoolers nominated by teachers

The Simi Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is sponsoring four girls for Tech Trek, a math, science and technology camp scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 6 at UC Santa Barbara. The 13th annual $800 scholarships are awarded to Barbara Czarnecka and Julene Jessel of Sinaloa school and Mariah Ewing and Alex Judge of Hillside […]

The Tokens to play at Santa Su

Concert benefits Education Foundation

The Simi Valley Education Foundation will host the first community sponsored event at the new Performing Arts Center at Santa Susana High School on Sun., April 17. The Tokens will present benefit concerts at 3 and 6 p.m. at the school, 3570 Cochran Street, Simi Valley. The five-member ensemble, famous for the songs “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” and “Tonight I […]

Fallen tree damages roof of Apollo High building

School board authorizes repairs


A heavy rainstorm last month caused a tree to fall on top of a classroom building at Apollo High School, causing thousands of dollars in damage. No one was hurt due to the March 20 accident, a by-product of an unusually powerful storm. At its March 29 meeting, the Simi Valley Unified School District Board of Education authorized emergency repairs, […]

Santa Su senior closing in on rare achievement




When she was in first grade, Sefra Orlick decided she would never miss a day of school. “I got sick and I thought, I don’t want to miss any school,” she remembers, so ignored her troubles and carried on. That’s been her modus operandi for more than a decade. Now a senior at Santa Susana High School in Simi Valley, […]

Earth Talk: The facts on fluoride



Dear EarthTalk: So, what’s the story: Is it good that we have fluoride in our tap water or not? I’ve heard so many conflicting opinions over the years. —Benjamin P., Mission, Kan. The debate over whether we should add fluoride to public drinking water has raged since the 1940s when American cities initiated the practice as a way to fight […]

“Win Win”



Rated: RAcorn Rating Guide: Some films are lobster thermidor— bold and tasteful, succulently rich, the perfect occasional feast. Other films are kobe beef teppanyaki— rare morsels that dazzle the senses, unforgettable delicacies. So many recent films, however, are of the appalling peanut butterand pickle sandwich variety—and one is amazed at just how many attempts are continually made (and promoted) hoping […]

Patriots looking for players



The Simi Valley Patriots are starting the seventh season as a chapter in the Pacific Youth Football League. New this year is the addition of the Gremlins division for children 6 years old. Sign-ups will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sat., April 16 at Play it Again Sports in Simi Valley. Necessary forms can also be downloaded from […]

Girl Scouts helping pet rescue groups



Simi Valley Junior Girl Scout Troop 60910 will conduct a drive to collect items for local pet rescue organizations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., April 16 at Theresa’s Country Feed and Pet Store, 1836 Erringer Road, Simi Valley. The Scouts will hand flyers listing needed items to customers entering the store. Customers are encouraged to purchase one or […]

Tips to hasten disability benefits claims




How to speed up a disability application If your disabling condition is preventing you from continuing to work, you may want to apply for disability benefits through Social Security. In most cases, doing so involves a thorough process of determining your eligibility, medical condition, and ability to work. Because the Social Security offices look so carefully at so many cases, […]