Back to profile

Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

Tease photo

Westfield High To Present the Musical, ‘Footloose’

“What a great way to end a beautiful year,” said director Susie Pike.

The music, story and costumes will transport audiences back to the ’80s when Westfield High presents the musical, “Footloose,” in the school theater. It’s Westfield’s Cappies show and features a cast and crew of 55.

Tease photo

Centreville: The Alliance Theatre Presents “The Addams Family”

Takes the audience on a joyride.

Gomez, Morticia, Lurch and the rest of the gang from the classic TV show, “The Addams Family,” will come to life onstage when The Alliance Theatre presents the musical comedy of the same name. The show runs three weekends, April 29-May 15, at Mountain View High, 5775 Spindle Court in Centreville.

Tease photo

Planning Commission, Community Honors Litzenberger

“He’s someone who’s willing to invest the time and make people understand the land-use process.” — Michael Frey, former Sully District Supervisor

After Michael Frey retired as Sully District supervisor, Kathy Smith succeeded him and made her own appointments to various Fairfax County boards and commissions. So after serving eight years as Sully’s planning commissioner, John Litzenberger was replaced by Karen Keys-Gamarra.

After 15 Years, Wolfe Admits Guilt

Writes confession saying he killed Danny Petrole.

After 15 years of denying that he ordered the killing of Danny Petrole, Justin Wolfe reversed himself last week in a handwritten confession. In it, he admitted giving the go-ahead to the man who carried out the hit.

Tease photo

Centreville: ‘He and Erin Are Together’

Grafton Peterson, Virginia Tech victim’s father, dies at 57.

Like most people, Grafton Peterson experienced both great joy and great sadness in his life. He had a long and happy marriage and two children he adored. But he outlived both his daughters and, on March 18, succumbed to a heart attack at age 57.

Tease photo

Lidl Grocery for Chantilly?

Potential traffic problems have to be ironed out.

If all goes well, a little bit of Europe may someday come to Chantilly. It would do so in the form of a Lidl grocery store in the Chantilly Crossing Shopping Center.

Supporting Fairfax Salvation Army

Fundraiser for Fairfax Salvation Army set for the Waterford.

The hot looks for spring, live entertainment, a luncheon and a silent auction are all in store for attendees of the 36th annual fashion show benefiting the Fairfax Salvation Army. It will be held Friday, April 15, from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Waterford in Fair Oaks (off the ring road across from Fair Oaks Mall).

Tease photo

‘Small Candle of Hope in a Troubled World’

Ahmadiyya Muslim Women hold interfaith peace dialogue.

Sometimes it takes a woman to lead the way — or, at least, to plant the seeds of a good idea. And that’s what happened when the Women’s Association of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosted an interfaith dialogue on peace.

Tease photo

Stewart Honored as Officer of Month

Nabbed two people suspected of auto thefts.

Each month, the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) of the Sully District Police Station honors one of the station’s officers for his or her outstanding service to the police and to the community.

Tease photo

Wish Comes True

Centreville’s Liam Bruen gets a companion dog.

Like most little boys, Liam Bruen loves superheroes and playing with his dog and his friends — he just does it from a wheelchair. Born with muscular dystrophy, he was officially diagnosed one-and-a-half years ago.

Tease photo

Chantilly: Meet Westfield Principal Anthony Copeland

Decades of leadership prepared him for the job.

Westfield High Principal Anthony Copeland has a wealth of experience as a leader, both in schools and in the military. Before taking over the reins at Westfield in September 2015, he was an assistant principal at Lake Braddock Secondary and North Stafford High and an Army field artillery officer who served 20 years in the military.

Tease photo

Chantilly Snapshot: Police Honor Chick-Fil-A

Chick-Fil-A’s Peter Kim (left) receives a plaque from police 1st Lt. Matt Owens. The restaurant was honored during the Feb. 10 meeting of the Sully District Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee. Owens, the assistant station commander, said Chick-Fil-A donated food to the police officers working on New Year’s Eve and has partnered with the station on various community projects. The plaque recognized Chick-Fil-A for its “continued, outstanding support and dedication to the men and women of the Sully District Police Station.”

Tease photo

Centreville/Chantilly: State of the Station

A look at local crime, traffic and community engagement.

Basically, the Sully District is a safe place to live, and the men and women of the Sully District Police Station are doing everything they can to keep it that way. That was the overall message presented by Capt. Bob Blakley, the station commander, and others during the annual State of the Station report to the community.

Rochefort: Officer of the Year

Wrote third-highest number of traffic tickets in the county.

PFC Brian G. Rochefort has been named the Sully District Police Station’s 2015 Officer of the Year. And although he couldn’t be present to receive his award, he was honored during the Feb. 10 meeting of the station’s Citizens Advisory Committee.

