Waiting for the End of the World

We were waiting for the end of the world. But for all the hype leading up to May 21, we’re still here.

So what’s next? Plenty if you’re living in Livingston. We got . That happens Thursday when 18 local bands perform non-stop music to showcase Youth Appreciation Week.

We hope you are clicking onto Patch daily for news of Livingston and receiving our daily or weekly newsletter. We run half a dozen stories a day of interest to Livingston residents, covering our town and people who live and work here. We launched , blog posts written by Patch readers, to continue the conversations we are having in our homes with a broader audience.

Last week, Howard Fineman, writing for Huffington Post Media Group on the launch of two Patch sites in Newark, reminds us of this “ambitious effort to build a 21st century network of news, commentary, information and entertainment sites in and for thousands of cities, towns and suburban neighborhoods across the country."

"The idea isn't just to make money -- though that will be nice -- but to repair and nurture the sense of community involvement, debate and local allegiance that is at the core of the American experiment in democratic self-government. Especially in this mega-corporate era, Americans yearn to identify with the grassroots, and tend -- often more than they realize or admit -- to judge the world based on their own small patch of it.” (

So what’s happening in our own small patch? Charter Schools dominate our conversations with more than 100 comments posted on Livingston Patch stories on the issue. There’s more to come:

. There will be an opportunity at the meeting for public comment.

Last week, our coverage included:

: Acting Education Commissioner says there's room to question special-interest schools.

 Assemblywoman Mila Jasey: ‘This is kind of a perfect storm right now.’

 Millburn sends its opposition to NJ Dept. of Ed. Livingston officials urged to take a stand.

 . Parker Block: Suburban schools should innovate and push ahead, not just 'hum along.'

. Livingston residents urge community: 'We need to fight for our voice.'

 Here’s the rundown of the week’s Top stories:

Arts

. The musicians in the Livingston Symphony Orchestra are tuning up for their tour with the Choir of the Pope’s Diocese.

. This bluesman and friends are rapidly becoming everyone's 2nd favorite band!

. 'Fresh Perspectives' includes art by Ryan Leslie and Klara Blazek.

. Patrick Burns gives a special lesson at Mt. Pleasant.

. The popular radio show will feature readings of timeless and modern-day stories for summer.

. Laura Benanti, Alan Menken and Senator Tom Kean Shine The Paper Mill Playhouse Gala.

Business

. Michaels warns customers debit and credit card numbers may have been stolen.

. As mail volume drops, U.S. Post Office makes changes to the carrier routes.

Government

. The Congressman honors Livingston's firefighters at meeting of town council.

Governor Appoints Sharon Weiner to Council on Local Mandates

Neighbors

. Seaside Stride: Walk organized by Livingston family will fund research on a disorder called Friedreich's Ataxia.

. Mark Kelly's great-aunt is proud of the astronauts in her family.

Police and Fire

. The accident on Wednesday night happened on W. Hobart Gap Road.

. ‘It was chaos’ late Wednesday afternoon as streets and homes flood.

. Neighborhood is hit by thieves who stole unlocked cars.

. A woman in Millburn loses $2,000 when she wires money to help a 'friend.'

. NJ Wildlife officials tranquilize and remove bear from neighborhood.

Schools

. High School meets all requirements of the Middle States Association.

. According to latest guidelines, districts will only recoup 84 percent of what's due them for "extraordinary" costs.

Sports

. Lead-off hitter sparks Livingston to 9-6 win over Madison.

. Clutch jump secures a narrow Lancer win; girls dominate.

. The Big L fashion show raises big bucks for LHS students.

You can find all the news on top of the Livingston Patch site by clicking on the tab for News. You can browse by Arts, Government, Business, Police and Fire, School News, Sports, Announcements and now -- Local Voices. If you're interested in blogging, email marilyn.lehren@patch.com.

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