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Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

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.

‘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.

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

‘It’s Just Good, Wholesome Fun’

Alliance Theatre presents musical comedy, : “Nunsense.”

When 52 of the Little Sisters of Hoboken, a convent in New Jersey, die after eating bad potato-leek soup, the remaining 19 nuns need to bury them. But first, they have to put on a talent show to raise enough money to do so. 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. Show times are Friday-Saturday, Nov. 2-3 and Nov. 9-10, and Nov. 16-17, all at 7:30 p.m., plus Sunday, Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $16/adult; $14/child (12 and under); $14/senior citizens; go to boxoffice@thealliancetheatre.org.

Mountain View Teacher Hoffman Is Honored

Mountain View High math teacher Anne Hoffman received the Educator of the Year award Saturday from the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce. She was honored during the opening ceremonies of the Oct. 20 Centreville Day celebration in Centreville’s Historic District. Mountain View Principal Dave Jagels presented her award; but first, he told those attending why Hoffman is so special and why the school chose her to receive this honor.

Man Charged: Drugs, Weapons Crimes

A Centreville man was among more than 100 people arrested recently as part of a nearly year-long operation by three law-enforcement agencies. He is Kevin Young of Bull Run Post Office Road in Centreville. He was charged with two counts of drug distribution and one count of possessing a firearm while in possession of schedule I or II narcotics. He was arrested Aug. 19, but police didn’t release that information until last week, when they released details of the operation. Participating were officers and detectives with the Fairfax County and Prince William County police departments, plus the Virginia State Police.

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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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‘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.

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.

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Demand for Help Grows Each Year

WFCM celebrates 25th anniversary.

In 1987, a dozen churches in Centreville, Chantilly and Fair Oaks were inundated with people walking in and asking for food and money. Eventually, the pastors discussed it among themselves and devised a plan.

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Crafts, Plays, Dance: Events for Fall

Below is a partial listing of autumn events happening in the area:

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Family Fun At Cox Farms

Cool, crisp weather, apple cider, pumpkins and changing leaves are sure signs of autumn. In the local area, it also means it’s time for the annual fall festival at Cox Farms.

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Get Ready for Clifton Day

45th annual festival is Sunday, Oct. 7.

Live bands, moonbounces, handmade crafts, Civil War re-enactors, food galore, pony rides and a unicyclist — all these things and more will be part of the 45th annual Clifton Day. The festival is slated for Sunday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Rain date is Oct. 14.)

No Bail for Wolfe

He’ll be retried in October by Fairfax County’s head prosecutor.

More than 10 years have passed since Chantilly High grad Justin Wolfe has been inside a Prince William County courtroom. The last time, June 26, 2002, he was sentenced to death for ordering the March 2001, execution-style killing of Centreville High grad Danny Petrole.

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Walk, Dance, Play, Help

WFCM fundraiser is Sept. 29 at the nZone.

Local residents can have a good time while helping people in their own neighborhoods. On Saturday, Sept. 29, from 9-11 a.m., Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) is holding a “Help the Homeless” Community Walk, Zumba Class and Family Fun event.

Buying Pizza Can Help Fight Thyroid Cancer

When Nikki Ferraro was a Chantilly High School junior in April 2010, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. But while undergoing treatment, she gathered about 30 friends and organized a Relay for Life team.

Smaller School with Pilot Programs

Stone Middle principal discusses what’s new this year.

When Scott Phillips first came to Stone Middle School some 11 years ago, it was jammed to the rafters with 1,350 students. Then Liberty Middle opened in 2002, and Stone’s enrollment dropped significantly.

Door-to-Door with Chantilly Voters

Volunteers mobilize for Obama campaign.

About 10 volunteers from President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign met outside Rocky Run Middle School on Saturday before fanning out into Chantilly’s Poplar Tree Estates neighborhood to canvass the residents.

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Help Feed Hungry Children

Last year, Centreville Elementary created a backpack program at the school to help feed students in need when school’s not in session. Through this program, children identified by CES as requiring some food assistance are given a small bag with enough food to get them through the weekend. The goal on Sept. 29 is to fill 700 bags with food for these students.

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‘A Forklift on Steroids’

Firehouse Subs gives firefighters $10,000 toward search tool.

When disasters nearly anywhere in the world trap people in buildings and under rubble, Fairfax County’s Urban Search and Rescue Team is often called to find and rescue them. Now, thanks to a new piece of equipment called a telehandler, the team will be even better prepared for the task.