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Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

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Schools Take Action Against Bullying

Chantilly, Centreville, Fairfax pyramids join forces in initiative.

Children of all ages get bullied and bully others, themselves. It’s not true of all children, but it’s true of enough of them that Fairfax County Public Schools wants to do something about it.

Musical with a Message

Journey ‘Into the Woods’ with Woodson High.

Fairytale characters come to life, but in different and unexpected ways in Woodson High’s upcoming musical, "Into the Woods."

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‘It’s a Slapstick Comedy – It’s Going to be Hilarious’

Paul VI performs ‘Christmas Carol: Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts.’

Sure, Paul VI is performing "A Dickens Christmas Carol: A Traveling Travesty in Two Tumultuous Acts."

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Stone’s Honor Students Walk for Homeless

They donate money and food to WFCM.

Sometimes, it takes a child to lead the way. And that’s true when it comes to the students in Stone Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS).

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‘People Will Have Fun Laughing’

Centreville High presents ‘Lend Me a Tenor.’

Get ready to laugh — Centreville High’s upcoming play, “Lend Me a Tenor,” is a zany comedy filled with mistaken identities and a rollicking good time for the actors and audience alike.

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‘Politics Is Nasty Stuff — It’s All Messed Up’

Teens’ impressions of the current election.

Students at Rocky Run Middle School aren’t old enough to vote, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t have opinions about Virginia’s election. And the eighth-graders even participated last Thursday-Friday, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, in a mock election at their school.

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‘Legend of the Bunnyman’

Music from rock musical being performed locally.

The Bunnyman has been a mysterious figure in local lore for more than 40 years, and now Clifton’s Jim Waters has written a rock musical about him called “Legend of the Bunnyman.”

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History for Sojourners

Centreville’s Newgate Tavern receives interpretive signs.

The Newgate Tavern played an important role in Centreville’s history, but the average resident knows little about it. Now, though, thanks to three interpretive signs just placed at its former site in the Historic District, people may visit and learn about what happened there.

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Alliance Theatre To Present Children’s Show

‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’ takes the stage in November.

Ariel, Prince Eric, Flounder, Sebastian the Crab and all the other characters from the popular story and movie are in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.”

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Centreville Day Citizen of Year

Harsh honored for work with Brain Foundation.

A Centreville resident since 1973 and someone who’s made a difference in the lives of others, Trudy Harsh was honored Saturday as the 2013 Centreville Day Citizen of the Year.

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‘Give them Strength, Fortitude and Compassion’

Criminal Justice Academy graduates 43 officers.

The graduates of the 60th session of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy included the police department’s first Asian female, a former fire department deputy chief and a Bulgarian immigrant whose family tended vineyards.

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Bridge on Route 29 Set for Replacement

Little Rocky Run span is 81 years old.

Work will begin in a few weeks to replace the Route 29 bridge over the Little Rocky Run stream in Centreville. Besides improving the bridge, itself, the project will also result in a new sidewalk and shared-use path.

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Chantilly’s Gabe Luebbe Receives National Honor

Senior named to Army All-American Marching Band.

Not only is Gabe Luebbe a talented and accomplished musician, but he’s now been named a member of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.

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Cuccinelli Visits Old Stomping Grounds

Virginia Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial hopeful Ken Cuccinelli came home to the Centreville/Clifton area Tuesday morning, Nov. 5, visiting some local precincts on Election Day.

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‘Legend of the Bunnyman’

Music from rock musical being performed locally.

The Bunnyman has been a mysterious figure in local lore for more than 40 years, and now Clifton’s Jim Waters has written a rock musical about him called "Legend of the Bunnyman."

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‘It’s a Really Fun Horror Story’

Robinson presents ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’

Horror, romance, music – and a hungry, man-eating plant – they’re all in Robinson Secondary’s production of "Little Shop of Horrors."

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Donating From the Heart

Redskin, pizza-chain owner team up to help local girl.

“Somebody helped me, so I’m happy to have the opportunity to help someone else and continue the cycle.” —Washington Redskin Pierre Garçon

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Halloween Fun at Goblin Gallop

The 20th annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 27, at Fairfax Corner.

Robinson Student Stars in Children’s Show

The Alliance Theatre presents “The Little Mermaid Jr.”

Ariel, Prince Eric, Flounder, Sebastian the crab and all the other characters from the popular story and movie are in The Alliance Theatre’s production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” And a Robinson Secondary student has one of the starring roles. Performances are Nov. 9-24 (see box for details) at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Court (behind Glory Days Grill) in Centreville. The musical features 10 adults and 35 students in grades three through 12, and Director Maggie Swan says they’re all really talented.

