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Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

Fundraiser Planned for Animal Shelter

Wine-tasting event slated for June 9.

Each year, the nonprofit Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter (FFCAS) raises money to pay for things the shelter can’t afford. And in June, it holds a wine tasting and invites the public to participate.

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It’s on to The Kennedy Center

Robinson’s musical, “Hairspray,” nominated for eight Cappies.

Each year, the Cappies program honors the best in high-school theater, and Robinson Secondary’s high-octane musical, “Hairspray,” has been nominated for eight awards.

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Clifton Spring Homes Tour

An English garden, 18th-century furnishings and a pool with waterfalls are among the delights awaiting all those attending the 41st annual Clifton Spring Homes Tour. It’s slated for Thursday, May 16, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and the fun includes a marketplace and silent auction at the Paradise Springs Winery. The silent auction ends at 5 p.m., but the marketplace goes until 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 on tour day; single-home admission is $10.

Candle Causes Fire at Clifton Home

Fairfax County fire officials say a house fire, early Sunday morning, caused an estimated $150,000 damage to a Clifton home. The incident occurred May 5, around 12:45 a.m., at 5597 Cavalier Woods Lane.

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A Race, Picnic, Music and Fun

Clifton Caboose Twilight 5K is May 18.

Runners don’t have to get up early to compete in the Town of Clifton’s annual 5K race. They can sleep in, enjoy their afternoon and then head to town for the 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run.

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Clifton Homeowners Welcome Visitors

It’s time for the 41st annual Spring Homes Tour.

An English garden, 18th-century furnishings and a pool with waterfalls are among the delights awaiting all those attending the 41st annual Clifton Spring Homes Tour. It’s slated for Thursday, May 16, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and the fun includes a marketplace and silent auction at the Paradise Springs Winery.

Real Estate Fraud Leads to Prison

Lorton woman sentenced to two years behind bars.

A 35-year-old Lorton woman conspired with three other people in an illegal real estate scheme to yield them big bucks. They plotted to take over the titles of homes in Washington, D.C., without the real property owners’ knowledge.

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‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’

“Hairspray” takes the stage at Robinson Secondary.

Robinson Secondary’s Cappies production is “Hairspray,” and Director Chip Rome is more excited about this show than he’s been about any show in “quite some time.”

‘At Some Time, Everyone Needs a Helping Hand’

Wounded veteran talks about the value of serving others.

Two years ago, Marine veteran and Purple Heart recipient Justin Constantine shared his personal story with Mountain View High students. Severely injured during the War in Iraq, he had a long road to recovery and now helps other wounded veterans.

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Father Runs Marathon in His Son’s Honor

Fairfax teen is in remission from leukemia.

This Saturday, March 16, Glen Goold is running in the Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon in Washington, D.C., to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. And fueling his every footstep will be the knowledge that his son Spencer is now in remission from this disease.

Four Plead Guilty: Real Estate Fraud

Lorton woman faces five years in prison.

Four people pleaded guilty Tuesday, Feb. 19, in federal court in Alexandria to conspiring to fraudulently take over the titles of homes in Washington, D.C., without the real property owners’ knowledge, selling those homes and keeping the profit. Among those entering a plea was Patricia Mantilla, 35, of Lorton.

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A Ticket to Hollywood

Fairfax Academy student Maddie Assel is on American Idol.

Fairfax Academy student Maddie Assel is a bubbly, outgoing, 17-year-old. She’s busy with school, friends, college visits and—oh, yes, she’s also a contestant on American Idol.

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‘Peanuts’ Comic Strip Comes Alive

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

Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder—the whole “Peanuts” gang—shows up for Fairfax High’s production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.”

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Robinson Offers Pair of Children’s Shows

Presenting “Waking Sleeping Beauty” and “The Lorax” this weekend.

The only thing better than one children’s show is two children’s shows, and Robinson Secondary’s Production Company class, RoProCo, is presenting a double bill this weekend.

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Artistic Talent on Display

Members of the Art Guild of Clifton, in cooperation with the Clifton Betterment Association, held an art show and sale, Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Clifton Town Meeting Hall.

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‘The Food Was Fabulous’

Fairfax student’s team wins culinary challenge.

Five stars are given to America’s top restaurants, and at a recent culinary competition, a student team from The Chantilly Academy captured the top prize, the Five Star Award.

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Parent Perspective on Boundary Changes

After Monday’s boundary-change meeting, some parents discussed their own concerns with the potential changes.

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‘All I Want for Christmas’

Encore dancers present annual holiday show.

A great way to kick off the holiday season is by seeing Encore Theatrical Arts Project’s new show, “All I Want for Christmas.” This song-and-dance extravaganza aims to delight audiences of all ages.

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Seeking Relief for Fairfax and Lanier

Parents discuss school boundary changes.

School boundary changes are never easy and, no matter how they end up, somebody’s always unhappy. But when schools are projected to be at 125 percent and 109 percent of their building capacities in just a few more years, something has to be done in advance to prevent it.

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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.

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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.”

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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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Chilly, Fun Clifton Day

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

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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.)

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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.

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Clifton Car Show on Labor Day, Sept. 3, 2012

Featuring street rods, custom and antique cars, muscle and classic cars, and motorcycles, the 13th Annual Labor Day Car Show is Monday, Sept. 3, 2012 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., in Clifton.

Creative Thinking, Problem Solving and Engineering

Philip Everard is only eight, but says he’s been building with LEGOs ever since he was born.

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Hands-On Fun while Learning

Children attend LEGO camp in Clifton

Sure, LEGOs are child’s play—but they’re also much more. And Clifton’s Cam Meyer, 15, recently shared his knowledge of what these colorful building pieces can do during a LEGO camp held in the town’s meeting hall.

