Patch Gives 5

Last week, Patch employees across the country participated in what the company calls , days set aside for community service. I was a traveling troubadour, performing for families Monday at the South Orange Library, Tuesday at New Horizon School in Livingston, and Wednesday at Jespy House in South Orange.

The idea is that we give back to the communities we serve, but when I pick up my guitar and strum, I always get back much more than I give. At Horizon School -- the old Squiretown School where Gov. Chris Christie went to kindergarten -- even the most severely disabled responded to the music. I look forward to visiting their classrooms again.

The week wasn’t all play though. Despite the slowdown we expected as vacations kick in, plenty is going on in Livingston. 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.

Some of the top stories of the past week:

: Councilwoman decides to keep private lawyer's opinion of her roles on proposed charter school and town council.

: Livingston's 10-U Boys district champs play for sectional title. (They won! 5-1).

: 'Charter School Battle Shifts to Affluent Suburbs' examines the tensions in top-performing school districts.

: NJ Spotlight: Governor's office 'strongly encourages' school districts not to use funding to restore cut programs. Livingston Public Schools will see the aid it receives double.

: Schools are adopting anti-bullying policies.

Neighbors

: Free, outdoors music begins with Jimmy Buffett tribute band.

: Furry friends fetch, roll over ... and help children learn to read at Livingston Library.

: The congregation welcomes Rev. Daniel Fenco, who will lead their first-ever Spanish mass.

: From humble beginnings, St. Philomena summer program reaches a milestone.

: Livingston throws a party for the town's senior citizens.

: Township's summer camp programs are simply fun in the sun.

: FIRST LEGO League team will mentor 'Shining Stars.'

: Registration ends Friday for event that helps families be comfortable at Saint Barnabas Medical Center.

: Local Voice: Precise, simply messages needed for community sign.

: Historians recover recording of 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' from 1888.

Business

: The restaurant is opening at the Mall at Short Hills.

: A seasoned shopper provides ways to make your visit easier and more fruitful.

Move spreads major discontent; social media explodes with angry reactions.

Schools

. A new curriculum guide explores how to teach more than just the day, from elementary to high school.

. Assistant Superintendent says Special Education Parent Advisory Committee is improving dialogue.

Police and Fire

: Truck gets tangled in phone lines at electronics store.

Firefighters rescue 'Pinkie' from a tight squeeze.

Sports

: Friends say what sets Heather O'Reilly apart is her dedication, intensity and humility.

: Where will you watch the women's Team USA in the final Sunday?

: Livingston falls 7-5 to Vailsburg in Essex County title game.

: Peter McMullen gets his tryout at rookie camp.

Arts

. Livingston's Ilene Greenbaum is musical director for NJ Youth Theater production at NJPAC.

. Back by popular demand at Livingston concert series: B-Street Band.

Essex County News

: Residents blame president, Congress for both debt ceiling and financial crisis.

: Residents hold vigil after suspected drug-related shootings.

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, Events and Local Voices -- blog posts written by Patch readers, to continue the conversations we are having in our homes with a broader audience. If you're interested in blogging, email marilyn.lehren@patch.com.

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Still trying to figure out what we’re all about? You can learn more about just what this and the challenges of the here.

Our favorite story this past week? That would by : Last installment of Harry Potter movie is bittersweet for the generation that grew up with him. Plus, Potter fans went Hogwarts wild at the Library, .