Mountain View Grads Succeeding Despite Obstacles

Mountain View honors four students with special awards.

During Mountain View High’s winter graduation last week, four students were honored with special awards. They were Sara Mendez, Jada Jones, Reynaldo Gonzalez Martinez and Brenda Rivera.

Tease photo

Mountain View Principal: ‘You Can Achieve Anything’

Success stories shared at Mountain View’s graduation.

Mountain View High’s motto is “Family, Love, Respect,” and it was on full display during the school’s winter graduation, last Tuesday, Feb. 16, at Centreville High.

Fairfax County Police: ‘We’re There to Help Them Out’

CAC learns about Police Department’s hostage negotiations team.

Each month, members of the Sully District Police Station’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) learn about a different section of the Fairfax County Police Department. Recently, they learned about hostage negotiations.

Tease photo

ServiceSource Helps People with Disabilities

Nonprofit ServiceSource helps people with disabilities.

In one section of the ServiceSource Chantilly Center, music therapist Myra Goodrich leads a group of budding musicians playing a cheerful song.

Tease photo

Centreville: Joining Together to Help, Support Others

Meet Centreville High’s Wildcats vs. Cancer club.

Centreville High sophomore Valerie Nguyen founded the Wildcats vs. Cancer club at her school to help others. But for her, the battle against this disease is also personal.

Tease photo

Chantilly: ‘Seeing What’s Changed ... And what has not’ since “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Westfield presents ‘To Kill a Mockingbird.’

A volatile courtroom drama in 1930s Alabama comes to life in Westfield High’s production of the Harper Lee classic, “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Tease photo

Bite Me Cancer Gets New Home

Nonprofit now headquartered in AFCEA building in Fair Lakes.

When Nikki Ferraro was just 17, she was diagnosed with a rare form of thyroid cancer. Since then, she’s fought it hard while also reaching out to help other teenagers battling the same disease.

Tease photo

Centreville Resident: ‘I’ve Got a Golden Ticket’

“American Idol” sends Westfield’s Sara Sturm to Hollywood.

It’s too early to know whether Centreville resident Sara Sturm will be the next American Idol; but at least, she has a chance. That’s because, after auditioning on the singing-competition show that aired Jan. 13 on national TV, she received a golden ticket to Hollywood.

Tease photo

Chantilly: Fairytales, Puppets and Laughter for Everyone

Chantilly High presents “Jack and Jill and the Beanstalk.”

Take two popular fairytales, add a couple gigantic puppets and mix well inside the mind of Chantilly High Theater Director Ed Monk, and the result is the school’s upcoming children’s play.

New Sully Supervisor Chooses Her Team

Board of Supervisors has final say on Kathy Smith’s nominees.

New Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith (D) has been busy choosing her team to assist her in issues regarding Sully. At press time on Tuesday, Jan. 12, she planned to announce her nominees to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, which has the final say on their approval.

Tease photo

Centreville/Chantilly: Looking into the Future

Homes, stores, restaurants and a roundabout.

With the downturn in the office market, developers are instead planning to build residential and commercial uses on vacant parcels of land in the Westfields area of Chantilly. Below are details about what’s on the horizon, including plans for a memory-care facility off of Route 50 west.

Tease photo

Christmas Comes to Hanley Shelter

Christmas came early at the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter, courtesy of the third annual Gift of Giving event.

Chantilly: ‘In the Spirit of the Season’

Sully police collect, deliver holiday food to local families.

Santa’s elves aren’t the only ones lending a hand, this holiday season. The men and women of the Sully District Police Station are doing their share, too. They “adopted” 30 local families in need, collected 2,009 pounds of food and then delivered it to them.

Tease photo

Chantilly/Centreville: ‘In the Spirit of the Season’

Sully police collect, deliver holiday food to local families.

Santa’s elves aren’t the only ones lending a hand, this holiday season. The men and women of the Sully District Police Station are doing their share, too. They “adopted” 30 local families in need, collected 2,009 pounds of food and then delivered it to them.

Snapshot: ONC Brings Holiday Happiness

Our Neighbor’s Child just packaged and delivered Christmas gifts to nearly 800 local families in need.

Chantilly/Centreville: ‘We Are All God’s Children’

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community holds prayer vigil.

The motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is “Love for all, hatred for none.” Its members condemn violence, terrorism and Jihad and, instead, believe in morality, justice, peace and tolerance.

Tease photo

Centreville: Homes Will Rise Instead of Offices

Developer will build 355 apartments at the Trinity Centre.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors recently approved a developer’s plan for the Trinity Centre in Centreville. As a result, 355 apartments will be built there, amenities will be added around the lake and the county will receive financial contributions.