Suspended Prison Sentence for Former Band Director

Former Robinson band director must register as sex offender.

When Michael Keith Cook was sentenced last week for computer solicitation of a child under age 15, he didn’t lose his freedom. But even before he set foot in the courtroom, he’d already lost something precious to him – his career as a school band director.

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President Comes to the Area

Obama rallies his supporters during the campaign stop at Centreville High.

Before President Barack Obama addressed the huge crowd inside Centreville High, Saturday afternoon, Jerry Foltz of Wellspring United Church of Christ gave the invocation.

Herrity, Hugo Respond to Obama’s Visit

Both Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) and Del. Tim Hugo (R-40) held a joint press conference Saturday afternoon, speaking to local Romney supporters prior to President Obama’s campaign rally at Centreville High. Said Herrity: "It was nice to see so many people from Little Rocky Run stop by and pick up Romney signs and stand with us."

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Clifton’s Old-Fashioned Fourth

The Town of Clifton celebrated the Fourth of July with a parade, flag ceremony and a potluck picnic in the park with moonbounces, tug-of-war, pie-eating and egg-toss competitions.

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Practicing What They Preach

Local theater teachers perform ‘Into the Woods.’

Six drama teachers headline the cast of the City of Fairfax Theatre Company’s summer production of "Into the Woods." They include Fairfax High’s Wendy Knight and Paul Rubenstein and Woodson High’s Terri Hobson.

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A Story of Courage and Survival

Fairfax mother, son overcome life-threatening illnesses.

Natanael Justiniano is just 11 years old, yet he’s beaten leukemia twice and just celebrated his one-year anniversary of a lifesaving blood transplant.

Robinson, South County Win One Cappie Each

Robinson and South County secondary schools won one Cappie each at Sunday night’s 13th annual Cappie Awards at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

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Student Talent on Display

Fairfax Academy holds annual Creative Works Showcase.

Students in the Fairfax Academy displayed their signature projects last Tuesday, June 5, during the annual Creative Works Showcase. They sang, danced, played music, showed films they’d made and displayed their graphic-art, fashion, foreign language and photography skills.

Kicking Up Their Heels

Encore presents ‘Dancin’ Fool’ at NOVA.

Premiering their new show here before taking it to Greece this summer are the singers and dancers of Encore Theatrical Art Project. They’ll perform "Dancin’ Fool" on Saturday, June 9, at 4 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, June 10, at 1 and 4 p.m.

Woodson, Fairfax Shows Receive Cappie Nods

Both Woodson and Fairfax High have received Cappie nominations for their spring, theatrical productions. The winners will be revealed during the June 10 Cappies Gala at The Kennedy Center.

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Spotlight on High-School Theater

Paul VI receives nine Cappie nominations.

The Cappie nominations for outstanding high-school theater were just announced and, all together, Robinson, Woodson, Paul VI and Fairfax received 29 nominations. The awards to the winners will be presented Sunday, June 10, at the annual Cappies Gala at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Recognition is Given for Play’s Premiere

Robinson receives 10 Cappie nominations.

In November 2011, Robinson Secondary had the honor of performing the world premiere of an original play, Ken Ludwig’s "Midsummer/Jersey." And now, that play has received 10 Cappie nominations for excellence in high-school theater.

Clifton Caboose 5K Successful; Raises $10,000

The Town of Clifton’s 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run was a huge success, raising an estimated $10,000. It was held Saturday, May 12, and 581 people participated – 474 in the 5K and 107 in the 1-mile fun run/walk.

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Clifton Rolls Out the Welcome Mat

It’s the 40th annual Spring Homes Tour.

French chandeliers, antique furnishings, original paintings and whimsical collections are among the delights awaiting all those attending the 40th annual Clifton Spring Homes Tour. It’s slated for Thursday, May 17, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and includes a marketplace, silent auction and raffle, from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Paradise Springs Winery.

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It’s a Race and a Picnic

Clifton Caboose Twilight 5K is May 12

Anyone can hold a 5K race early in the morning, but the Town of Clifton does things differently. Its 15th annual Clifton Caboose Twilight Run is Saturday, May 12, with the 1-mile fun run/walk starting at 6 p.m., and the 5K, at 6:30 p.m. It’ll happen rain or shine; and in this competition, not only the winners receive prizes, but the last-place, or caboose, finisher also gets an award.

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In Case of Emergency

A look at Fairfax County’s 911 center.

Being a dispatcher in Fairfax County’s state-of-the-art, 911 center sounds like an exciting job. It’s also stressful, tiring, rewarding and, at times, harrowing.

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Car Show Slated for April 29

All proceeds benefit children’s hospital.

Besides being a longtime Clifton resident and its former mayor, Jim Chesley is also a classic-car aficionado. He’s president of the Custom Cruisers of Northern Virginia, and the group is putting on a car show to benefit a children’s hospital.

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Clifton Celebrates its 110th Birthday

With balloons, two cakes and a bench-dedication, residents gathered Saturday afternoon, April 21, in the town park to celebrate Clifton’s 110th birthday.

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Fundraiser Planned for Animal Shelter

Wine-tasting event is May 5.

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is a place of refuge for animals needing care. They often arrive ill or injured, and many have been abused, neglected or abandoned.

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‘Step Through the Looking Glass’

Woodson presents ‘Alice in Wonderland in Steampunk.’

To say Woodson High’s play, "Alice in Wonderland in Steampunk" is something special would be a huge understatement.

Car Show Slated for April 29

All proceeds benefit children’s hospital.

Besides being a longtime Clifton resident and its former mayor, Jim Chesley is also a classic-car aficionado. He’s president of the Custom Cruisers of Northern Virginia, and the group is putting on a car show to benefit a children’s hospital.