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Creating a Fantasy in Pumpkins

Halloween display ranges from zombies to cartoon characters.

Halloween is next Thursday, Oct. 31, and that means more than 1,000 people will flock to Noel Dickover’s home in Centreville to see the latest fantasy pumpkins he and his crew have created.

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‘As Long As I’m Able to Run …’

Telford preps for Marine Corps Marathon and ‘Over the Edge.’

BethAnn Telford has a brain tumor, but it doesn’t have her. Through the pain, the medication, the bad days and the setbacks, she not only keeps on going, she rises above it all and shines.

Clifton Moped Crash Kills Local Woman

A Centreville woman died last Tuesday evening, Oct. 15, following a motorcycle crash in Clifton. The victim was identified as Yumei Wang Barber, 37.

Focusing on Quality of Life Issues

Hugo runs for seventh term in Virginia House.

When asked why he’s running for reelection to the General Assembly, Del. Tim Hugo (R-40th) has a ready reply. “It’s an honor to serve,” he said. “We have an opportunity to help people improve their day-to-day lives and fix the problems in their neighborhoods and on their streets.”

Foltz vs. Hugo in 40th District

Jerry Foltz believes his views better represent the community’s.

Jerry Foltz may be a first-time political candidate, but he has a lifetime of experience working with diverse groups of people on serious issues. And now, he’s running as the Democratic candidate for the 40th House District.

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‘As Long As I’m Able to Run … ’

Telford preps for Marine Corps Marathon and “Over the Edge.”

BethAnn Telford has a brain tumor, but it doesn’t have her. Through the pain, the medication, the bad days and the setbacks, she not only keeps on going, she rises above it all and shines.

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Fairfax Marching Rebels Win Band Competitions

The school year has barely started and already Fairfax High’s Marching Rebels band is winning top honors for its musicianship and showmanship in competitions against other schools.

Honor Students Walk for Homeless

Students in Stone Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society will participate in a Help the Homeless Walk, next Thursday, Oct. 24, to raise money for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM).

Residents Learn about Police Honor Guard

Group’s supervisor speaks at CAC meeting.

The Fairfax County Police Honor Guard was established in 1980, and Sgt. Dave Kuhar has been part of it for the past 18 years. He’s now the Honor Guard’s supervisor and recently explained the group’s duties during a meeting of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

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Beware of Spooky Forest

Chills and thrills await on the Clifton Haunted Trail.

Surely, the vampires, witches, goblins and ghouls lying in wait for their victims along the Clifton Haunted Trail aren’t real — or are they? One thing’s for sure — they’re deadly serious about scaring people.

The Other Side of the Story

The case for those favoring the roundabout.

In an Oct. 15 message to their constituents, Loudoun Del. David Ramadan (R-87) and Dulles District Supervisor Matt Letourneau explained why they’re fighting so hard to build a roundabout in Centreville.

Centreville Day Is Saturday, Oct. 19

Children’s games, music, parade, food and crafts.

Centreville’s Historic District is the place to be this Saturday, Oct. 19. That’s when residents will be treated to a parade, a 5K race, children’s activities, food, crafts vendors and live entertainment during the 21st annual Centreville Day celebration.

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Hot on the Trail

The newest members of the Fairfax County Police Department don’t wear badges or carry guns. But they’re officers, just the same — and they’re awfully cute.

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Crowd Enjoys Clifton Day 2013

Crowds flocked to the 46th annual Clifton Day, Sunday, Oct. 13.

Crowds flocked to the 46th annual Clifton Day, Sunday, Oct. 13.

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20th Annual Goblin Gallop Is Oct. 27

Benefits families of children with cancer.

Jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin pie and colorful leaves signal that Halloween will soon be here. And that means it’s time for the Goblin Gallop. This year’s event is the 20th annual and it’s set for Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

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Visiting the Local Fire Station

Local residents visited Fair Oaks Fire Station 21 during its open house, Saturday, Oct. 12.

Requejo Pleads Guilty to Two Felonies

A Fairfax man charged with sexually molesting a child pleaded guilty last week in Fairfax County Circuit Court. He is Eduardo Requejo, 23, of Warwick Avenue, and he’ll be sentenced in February.

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Beware of Creatures in the Spooky Forest

Chills and thrills await on the Clifton Haunted Trail.

