Back to profile

Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

‘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.

Tease photo

Wildcats on Parade

Snapshots from Centreville High’s Homecoming Parade

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

Visiting the Local Fire Station

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

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

‘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.

Tease photo

‘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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

Crafts, Plays, Dance: Events for Fall

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

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

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.

Tease photo

‘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.

Bereavement Group To Meet

Rachel Crossett was just 6 in July 2001 when she died of cancer after a long fight. Her death devastated her mother, Meg Crossett; but with a husband and other children to care for, she had to be strong and carry on.

For Justin Wolfe, It’s Good and Bad News

State won’t appeal overturned convictions, but Prince William plans to retry him.

For Justin Wolfe and his family, the past week has been a rollercoaster of emotions. On Friday, Sept. 7, the state attorney general’s office said it won’t appeal his overturned convictions in a murder-for-hire, death-penalty and drug-dealing case.

Tease photo

Hoping for a Traffic Signal

Willow Springs parents describe transportation troubles.

It’s not a done deal, yet. But if the traffic volume at the intersection of Braddock Road and Willow Springs School Road warrants it, a traffic signal will someday be installed there. And it can’t come soon enough for Willow Springs Elementary parents and schoolbus drivers.

Kid Fest in Clifton

Food, fun, music and games in the park.

Music, games, food and an all-around good time – that’s what’s in store for those attending Kid Fest in Clifton. It’s slated for this Saturday, Sept. 15, from noon-5 p.m., in the town park.

Tease photo

Why CBC’s Members Love Their Church

During the Saturday, Sept. 8, open house at Centreville Baptist Church, members toured the new addition and talked about why their church is special to them.

Tease photo

‘A Place for People With a Purpose’

Centreville Baptist Church celebrates new worship center.

Centreville Baptist Church has a new worship center, bookstore, classrooms and area for gatherings and fellowship. But the Rev. Billy Ross knows it means much more than just a new addition to the facility.

The Background: Drugs, Murder and Money

When 21-year-old, Centreville High grad Danny Petrole was slain in his car in front of his Bristow townhouse, March 15, 2001, it stunned the community and devastated his family. It also led police to discover a drug ring of major proportions operating in the Centreville/Chantilly area.

Tease photo

Teachers Are Excited about New School Year

The bells have all rung and the students returned to their classes this week. But school started earlier for their teachers, who spent part of their summer working on lesson plans and readying their classrooms for the new school year.

Tease photo

Lesson Plan For Success

Teachers are excited about the new school year.

The bells have all rung and the students returned to their classes this week. But school started earlier for their teachers, who spent part of their summer working on lesson plans and readying their classrooms for the new school year.

Tease photo

School Begins Again for Local Students

More than 181,000 students headed back to their classrooms Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, for the start of the 2012-13 school year. They toted backpacks, lunchboxes and assorted supplies and greeted the new year with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

Tease photo

Back to the Classroom

School begins again for local students.

More than 181,000 students headed back to their classrooms Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, for the start of the 2012-13 school year. They toted backpacks, lunchboxes and assorted supplies and greeted the new year with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

Centre View Roundups, Sept. 5 2012

Centre View Round-ups, Sept. 5, 2012: Youth Group Volunteer Arrested; Back-To-School Safety; Free Carseat Inspections; Park Authority to Meet; Charitable Donations Still Accepted; Draft Bicycle Master Plan

Tease photo

Cool Cars in Clifton

The 13th Annual Labor Day Car Show in Clifton was Monday, Sept. 3. All proceeds went to Life with Cancer and the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program.