Week in Review: Pepco, Gymkana, Campus Life and More

Last week can be summarized in by a couple words: Irene and Pepco.

If you haven't checked it out yet, your local Patches kept up a as details of Hurricane Irene aftermath unfolded. There were many downed trees -- some on houses -- and lots of power outages. Local public safety officials reported that there were in College Park, however.

Throughout the week, Patch followed as power surged, or trickled, back for College Park customers following the storm. Sunday morning, , and businesses that were losing foot traffic because of the power outage.

The afternoon following the storm, Pepco said it didn't know when power would be restored to the more than 171,000 customers still without power. .

Thirty-five hours after the peak of the storm in our area, were left without power statewide (for Baltimore Gas and Electric and Pepco).

Monday, Pepco announced it could be Thursday before all the power was restored. who just had their power turned back on, but were dealing with fallen trees.

Tuesday, Patch took a break from Pepco to visit the Gymkana viewing party at the University of Maryland. Troupe members watched some of their group perform live in the America's Got Talent semifinals, where one member tangled with a ring of fire. .

That same day, Mom Columnist Gretchen Schock wrote a about a unique instance when her son on the Autism spectrum got to be a leader.

Wednesday, Patch reported that a downed by Hurricane Irene to lash another man's car in Silver Spring.

Thursday, Patch shared details about the that will take place at the University of Maryland campus. It will be open to the public. Patch also covered the on top of a university building, and the day's Viewfinder included photos from the .

Friday, Patch reported that decreased from 2009 to 2010.