Surely, the vampires, witches, goblins and ghouls lying in wait for their victims along the Clifton Haunted Trail aren’t real—or are they? One thing’s for sure—they’re deadly serious about scaring people.

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Music, Dancing, Exercise Help Local Community

Zumbathon in Chantilly to raise money for WFCM.

Chantilly’s Kelly Joedicke-Lawrence is a certified Zumba instructor and, for the past few years, she’s held a Zumbathon fundraiser for breast-cancer research. But this year, her Zumba group voted to instead help a local charity.

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‘Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina’

Chantilly High presents the musical, ‘Evita.’

Featuring a cast and crew of 70, Chantilly High presents the musical, “Evita,” about the life of Argentine political leader Eva Peron. The curtain rises Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 16-19, at 7 p.m.

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Centreville Day 2013: Parade, Children’s Activities, Crafts, Music and Food

Get ready — the 21st annual Centreville Day celebration is almost here. Slated for Saturday, Oct. 19, in Centreville’s Historic District, it features a parade, music, a 5K, live entertainment, crafts, children’s games and rides, food — who’s up for fried Oreos? — and fun for all ages.

Woodson Cavaliers March Along

Woodson High’s homecoming parade was Friday, Oct. 4.

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Fairfax Rebels on Parade

Fairfax High’s homecoming parade was Friday, Oct. 4.

Crash Kills Man and Causes Baby’s Death

A car crash early Sunday morning on the Fairfax County Parkway killed a Manassas man and caused a pregnant woman to deliver her baby early. Authorities say the newborn did not survive. The incident happened Sept. 29, at 1:40 a.m., just north of Braddock Road.

VTV Family Outreach Given Grant Money

Funds will be used to make schools safer.

After the April, 16, 2007 massacre at Virginia Tech, the families and survivors joined together and created a nonprofit foundation dedicated to making America’s schools safer and assisting victims of mass tragedies.

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Candidates Have Their Say

Hugo, Foltz, LeMunyon and Nguyen discuss the issues.

With the general election just a month away, a Candidates Night was held last Wednesday, Sept. 25, in Chantilly. Presented by the Sully District Council of Citizens Associations and the League of Woman Voters of the Fairfax Area, it let residents meet local incumbents and challengers and hear their positions on various issues.

Boy Named ‘Honored Hero’

Billind Salhi, 8, will participate in Light The Night Walk.

Each year, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) holds Light The Night Walks to raise money for research and patient services. Locally, a walk will be held this Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Reston Town Center — and an 8-year-old Centreville boy will be one of the event’s Honored Heroes.

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Ready to Fight: Intersection Controversy Intensifies

Design public hearing on roundabout is Oct. 9 at Stone Middle.

In the long-distant past, Civil War soldiers from the North and South fought in the Centreville area. And although the newest battle brewing on the horizon doesn’t involve weapons, it’s a bitter fight, nonetheless. In it, Fairfax County is pitted against Loudoun County. The issue is the roundabout proposed for the intersection of Braddock and Pleasant Valley roads — and an upcoming meeting about it promises to be anything but civil.

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On the Job and Hot on the Trail

Finding people is fun for new, police bloodhound pups.

“We’ll get them out here and acclimate them to the noises — gunfire, [vehicle] brakes and birds,” said Masood. They’ll also be exposed to airplanes, wind, rain, heat, car horns honking, plus obstacles such as fences. And they’ll learn how it feels on their paws to walk in the woods, through brush, on cement, carpet, tile floors, etc. That way, said Clarke, “When they get out on the street, when they’re almost a year old, they’ll be ready.”

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It’s Almost Time for Clifton Day

46th annual festival is Sunday, Oct. 13.

Featuring everything from a strolling bagpiper to a woman on a unicycle—plus handmade crafts, pony rides, Civil War re-enactors, live bands and food galore—the 46th annual Clifton Day is set for Sunday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Rain date, Oct. 20).

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‘Give Them Strength, Fortitude and Compassion’

Criminal Justice Academy graduates 43 officers.

The graduates of the 60th session of the Fairfax County Criminal Justice Academy included the police department’s first Asian female, a former fire department deputy chief and a Bulgarian immigrant whose family tended vineyards. The ceremony was Sept. 20 in GMU’s Harris Theatre, and Circuit Court Clerk John Frey swore in 43 new officers. There were 26 county police officers, 13 sheriff’s deputies, two Town of Vienna police officers, one Town of Herndon police officer and one county fire investigator.