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Bonnie Hobbs

Stories by Bonnie

Fairfax: ‘A Place Where Hope Is Restored’

Community celebrates the Lamb Center’s blessings.

Each year, the Lamb Center in Fairfax holds a celebration banquet to acknowledge and appreciate its many blessings. This year, more than ever, it has a great deal to celebrate, and it did so last Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Waterford in Fair Oaks.

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Fairfax: ‘It’s a Place that Feels Like Home’

Cobbdale Assisted Living opens in Fairfax.

Cobbdale Assisted Living opened Sept. 1 in the City of Fairfax. But instead of being in an industrial-looking facility, it’s in a renovated home in a quiet, established, residential neighborhood.

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Fairfax: Three Properties Are Recognized

Homeowners receive Residential Appearance Awards.

When it comes to homes, looks count – and three properties in the City of Fairfax were recently honored with Residential Appearance Awards. They were presented during the Sept. 13 City Council meeting by Kirk Holley, chairman of the Community Appearance Committee.

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Fairfax Fall Festival is Saturday, Oct. 8

Promises entertainment and fun for all ages.

The City of Fairfax is the place to be this Saturday, Oct. 8, for the 40th annual Fairfax Fall Festival. (Rain date, Oct. 9). Admission is free and the live music will continue after dark. Vendors will be there from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the carnival runs until 8 p.m. and musicians will jam in Old Town Square until 8:30 p.m.

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City of Fairfax Honors Skeins

Names basketball court in Ratcliffe Park in his memory.

Harold Skeins was 78, but he was a fixture at Ratcliffe Park, happy to play basketball there as often as he could. His three-point shot was legendary, and he could hold his own with players young enough to be his grandchildren.

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Fairfax: Music, Food, Crafts, Carnival and Fun

Fairfax Fall Festival is Saturday, Oct. 8.

Autumn is on its way and so is the 40th annual Fairfax Fall Festival. It’s set for Saturday, Oct. 8, in downtown Fairfax and admission is free. Vendors will be there from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with the carnival running until 8 p.m. and musicians performing in Old Town Square until 8:30 p.m. (Rain date, Oct. 9).

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First Lady Comes to GMU, Campaigns for Clinton

Speaks on Hillary Clintons 'lifelong record of public service.'

Excitement filled the air when First Lady Michelle Obama addressed an enthusiastic crowd, last Friday, Sept. 16, at GMU’s Johnson Center. Speaking on behalf of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, she urged everyone to vote and called Clinton the only qualified candidate in the race.

Fairfax: Federal Funds Coming to Fire Department

Money is earmarked for training and staffing.

Two, good-sized chunks of money are coming to the City of Fairfax and its Fire Department, courtesy of the federal government. The funds are to be used for staffing and training.

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Paul VI Site Challenge: Striking Right Balance

One plan preserves part of school; other creates a replica.

Since Paul VI High School will leave the City of Fairfax in 2020, plans are underway to redevelop its 18.5-acre site along Fairfax Boulevard. And last Tuesday, Sept. 6, developer IDI Group Cos. presented two possible design concepts to a joint work session of the Fairfax City Council and Planning Commission.

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Popular Car Show Comes to Fairfax

Will be held on Labor Day on University Drive.

Labor Day in the City of Fairfax will be anything but ordinary. That’s because, for the first time ever, the hugely popular Clifton Lions Club Labor Day Car Show has moved to the City.

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Fairfax: Looking Toward the Future

Multifamily homes and redevelopment.

Several development projects are either proposed or in the works in the City of Fairfax and its environs. Below are details about some of them:

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Fairfax: Stombres Takes the Reins – For Now

Appointed interim mayor until after a February 2017 special election.

Before an overflow crowd Tuesday night, the Fairfax City Council named former City Councilman Steve Stombres to serve as interim mayor.

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Fairfax: Remembering Harold Skeins

Family, community remember Harold Skeins.

Some 60 people gathered Sunday night on the basketball court in Fairfax’s Ratcliffe Park for a candlelight vigil in memory of Harold Skeins.

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Fairfax: City Residents Have Their Say

Surprise, sadness in aftermath of Silverthorne’s arrest.

Scott Silverthorne was front and center at every City of Fairfax ribbon-cutting, new business opening, fundraiser and just plain fun event like Rock the Block or Fido Fest.

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Fairfax: Small City, Big Scandal

Mayor arrested in sex-for-meth police sting.

If someone tossed a live, hand grenade in the middle of Fairfax, it potentially wouldn’t have caused as much damage or such utter shock and amazement as the news that Mayor Scott Silverthorne was arrested. And not for a traffic infringement, but for a felony involving group sex with men in exchange for drugs.

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Fairfax Snapshot: Bubbles, Bubbles Everywhere

On Saturday, Aug. 6, some 800 children cooled off at the Double Bubble Run in Van Dyck Park. They frolicked in bubbles, ran through obstacles and zipped down a 50-foot-high, inflatable, shark waterslide.

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Fairfax: Roof Fire Breaks Out at University Mall

Firefighters respond to Bangkok Golden Thai Restaurant.

Often, when there’s a fire at a restaurant, it starts in the kitchen. But a fire last week at a Thai restaurant in University Mall started on the roof, through no fault of the restaurant, at all.

Fairfax Mulls New Name, Logo and Slogan

To fine-tine and promote City's identity.

Should the City of Fairfax change its name to Fairfax City? What should its new logo look like? What shape should it be, and what colors? These and other questions have been under consideration by the City Council as it determines the City’s brand and identity.

Fairfax: Firearms Training Center Is Moving Forward

Will give local police a more modern firing range.

The current firearms training center for the City’s Police Department was built in 1985 of cinderblock and wood. It has six firing lanes, a small classroom, a weapons-cleaning area and a office that doubles as an armory.

