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Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

Handling ‘Everything under the Sun’

Animal Control officer talks about his job.

Although Fairfax County is a bustling, suburban area with lots businesses, homes and concrete, it still has its share of animals — many of them wild. And both they and people’s pets keeps the police department’s animal control officers busy. Andy Sanderson has been a police officer for 20 years and an animal control officer for 15, and he recently shared his knowledge and expertise with members of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee. He said residents may call 703-691-2131 to report an incident and that animal-control officers are on call from 6-12:30 a.m. for emergencies.

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‘The Funniest Farce Ever Written’

Fairfax High presents the comedy, “Noises Off.”

Featuring a cast and crew of 25, Fairfax High presents the play, “Noises Off.” Show times are Friday-Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 2, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 at www.fxplayers.org and $15 at the door.

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Building Tomorrow’s Cyber Defenders

Local students participate in cybersecurity camp.

“I discovered I really like this and, when I go to GMU, I’ll change my major from chemistry to computers.” -Fairfax High senior Jessica Miers

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‘Thank You for Risking Your Lives’

Colin Powell Elementary honors veterans.

America officially celebrated Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 12, and so did the students, teachers and staff of Colin Powell Elementary. They invited local veterans to the school, plus fire and police personnel, for their eighth annual Veterans Day Celebration.

It’s Time for Turkey Trot

Raises money for Life with Cancer.

Each year around this time, many people’s thoughts turn to turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie — and the Virginia Run Turkey Trot. This year’s 24th annual 5K run and 2K walk will be held Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22, at 8 a.m. at the Virginia Run Community Center in Centreville.

ONC Questions and Answers

ONC’s Founder and Executive Director, Kelly Lavin, has put together a list of answers to some frequently asked questions:

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Gearing Up for Holidays

Our Neighbor’s Child needs community’s help.

Now in its 21st year, the all-volunteer, nonprofit group has already started on its massive mission of providing holiday happiness for people in need in Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fair Oaks and Fair Lakes.

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Looking Back and Going Forward

CIF celebrates achievements, past director and future goals.

The Oct. 23 annual meeting of the Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF) came full circle. Members honored the past year’s accomplishments and the former director of its labor resource center, heard a budget update, installed four board of directors members and planned for the future.

Drug-Dealing Conspiracy Yields Prison Sentences

Pain clinic’s Boccone given 15 years; Brown gets five.

Before Paul Boccone was sentenced last week to 15 years in prison for crimes including distributing narcotics out of the Chantilly Pain Clinic, his attorney John Iweanoge tried rewriting history.

Chantilly Pain Clinic: The Case’s Background

Oxycodone distribution, healthcare, tax fraud.

On Aug. 3, the owner and president of a pain clinic in Chantilly was convicted in Federal Court of conspiring to distribute and actually distributing oxycodone, a controlled drug.

Help Provide Holiday Food Baskets

WFCM serves those in need in Centreville, Chantilly, Clifton, Fair Oaks and Fairfax Station. And with so many people struggling financially in these tough, economic times, more and more families are coming to WFCM for help.

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Community Turns Out to Vote

Economy, jobs, health care important issues.

Tuesday’s weather was cold, but sunny, and people in the local community turned out in droves to vote in the presidential election. At Colin Powell Elementary, the line to vote was steady.

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‘This Play Is Satirical and Hilarious’

Rocky Run to perform “The Election.”

Anyone accusing this election’s candidates of acting like schoolchildren would be right. That’s because the characters in Rocky Run Middle School’s play, “The Election,” are high-school students.

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‘Things … Work Out in the End’

Westfield High presents “Laughing Stock.”

When The Moose River Playhouse in New Hampshire schedules “Dracula,” “Hamlet” and “Charley's Aunt” for its summer-stock season, something’s bound to go wrong — and it does, hilariously. That’s the premise of Westfield High’s new play, “Laughing Stock,” a comic farce and affectionate glimpse into the world of theater.

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Lee Kaiser Is Honored

Named Elementary School Counselor of the Year.

A boyhood tragedy and its aftermath helped shape Lee Kaiser’s life. It influenced him to become a school counselor, and he’s held that job at Centreville Elementary for eight years. He also does it quite well and was recently named Fairfax County Public Schools’ Elementary School Counselor of the Year for 2011-12.

