Editor's Note: Week in Review (Sept. 12-19)

A losing streak plagued Cranford varsity sports last week. Other trends to note: Rising crime in Union towns, and the popularity of events called some version of 'Music' and 'Fest'. Here's a look at the events and issues that made the news:

Weekend, September 12-13:

• Union County hosted its 12th annual MusicFest in Clark. Third Eye Blind, Uncle Kracker and other acts drew large crowds despite the rain. This event continued on Sunday with Pete Yorn, Gin Blossoms and other headliners.
• Cranford football fans experienced their first loss of the season during the team's home opener on Saturday. The night was marked with the christening of the new turf field and power outages.
• A local gardening expert suggests that we start moving our plants indoors for the colder days.
• The Nicole Michelle Hair Spa holds a cut-a-thon to raise money for breast cancer awareness.

Monday, September 14:

• Patch takes a look at the Cranford varsity field hockey and cross country teams. 
• A county report shows that crime in Union County increased between 2007 and 2008. Cranford is no exception.
• Parents share their concerns about class sizes with Board of Education members at a meeting Monday. 
• The first township committee meeting saw a large turnout against the proposed location for a Cranford skate park. The meeting lasted late into the night.

Tuesday, September 14:

• Concerned residents packed town hall again for the second committee meeting on Tuesday night. There were few supporters of the skate park location.
• Cranford gymnasts lose their home opener to Arthur L. Johnson High School.
• Police arrest individuals for .

Wednesday, September 15:

• Commissioner Dan Aschenbach sends Patch a letter urging officials and residents to investigate the Woodmont Development Process.
• Police teach parents how to foster safe driving skills in their teen drivers.
• The Board of Education hires another group of staffers.
• Patch columnist and local mom, Sheila Sayah, offers the Trailside Nature Park as a change of scenery.
• Academy students check out the Cranford slammer in this police department tour.

Thursday, September 16:

• The bad luck streak continues for Cranford sports, as the field hockey team loses its season opener.
• Cranford's Auxiliary Police work a hard job.
• Another football loss...
• ... But on a brighter note, the volleyball team sets a winning finish.

Friday, September 17:

• The losing streak seems to be over when the boys soccer team defeats Cranford rival Westfield.
• But the girls weren't so lucky.
• Police give positive pizza tickets to kids wearing helmets.
• Patch gears up for the weekend's Centennial Music Fest with a review of Cranford-bred band Chooch the Mighty Train.

Saturday, September 18:

• Downtown District Management Corporation sets the deadline for the annual Scarecrow Stroll. (Cranford Patch might just participate.)
• Families and local eateries gathered behind Lincoln School for music, food and fun at the Centennial Music Fest.