Almost a full 30 days live, West Orange Patch is making a dent in the township's lawn by covering stories that are most important to residents. This week had a school principal search, tax revaluation, miniature golf, Seton Hall Preparatory School field construction, a bank robbery and a rock-paper-scissors tournament. Let's take a look back.

Monday

Hazel Avenue Elementary School began a search for its new principal after Marguerite De Carlo retired in June. Anthony Cavanna, superintendent of West Orange Public Schools, said the search has narrowed to 10 applicants. More here.

West Orange residents got word Monday evening that the township will undergo a property tax revaluation set to begin this week. "It's a requirement in New Jersey and West Orange is long overdue," said township Mayor Robert Parisi. "We've retained a company, done the tax maps and they will start this week." The last revaluation for the township was 1984. More here.

Tuesday

West Orange resident Erica Branch-Ridley nabbed an Emmy in the "New Approaches-Children's Entertainment" category for her work with Sesame Workshop and The Electric Company website. More here.

(dot)Mom informed readers Hersheypark offers more than just chocolate. More here.

Essex County announced it looks to open its South Mountain Reservation miniature golf course and restaurant sometime this fall, likely September. More here.

Township council voted in Elnardo Webster Sr. with a 3-0 vote with one abstention to fill the council seat left by now-Mayor Robert Parisi. More here.

Wednesday

Township Mayor Robert Parisi welcomed delegates from Africa as part of an unofficial sister city relationship with the city of Athieme, in the Republic of Benin. More here.

The Oskar Schindler Performing Arts Center welcomed Broadway to the Mountain with performances by local West Orange artists. More here.

Claire Sommer, a Greener Life columnist, informed readers they can start cultivating their backyards and reach out to the National Wildlife Federation to get a Garden for Wildlife. More here.

Thursday

The 23rd hearing of Seton Hall Preparatory School's field construction Wednesday night brought environmental activists and neighbors to town hall for a zoning board hearing on the topic. Patch's reporter and videographer covering the event were tossed from the public hearing under threat of police action after taking a photograph of the board. The reporter later re-entered the hearing with no multimedia equipment to finish the story. The board heard both sides of the argument about the construction from engineers and attorneys. "The opposition would like for us just to leave all the woods there and do nothing," said Charles Stewart, of G.C. Stewart Associates in Essex Fells, who is the lead engineer on the project for Seton Hall. "But, we have a program and Seton Hall has needs and we've developed a plan, we think, that is a sensible plan and meets the requirements outlined by the municipality." More here.

Friday

West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi started his first open office hours Thursday evening where residents do not have to make an appointment to meet with him to discuss issues in the township. More here.

An 11:15 a.m. bank robbery startled one customer and two tellers at Kearny Federal Savings, 487 Pleasant Valley Way. A white male in his 30s allegedly entered the savings and loan brandishing a gun and demanding cash. The entire heist lasted less than a minute. The suspect is on the lam. More here.

Fitness Friday's Judie Hurtado talked with clinical psychologist Dr. Rob Handelman who recommends patients be mindful of thoughts, emotions. More here.

Township council adds another August meeting to adjust the budget. More here.

Saturday

An early morning fire displaced one elderly female resident. Preliminary investigation shows the fire began in the attic and was electrical in nature. No injuries or fatalities were reported. More here.

The earthquake that hit Haiti in January struck home in West Orange. As a result, kids at Luna Stage will perform a tribute this week to aid victims. More here.

Carol Selman launched the Saturday column Arts Beat that plans to examine art around the township. More here.

At least 50 gathered Saturday afternoon and evening to compete in the rock-paper-scissors tournament at Hat City Kitchen. The winner won a spot at the world competition in Toronto. More here.

Sunday

Jeff Rudy's Peaceful Sunday enlightened readers with a story about the Center for Champions. More here.