The Daily Life of a School Counselor

It’s not easy being an elementary-school counselor — especially in an ever-changing world — but Centreville Elementary’s Lee Kaiser relishes every challenge.

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British Murder Mystery at Robinson Secondary

Theater students present “Night Must Fall.”

A British murder mystery, “Night Must Fall,” is Robinson Secondary’s upcoming play. It’s slated for Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 15, 16, 17, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at www.robinsondrama.org and $12 at the door.

‘A Win-Win for Everyone’

Traffic signal for Willow Springs Elementary.

The evening of Sept. 6, a group of parents, politicians, a Fairfax County School Board representative, a police captain and two VDOT representatives gathered in Willow Springs Elementary’s cafeteria.

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Students Also Question Candidates’ Representatives

Chantilly High students and administration also got to question the presidential candidates’ representatives last week.

Hearing All Sides Of the Election

Campaign representatives come to Chantilly High.

The presidential election came to Chantilly High last week when representatives of the Obama and Romney campaigns, plus the Libertarian and Virginia Constitution Party, spoke at the school.

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‘Come to the Cabaret’

Centreville High presents hit Broadway musical.

Show times are Nov 9, 10, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov 11 at 3 p.m., in the school theater.

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Costumes Galore at Goblin Gallop

The 19th annual Goblin Gallop was Sunday, Oct. 28.

Satire, Comedy and Beautiful Costumes

Paul VI Presents ‘Tom Jones.’

Featuring a cast and crew of about 65, Paul VI presents the comedy, “Tom Jones.”

‘Climb Every Mountain, Ford Every Stream’

‘Sound of Music’ at Lord of Life.

The Lord of Life Lutheran Church will be alive with “The Sound of Music” when its Lord of Life Players perform the classic show of the same name.

Fantasy Pumpkins To Thrill and Delight

Centreville man creates Halloween enchantment.

The glowing spectacle attracts 500 to more than 1,000 visitors each year, and word of his creations has spread internationally.

‘It’s Just Good, Wholesome Fun’

Alliance Theatre presents musical comedy, : “Nunsense.”

That’s the premise of “Nunsense,” The Alliance Theatre’s rollicking new musical comedy. It’s being performed weekends, from Nov. 2-18, at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Court in Centreville.

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Wildcats on Parade

Snapshots from Centreville High’s Homecoming Parade

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Celebrating Centreville Day

Centreville Day

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‘It’s a Fast-paced, Hilarious Show’

Woodson High presents “Bye Bye Birdie.”

A slice of Americana wrapped in music and dancing—that’s Woodson High’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie.” The curtain rises Friday, Nov. 2, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 3, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Nov. 10, at 2 and 7:30 p.m.

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Ready To Scare

Frights abound along Clifton Haunted Trail.

Screams pierce the night in the middle of a dark and spooky forest, while scary creatures frighten all those brave enough to enter. “It’s only 8 acres — what could possibly happen to you?” That’s the slogan of the Clifton Haunted Trail, and the bloody mayhem is once again ready to be unleashed.

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19th Annual Goblin Gallop Is Oct. 28

Benefits families of children with cancer.

As Halloween draws near, it’s time for autumn leaves, pumpkins and the Goblin Gallop. And this year’s 19th annual event is Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

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Visiting the Local Fire Station

As part of national Fire Prevention Week, Fair Oaks Fire Station 21 held an open house Saturday, Oct. 13.

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Best Buddies Fundraiser Is Big Success

Chantilly’s Eric Latcheran and Centreville’s Kevin Whalen are both participating Oct. 20 in the annual Best Buddies Challenge in Washington, D.C. Event proceeds directly benefit local schools — including Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield high schools — containing Best Buddies chapters.

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Taking a Stand To Save Lives

Rocky Run holds Bullying Awareness Day

It’s important to learn academics in school, but caring, compassion and understanding also have a place. And last Friday, Oct. 12, schools throughout the Chantilly High Pyramid hosted their first Bullying Awareness Day.

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Are You Ready to Be Scared?

Frights abound along the Clifton Haunted Trail.