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Fairfax: Students Win Silver Medals at Nationals

They participated in an FCCLA competition in California.

When local students Christian Heiche, Chloe Kim and Laura Stravach flew home from California recently, they did so with something new around their necks – silver medals.

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Fairfax City: Two Residents Honored with Mayor’s Awards

Fairfax City Mayor Scott Silverthorne honored two residents last week with special Mayor’s Awards.

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Fairfax City: Cops and Kids Having Fun

City of Fairfax police held their second annual Cops and Kids Day, on July 13. Children learned safety lessons, saw SWAT team, K-9 and motorcycle-riding demonstrations and enjoyed popcorn and ice cream.

‘76 Trombones Led the Big Parade’

Centreville resident has a leading role in “The Music Man.”

When fast-talking Harold Hill comes to River City, Iowa with a grand plan to create the finest band in America, the townspeople are thrilled. But straight-laced librarian Marian Paroo thinks it’s all just a scam.

Fairfax City: Paul VI Theater Director Katherine Miller ‘graduates.’

After 13 years at Paul VI High, Theater Director Katherine Miller is retiring – but don’t tell her that. “I’m not retiring,” she said, “I’m graduating.”

‘You’re the One that I Want’

Westfield Summer Stage presents the musical, “Grease.”

Break out the black leather jackets and poodle skirts — Westfield Summer Stage is presenting the musical, “Grease.” It features a cast and crew of more than 80 students from middle and high schools across the county, including Westfield, Centreville, Chantilly and Fairfax high schools.

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Fairfax City: Mayor Pledges Smart Growth, Greater Transparency

Mayor, City Council, School Board members sworn in.

Three Generations of Fairfax High School Grads

When Claire Higginbotham graduated June 15 from Fairfax High, she became the third generation in her family to graduate from that school.

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Fairfax: Giving Thanks for One More Miracle

Anonymous couple pays off the Lamb Center’s mortgage.

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The Lamb Center Celebrates Its New Fairfax Home

It took hard work, hope, planning, fundraising, faith and dedication; but at long last, the Lamb Center is in its new home.

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Fairfax City: Celebrating Half a Century of July 4 Festivities

Fairfax Fourth of July features parade, music, superheroes and fireworks.

Fairfax: Uniting for a Good Cause

Community comes together to pack meals for hungry, local children.

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Fairfax: ‘Find Your Own Meaning’

More than 600 students graduate from Fairfax High.

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Fairfax City: Van Dyck Park’s field is named in honor of Armistice Turtora.

‘What a Remarkable Record of Service’

Fairfax City: Greenfield Declared Winner in Historic Vote Recount

City Council race is finally decided.

Apartment Fire Kills Beloved Fairfax Resident

Community mourns Bill Patton, 74.

Fairfax City Council Race Ends up in Court

Judges order a recount to determine winners.

Fairfax’s First Fido Fest

City of Fairfax celebrates man's best friend

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Fairfax City: In Gratitude and Remembrance

Memorial Day ceremony at Fairfax City Hall honors America’s veterans.

Fairfax: Looking Forward to the Cappies Gala

Fairfax, Paul VI theater directors are proud of their students.

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Fairfax: Earth Day Artists Shine

The annual Earth Day Art Show was held April 27 in the City Hall atrium.

Fairfax: Cappie Nominations are Announced

Fairfax High gets 18 and Paul VI, 4.

The 2915-2016 Cappie nominations for high school theater were released Monday, with Fairfax High receiving 18 nods and Paul VI High, 4.

Fairfax: Preparing for City’s Aging Population

The need for senior housing is becoming a consideration.

Like cities and towns everywhere, the City of Fairfax has a growing percentage of older residents.

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Fairfax City: Silverthorne Re-elected; Changes on Council

Stehle is in; Greenfield is out – maybe.

It was a night of high drama and raw emotion as Scott Silverthorne held off a challenger to win re-election to his third term as City of Fairfax mayor.

Fairfax: City Council Adopts FY 2017 Budget

Real estate tax rate rises just a penny.

When Fairfax City Manager Bob Sisson presented his proposed FY 2017 budget for the City, in February, he recommended raising the real estate tax by 2.7 cents, to $1.0815 per $100 assessed valuation.

Fairfax High Presents ‘The Wedding Singer.’

Songs, dances, humor and a love story

Featuring a cast and crew of 63, Fairfax High presents the romantic comedy, “The Wedding Singer,” in the school theater. Based on the movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, it’s about wedding singer Robbie Hart, whose bride left him at the altar, and his new love, Julia, who’s engaged to someone else.

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Derby-Q is May 7 in the City of Fairfax

Barbecue, blues music, bourbon and beer – it’s all part of the City of Fairfax’s annual Derby-Q festival. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 7, from 2-7 p.m. in Old Town Square, at the corner of University Drive and North Street in downtown Fairfax.

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Fairfax Civil War Day Is this Saturday

A significant chapter in American history will come to life this Saturday, April 30, during the 16th annual Fairfax Civil War Day. It is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Historic Blenheim, 3610 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax.

Mayor Scott Silverthorne Running for Re-election.

‘My Experience Qualifies Me as the Best Candidate’

Having served 18 consecutive years on the Fairfax City Council and now completing his fourth year as mayor, Scott Silverthorne definitely has a handle on the city and its issues.

Fairfax: Meet the Candidates for City Council in May 3 Election

Meet the Candidates for City Council in May 3 Election.

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Tom Ammazzalorso is the Challenger for Mayor

'Not afraid to go against the grain’

Tom Ammazzalorso has lived in the City of Fairfax for almost 20 years and was the past chairman of the City’s Republican Committee.