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Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

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Saffoori Honored as Officer of the Month

PFC Ramsy Saffoori has been selected as an Officer of the Month for the Sully District Police Station.

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A Weekend Full of Chocolate Fun in Fairfax City

City’s tastiest festival is Feb. 4-5.

The Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival is a dream-come-true for chocolate aficionados, and the 2017 extravaganza is this Saturday, Feb. 4, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 5, from noon-4 p.m.

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'Its Sadly Still Very Relevant'

Westfield High presents “The Laramie Project.”

In October 1998 in a prairie outside Laramie, Wy., college student Matthew Shepard, 21, was tied to a fence and beaten because he was gay.

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Peanuts Characters Come to Life

CVHS presents “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

Centreville High’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” will resonate with children and adults alike.

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University Drive Extension Project Advances Slightly

Council votes to bring it to 30-percent design.

The Fairfax City Council has not completely approved the controversial University Drive extension...But the project inched forward slightly Tuesday night when the members voted to advance it to the 30-percent design stage.

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Meet Labor Resource Center's Jasmine Blaine

New director hopes to improve workers’ lives.

Jasmine Blaine, the director of the Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) is helping connect day laborers with jobs.

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‘Hard Work and Tireless Effort’

Police Det. Steven Kitzerow honored as Officer of the Month.

Det. Steven Kitzerow has been selected as the Sully District Station's Officer of the Month for December.

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Hard Work and Tireless Effort

Det. Steven Kitzerow has been selected as the Sully District Police Station’s Officer of the Month for December.

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Fairfax City Council Mulls Location of Community Center

Three or more sites are under consideration.

For more than a year, a committee has been researching potential sites for a community center in the City of Fairfax.

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Chantilly High presents “Goldilocks on Trial”

A Children’s Show with Attitude

Picture Goldilocks and Baby Bear as a teenager and a preteen, respectively, and imagine Goldilocks being prosecuted for breaking into the three bears’ house. That’s the premise of Chantilly High’s upcoming children’s show, “Goldilocks on Trial.”

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Centreville High Guitarists, Performers Present 30th Gumbo Concert

‘They Rise to Another Level’

Take some talented guitarists, add other musicians and singers and stir well, and the result is a Centreville High tradition: The school’s annual Gumbo Concert.

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From City Council to Mayor: Candidates express their views on the issues facing Fairfax.

It was standing-room-only Monday night, Jan. 9, as some 140 residents packed a meeting room and spilled into the hall to hear the views of their candidates for Fairfax City mayor.

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Fairfax Mayoral Candidates Tackle the Tough Questions

Forum held Monday night at City library.

Fairfax City Council members Michael DeMarco, David Meyer and Ellie Schmidt each hope to become the new mayor on Feb. 7.

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Hoping to Improve Local Bicycling

FABB shares information, solicits community input.

The Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling (FABB) is an all-volunteer group that advocates for more bike lanes, bike trails and neighborhood connections.

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‘What If a Garden Could Teach, Inspire Children?’

Lees Corner Elementary celebrates its outdoor classroom.

Lees Corner Elementary’s outdoor classroom.

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Fairfax: What’s on the City’s Horizon

Multifamily homes and redevelopment

Planned are two, four-story buildings containing 80 condos. Sixteen of the units will be one-bedroom; 48, two-bedroom; and 16, three-bedroom. IDI-RJL Development LLC is building a residential development called The Enclave at the Mantua Professional Center on Pickett Road. The site’s zoned commercial planned development, so both office and condo uses may exist on it.

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Our Neighbor's Child Makes Deliveries for Christmas

Thanks to Our Neighbor’s Child, more than 800 local families in need received new toys and clothes for the holidays.

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Making Spirits Brighter at Hanley Shelter

The Katherine Hanley Family Shelter serves homeless mothers and their young children.

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Fairfax: ‘Just Pause and Don’t Do It’

Residents debate University Drive extension

The City’s proposal to extend University Drive has sparked strong feelings in Fairfax residents. They spoke both for and against it at the Nov. 1 community outreach meeting and before the Nov. 8 City Council meeting. But most of the speakers during Tuesday night’s public hearing were firmly opposed.

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Fairfax: University Drive Decision Postponed

Council to mull community’s comments, get more information.