Screams pierce the night in the middle of a dark and spooky forest, while scary creatures frighten all those brave enough to enter. “It’s only eight acres—w hat could possibly happen to you?” That’s the slogan of the Clifton Haunted Trail, and the bloody mayhem is once again ready to be unleashed.

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Visiting the Local Fire Station

As part of national Fire Prevention Week, Fair Oaks Fire Station 21 held an open house.

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19th Annual Goblin Gallop is Oct. 28

Benefits families of children with cancer.

As Halloween draws near, it’s time for autumn leaves, pumpkins and the Goblin Gallop. And this year’s 19th annual event is Sunday, Oct. 28, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

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‘Celebrating 220 Years of Community’

Centreville Day is this Saturday, Oct. 20.

Step right up and join the parade — or, at least, come watch it. And then head over to Centreville’s Historic District for the 20th annual Centreville Day celebration. The festivities are this Saturday, Oct. 20, and kick off with the Zombie Slouch 5K Run and Walk at 9 a.m., to benefit DC Candlelighters.

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‘Storyline Is Absolutely Hilarious’

Chantilly High presents musical comedy, “Urinetown.”

The fight for the freedom to pee for free — that’s the basic premise behind Chantilly High’s upcoming musical comedy, “Urinetown.” It’ll be presented Wednesday-Saturday, Oct. 17-20, at 7 p.m.

Job Switch for Peter Noonan

Former Centreville High principal leads Fairfax City Schools.

Since coming to Fairfax County Public Schools in July 2001, Clifton resident Peter Noonan has been on an upward trajectory. He went from being an assistant principal to a principal to a school system assistant superintendent.

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Get Ready for Centreville Day

20th annual event features a parade, crafts, music, food and history.

It’s slated for Saturday, Oct. 20, and the good times begin with the Zombie Slouch 5K Run and Walk at 9 a.m., followed by the Centreville Day parade at 9:45 a.m.

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Biscuits, Gravy and Good Will

Chantilly High fetes businesses that help its special-ed students.

Some 30 local businesses support Chantilly High’s Special-Education Career Classes. So on Sept. 26, the school held a breakfast in its lecture hall to honor them, and the students and teachers joined in, too.

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Chilly, Fun Clifton Day

People from all over the area came to Clifton Day 2012.

A Word With Fairfax City Schools Superintendent Peter Noonan

Superintendent Meets "Top-Notch" Principals

Since coming to Fairfax County Public Schools in July 2001, Clifton resident Peter Noonan has been on an upward trajectory. He went from being an assistant principal to a principal to a school system assistant superintendent. But he left it all in July, on the move upward, as he became the superintendent of the City of Fairfax Schools.

New Man at Centreville High School’s Helm

Martin Grimm begins first year as principal.

Martin Grimm, Centreville High’s new principal, has spent most of his life coaching, teaching and leading children. So it’s understandable how he ended up in education.

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Community Comes Through for School’s Food Drive

On Fridays, these children could go to Centreville’s food-storage area and people would fill their backpacks with weekend snacks.

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Officers of Quarter Honored at Sully

Police work reduced crime in Chantilly Lace community.

Two police officers who worked together to reduce drug dealing and other criminal activity in a Chantilly community were honored recently as the Sully District Station’s Officers of the Quarter. They are PFC Adam Jantosciak and MPO Garrett Polowy.

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Centreville Labor Center Seeking New Director

Shani Moser leaves for job teaching Spanish.

For the past year, Shani Moser has been using her Spanish-language expertise in her position as director of the Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC). Since the majority of the day laborers there are Hispanic, her fluency proved an invaluable asset.

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Building Tomorrow’s Cyber Defenders

Students participate in Cybersecurity camp at Chantilly.

“Northrop Grumman is the largest cybersecurity provider to the federal government,” said corporate spokeswoman Marynoele Benson. And the company sent instructors to Chantilly to develop the camp’s curriculum, teach the classes and run the challenges.

Raising Funds for Best Buddies

Eric Latcheran and Kevin Whalen are teaming up again for Best Buddies. Both are participating this month in the annual Best Buddies Challenge in Washington, D.C. But before they can do so, they have to raise money to donate to the cause. Toward that end, they’re holding a Bartenders Night fundraiser, Thursday, Oct. 11, from 5-8 p.m., at Glory Days Grill.