Woes, Whoas, Wows of WO-Town

A month and we're cruising along. Stories topping the past week include real estate, a Summer Park Program, a "Fork & Screen," a new soccer coach, an "urban Renaissance," township marketing and a tribal art exhibit. Let's take a look back.

Monday

The week began with members of the township council working to integrate the Latino community into West Orange. Councilman Victor Cirilo said he will spearhead the program, beginning with the township's library. More here.

Patch got the scoop on a real estate report released by Towne Realty Group that showed home sales stabilizing in West Orange. More here.

Summer camps came to an end this week. The township's Summer Parks Program, headed by the recreation department, was hosted at five area schools. More here.

Tuesday

The softball season ended for the township. More here.

Patch broke a story on AMC Entertainment's redevelopment project for its theater in the Essex Green Shopping Center. It plans to shut down the theater for four months while it becomes a new "Fork & Screen" cinema, or a place where patrons can eat dinner and watch a movie. More here.

dot(Mom) showed parents that art can be fun. More here.

The township offers safety tips for West Orange residents as they undergo tax revaluation. More here.

Hat City is an "urban Renaissance" in the Valley Arts District, offering food and live bands, as well as competitions. More here.

Wednesday

Famed photographer Tony Cordoza prepped for his tribal warrior art show Friday. He said the exhibit started small with about three models and grew quickly to 22. More here.

Claire Sommer, the one with the green thumb, showed readers a new outdoor classroom and garden at Hazel Avenue Elementary School. More here.

West Orange High School girl's soccer team will have a new coach in the fall. He's also a detective with the West Orange Police Department. More here.

West Orange Main Street earned a National Main Street Accreditation, as well as 13 other New Jersey towns. More here.

Thursday

Township Mayor Robert Parisi launched a community-oriented marketing campaign to help West Orange be more involved in promotion. The goal is to develop a plan of action by Jan. 1, 2011, and roll out those ideas during that year. More here.

OSPAC offered a night of Motown music that featured West Orange singers belting Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder. More here.

The Turtle Back Zoo named its two new penguins Cookies and Cream. The names were part of a nation-wide contest sponsored by the Essex County zoo. More here.

A young adult was transported to University Hospital in Newark after a severe car accident forced the West Orange individual through the rear windshield. More here.

Friday

West Orange council addressed residents individually in a 60-second clip about their goals in the next year. More here.

Soccer camp is slated for August. Registration ends Aug. 15. More here.

The Latin American Festival geared up for Saturday at OSPAC. More here.

Fitness Friday's Judie Hurtado teamed up with a West Orange wellness coach to find the best running techniques. More here.

Saturday

Carol Selman, of Arts Beat, spoke with teens learning to sing at a vocal workshop at OSPAC. More here.

Tony Cordoza's art exhibit Friday left people wanting more. He's now doing a second exhibit with more models. More here.

Sunday

A fire broke out around 11 a.m. at a one-family home on South Valley Road Sunday. More here.