Tease photo

Centreville Snapshot: Stone Students Help ONC

Posing with some of the gifts donated by the community to Our Neighbor’s Child during the Panther Drop-Off are members of Stone Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society.

Chantilly: Charlie Brown, the Grinch and More

Westfield High presents its “Ho-Ho Holiday Show.”

Each year, a holiday tradition at Westfield High is the “Ho-Ho Holiday show.”

Centreville: Voices Will Be Raised in Song

Centreville High presents winter choral concert.

Voices will be raised in song when Centreville High choral students present “Celebrate Peace; A Winter Choral Concert.” It’s set for Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. in the school theater. Admission is free and a reception will follow.

Lending a Hand To Help Others

Our Neighbor’s Child brightens Christmas for local families.

The volunteers of Our Neighbor’s Child are working as hard as Santa’s elves to bring holiday joy to local families in need. But with so many people in need, they can’t do it all without the community’s help.

Tease photo

Encore Presents ‘Christmas in New York’

Encore Presents ‘Christmas in New York.’

If it is December, it is time for Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s annual holiday show. And this year’s Broadway-style, original musical – celebrating Encore’s 20th anniversary – is called “Christmas in New York.”

Tease photo

Take a Journey of Imagination

Encore to present “Christmas in New York.”

If it’s December, it’s time for Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s annual holiday show. And this year’s Broadway-style, original musical — celebrating Encore’s 20th anniversary — is called “Christmas in New York.”

Tease photo

Serving Those Who Served: Chantilly High Honors Veterans

Each year, Chantilly High and members of its National Honor Society (NHS) honor area veterans, and it’s something both the hosts and guests eagerly anticipate.

Tease photo

Centreville: ONC Needs Clothes, Toys

And volunteers.

Each year at Christmastime, the nonprofit, all-volunteer organization, Our Neighbor’s Child, provides new clothes and toys for families in need in the local area. But the need is so great that ONC can’t do it without help from the local community.

Tease photo

Police Honor Officer Alexander: ‘This Honor Is Well-Deserved'

PFC Michelle Alexander is Officer of the Month.

PFC Michelle L. Alexander was recently recognized for a job well done.

Tease photo

Ad Fontes: ‘A Blessing to Be In Our Own Building’

Ad Fontes Academy now united on one campus.

It’s been a long time coming, but Ad Fontes Academy can finally be described as a school united.

Chantilly: Witty Dialogue, Humor in Classic Whodunit

Comedic mystery, “The 39 Steps,” at Westfield High.

Featuring a cast and crew of 35, Westfield’s High’s upcoming play, “The 39 Steps,” is an adaptation of a classic, Alfred Hitchcock movie. And Director Susie Pike says it’s going to be something special.

Tease photo

Alliance Theatre Offers Original Play

“Shutter” is written, directed by Leslie Anne Ross.

Tough, gritty, honest and absorbing — that’s The Alliance Theatre’s upcoming production of “Shutter.” An original work written and directed by Leslie Anne Ross, it’ll be performed Nov. 13-22 at Mountain View High.

Tease photo

Taking a Stand against Hunger

Community helps fill Our Daily Bread’s food pantry.

The power of community was on full display Sunday afternoon as some 1,500 people came together on a Fairfax High athletic field to help Our Daily Bread (ODB) feed local families in need.

Tease photo

Centreville: Vignettes of All Stages of Love

Centreville High presents “Almost, Maine.”

A series of distinct vignettes that together work as a whole — that’s Centreville High’s upcoming play, “Almost, Maine.”

Tom Wilson: “It takes creativity and hard work.”

Candidates Compete for School Board Seat

Tom Wilson of Oakton believes he stands for the will of the people and is the best person to speak for them as Sully District’s representative on the Fairfax County School Board.

Tease photo

Karen Keys-Gamarra: ‘I’ve been focusing on children’s needs.’

Candidates Compete for School Board Seat

Karen Keys-Gamarra believes she’s the best person to represent Sully District on the Fairfax County School Board. After all, she’s been looking out for children’s best interests for years.

Tease photo

Local Student in Woodson Musical

Juliet Strom, 7, acts in “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

A slice of Americana and a glimpse at a kinder, gentler time – that’s the musical comedy, “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

Tease photo

It's Time to Sign Up For the Goblin Gallop

Benefits families of children with cancer.

Halloween will soon be here, and that means it’s time for the 22nd annual Goblin Gallop. It’s set for Sunday, Oct. 25, at the Fairfax Corner Shopping Center.

Tease photo

John Guevara: “Grow the Economy Through Business.”

Candidates Pursue Sully District Supervisor Seat

When asked why he’s running for Sully District supervisor, Fair Oaks resident John Guevara says his entire life has been one of service.