2017-07-14

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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

‘The Hero’ engages the heart and mind

The Movie Nut

What can you say about a story of a 71-year-old man dying of pancreatic cancer? That it’s occasionally painful to watch? That it wanders around a bit trying to find its sense of direction? That both it—and its main character—have difficulty making decisions? That’s all true, but so is this: The movie stars the great Sam Elliott and his luxurious […]

Elementary teacher graduates from educators’ space academy

Lesson plans based on NASA content

Jana Saffro, who teaches fourth grade at Atherwood Elementary School, recently graduated from the weeklong Space Academy for Educators at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the U. S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. The educational program promotes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while training students and adults with hands-on activities and missions based on teamwork, leadership […]

Pet of the Week



HEAR HIM ROAR—Tiger is a neutered domestic cat about 10 years old. He is kind and enjoys being petted. If you would like to adopt Tiger ask for ID No. A666040 at Ventura County Animal Services in Camarillo, 600 Aviation Drive. Occasionally pets have already been adopted, so check www.vcas.us before visiting the shelter.

Dog’s fun feeder seems to be no fun at all

Family Man

Our pet beagle eats his food fast—really fast. I wondered if we should do something about it. So my wife told a friend, the friend told another friend who was a veterinarian, and the veterinarian told the friend to tell my wife that eating so fast was unhealthy. That’s when my wife came to me with a call to adventure. […]

Restaurant of the Week program returns



The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Restaurant of the Week program returns Mon., July 17. The program spotlights a different Chamber member restaurant every week. “This program was designed to not only celebrate unique local fare, but to encourage residents and visitors to take advantage of great deals, new menu items and to try something new,” said Rana Ghadban, Chamber […]

Chefs take on cookie cuisine

Fundraiser benefits SoCal Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast will host its third annual Fork It Over fundraiser from 6 to 9 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 3 at the Palm Garden Hotel, 495 N. Ventu Park Road, Thousand Oaks. The event will feature chefs from local restaurants, caterers and food trucks creating Girl Scout cookie-inspired appetizers and desserts. In addition, spirit purveyors from across […]

Seaside Kids Club offers an ocean of summer fun

Activities run Thursdays at Ventura Harbor

Children can dress up as mermaids, make “ocean slime” and paint murals during Seaside Kids Club activities this summer. The fun takes place 11 a.m. to noon on Thursdays from July 20 to Aug. 10 at Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. Kids ages 4 to 10 can take part in a new seaside-themed activity, entertainment and craft each […]

Party picnic



Simi teen wins poster contest for county fair

Theme was ‘Rooted in Tradition’

Exploding fireworks, a brightly lit Ferris wheel and a traditional white carousel horse grace Anna Sorenson’s winning submission to the Ventura County Fair’s 2017 poster contest. The Simi Valley 13-year-old’s design will be used as the featured art for this year’ fair poster and in marketing materials and souvenirs for the fair, which will run Aug. 2 to 13 at […]

Tornadoes are the tops



LITTLE TWISTERS—The WAGS U-10 Bronze Tornadoes took first place in the 14th annual Amanda McPherson All-Star Tournament in Simi Valley last month. Pictured in the front row from left are Taylor Todd, Violet Kommers, Nadia Rosa, Kirthi Parmasivan, Josie Koenig, Peyton Sewell and Abby Berro. Middle row: Claire Broberg, Madilyn Duncan, Savannah Mitchell, Linsey Niebolt and Mia Mense. Back row: […]