After 29 residents – the vast majority in opposition – spoke about it, the Council decided it needed more time to consider the community’s comments, see if a grid network in Northfax is really needed and obtain more information about its options.

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Extraordinary Chantilly Enterprise that’s Changing Lives

DRCE helps people with disabilities drive adapted vehicles.

Owned by two military veterans, Driver Rehabilitation Center of Excellence helps people with disabilities drive adapted vehicles — and change their lives.

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Providing Immigrants with Jobs, Safety and Dignity in Centreville

Centreville Labor Resource Center celebrates fifth anniversary

When the Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) holds a celebration, it does so with people, food, music and fun.

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Fairfax City: >Red-Light Cameras for Three More Locations

The goal is to increase driver and pedestrian safety.

City Council has given Police Chief Carl Pardiny the go-ahead to have red-light cameras installed at three more City intersections.

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Fairfax: Three Council Members Are Vying for Mayor

Politics

Three members of the Fairfax City Council have tossed their hats in the ring to become the City’s next mayor. Vying in the Feb. 7, 2017 special election will be Council members Michael DeMarco, David Meyer and Ellie Schmidt.

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Centreville Labor Center to Celebrate Five Years

Public invited to event this Sunday

When the Centreville Labor Resource Center (CLRC) opened its doors, five years ago, to serve the community’s immigrant population, it was hoped that it would be a success.

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Ways to Help Our Neighbor’s Child in Centreville and Chantilly

The nonprofit Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC) provides financially struggling, local families with new toys and clothes for the holidays.

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Snoopy, Muppets, Grinch, Christmas and Hanukkah in Chantilly

Westfield High to present ‘Ho Ho Holiday Show.’

Sugarplum fairies, the Grinch, Charlie Brown, the Muppets and even “Back to the Future’s” Marty McFly are all in Westfield High’s upcoming “Ho Ho Holiday Show.”

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Fairfax: Holidays Come to City Concerts, Plays, Santa and S’mores

City of Fairfax ushers in the holiday season.

Christmas in the City of Fairfax is always special. And a full slate of activities from Dec. 3-19 is sure to make holiday spirits bright.

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Fairfax: Getting into Holiday Spirit with Encore

Musical extravaganza, ‘Christmas Undercover,’ takes the stage.

“It’s a really cute plot with a detective feel to it, plus Santa Claus,” said Director Raynor van der Merwe. “There’s a strong storyline that sets up beautiful vocal and dance numbers that further tell the story. It’s a very entertaining show for the whole family. For two hours, the youngest to the oldest will be transported to a different world.”

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Getting into the Holiday Spirit in Annandale

Just the thing to put people into the holiday spirit is “Christmas Undercover.”

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How To Help Our Neighbor’s Child in Centreville

Now in its 25th year, the nonprofit Our Neighbor’s Child (ONC) provides financially struggling, local families with new toys and clothes for the holidays.

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Fairfax: Good Battles Evil in Magical World

CFTC presents ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.’

It’s WWII in England when four siblings make their way to a world called Narnia through a magic wardrobe. There, they have all kinds of adventures, including defeating the White Witch, the self-proclaimed ruler of Narnia. That’s the premise of the City of Fairfax Theatre Co.’s upcoming production, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” It’ll be presented Dec. 1-4 at Truro Anglican Church, 10520 Main St. in Fairfax.

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Fairfax: ‘More about Giving, than Receiving’

Britepaths seeks community’s holiday help for neighbors in need.

“We anticipate serving about 2,000 families, as opposed to 1,500 last year,” said Britepaths Executive Director Lisa Whetzel. “Normally, we share them with our other nonprofit partners. But what is concerning is that, this year, our partners are scaling back – so we’re in desperate need for people who want to become sponsors.”

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Centreville UMC Mission Work Helps the Community

Provides food, household items, diapers, English classes.

Most churches are involved in various missions, and Centreville United Methodist Church (CUMC) is no exception. Describing the church’s congregation as “generous and mission-driven,” its mission director, Michelle Formica, recently discussed several of the church’s missions.

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Helping Centreville Families During Holidays

Our Neighbor’s Child provides toys and clothing.

When Centreville’s Kelly Lavin and some friends got together in 1991 to provide Christmas gifts for some families in need in their community, they did so for 15 children. Fast forward to now, and that number has grown to 1,876 children.

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Fairfax: Remembering America’s Veterans

OLLI holds annual event in their honor.

Drafted in 1944, Pelzner was trained as a diesel mechanic and assigned to the USS Alchiba supply ship. “We took supplies from the U.S. to the Mariana, Marshall and Caroline Islands and to the Philippines,” he said.

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Fairfax: Taste of Fall Nets $80,000 for FACETS

Some 300 people participated in the 17th annual “A Taste of Fall with FACETS,” Nov. 5, at the Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax. And by evening’s end, they’d contributed more than $80,000.

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‘A Blessing for All Involved’

WFCM provides families with food for the holidays.

Christmas dinner is always a highlight of the holiday season. But for people who are hungry and have little or no food in their kitchen, it can be devastating.

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Council gives go-ahead to Rust Curve project.

Rust Curve Project Gets ‘Green Light’

The Rust Curve proposal is controversial, with residents on both sides of the issue. But, believing in the many benefits it’ll bring, the Fairfax City Council has given it a green light. The project entails building a continuous brick sidewalk on the west side of Route 123/Chain Bridge Road between Old Town Fairfax and Rust Hill Place. It also replaces the drainage ditch and deteriorating sidewalk along Chain Bridge Road with a new, at-grade curb, gutter and sidewalk.

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Fairfax: Paul VI Presents ‘Don’t Go Near the Water’

In an American embassy somewhere behind the Iron Curtain. The ambassador’s son, a bumbler, is running the embassy when three American tourists – parents and their 23-year-old daughter – run inside. They’re being chased by secret police who accuse them of spying and picture-taking. So they seek asylum and make plans to escape. Featuring a cast and crew of 50, Paul VI High presents the rollicking comedy, “Don’t Go Near the Water.” It takes the stage Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 17-20, in the school theater.

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Scouting for Food for WFCM Pantry

Volunteers still needed for this Saturday.

Many people in Fairfax County are surprised to learn that there are hungry families right in their midst.

Grocery Gift Cards, Sponsors Sought

WFCM to provide holiday food for families in need.

It’ll soon be time for the holidays, and many local families in need will receive Thanksgiving or Christmas food as recipients of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries’ (WFCM) Holiday Food Program.

Voters Make Their Wishes Known

Local turnout is steady and heavy.

At Greenbriar East Elementary, as at many polling places throughout the country, voters flocked to the polls in droves Tuesday to vote on national, state and local issues.

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Awards and Reminiscences

Kirby looks back while preparing for the future.

During Pete Kirby’s retirement celebration Saturday night, a video highlighting his career was shown. He then received several awards.

Murder Charge Goes to Grand Jury

Caterer stabbed after E.C. Lawrence Park wedding.

On the surface, an argument over folding chairs after an Aug. 6 wedding at Cabell’s Mill in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park led a woman’s fatal stabbing and a man charged with murder.

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Getting into Holiday Spirit

Lord of Life Lutheran Church presents “White Christmas.”

With their former, WWII Army commander in danger of losing his country inn in Vermont, song-and-dance team Bob Wallace and Phil Davis come to the rescue.

Quenching ‘Fires,’ Saving ‘Kittens’

Children enjoy Oct. 15 open house at Fire Station 17 in Centreville.

Wigging Out at Union Mill

Teachers, staff wear colorful hair in support of Melissa Kees.

Sure, teachers at Union Mill Elementary wear candy-colored wigs on Fridays. But that doesn’t mean they’re not serious about educating their students — it shows they’re standing by a colleague.

Having Adventures, Finding a Family

Alliance Theatre presents “James and the Giant Peach Jr.”

To Go Show times are: Nov. 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20 at 2 p.m., and Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m., at Mountain View High School, 5775 Spindle Lane (off Braddock Road) in Centreville. For ticket prices and other information, go to www.thealliancetheatre.org.

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Attracting New Businesses, Improving the Economy

City of Fairfax establishes Technology Zone

The City Council has now established a citywide Technology Zone. Board Co-Chair Fred Cornett said, “Most cities of our size in Northern Virginia have Technology Zones – there are 40 total in the commonwealth. So to level the playing field, it would be beneficial to us to have a Technology Zone Ordinance to at least have what everybody else has in their tool kit.”