"bonnie schipper"

Bonsai Show Coming Up at Garden Center

Learn about, see and vote for favorite trees.

The Northern Virginia Bonsai Society will hold its Spring Show this weekend at the Merrifield Garden Center. It’s at 12101 Lee Hwy. in Fairfax and the free show runs Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, April 13, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

‘Feed Me, Seymour,’ Says the Plant

Westfield High presents “Little Shop of Horrors.”

A musical about a man-eating plant is Westfield High’s Cappies show for 2014. The curtain rises on “Little Shop of Horrors” May 2-3 and May 9-10 at 7:30 p.m. and May 4 at 2 p.m.

‘A Leader Innovates, Develops, Inspires’

Challenger John Norce wants to be Fairfax’s mayor.

Born in New York, John Norce has only lived in Fairfax since 2002 and has never before run for political office. But he wants to become the City’s next mayor and believes he’s the best person for the job. “I enjoy and embrace leadership opportunities,” he said. “I was president of a local insurance association, am involved with Make-A-Wish and have coached youth sports for 27 years.” Norce came to Virginia in 1984, graduating from the University of Richmond in 1988 with a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. He now owns an insurance general agency in Fairfax.

Roundups: Chantilly/Centreville — Jan. 22, 2014

News briefs and community notes.

‘Our Homes Should Be Our Havens’

Resident beseeches Town Council to revise the noise ordinance.

Imagine living in a place so noisy that children have a hard time sleeping. Melanie Meren doesn’t have to – that’s her reality. She lives in the Town of Vienna, but close to a construction site. And last Monday, Feb. 3, she shared her concerns with the Vienna Town Council. She then asked the Council to re-examine and revise the town’s noise ordinance to decrease the allowable hours of home construction so existing residents can have some peace and quiet. “The noise ordinance doesn’t protect us as residents,” said Meren. “It’s completely biased in the builders’ favor.”

Westfield ESOL Student Thrives

Juan Castro receives School Board’s Character Award.

When Juan Castro came to the U.S. from El Salvador, six years ago, he only spoke a few words of English and was a stranger in a strange place. But he adapted well, learned quickly and worked hard at school and in his community.

‘Words … More Hurtful Than Fists’

Author discusses bullying with seventh-graders.

Ben Mikaelsen lives in Montana. But before the school year ended, he came all the way to Rocky Run Middle School to share with the seventh-graders his firsthand knowledge about bullying.

Packaging Food for Stop Hunger Now

Churches, community unite to feed hungry children.

When members of a community join together for a common purpose, there’s virtually no limit to what they can accomplish. And when residents from throughout Vienna and Oakton gathered to package meals for the world’s hungriest people, they definitely made an impact.

Having Fun, Raising Money

Life Time holding Zumba-Latin Fusion dance class for MDA.

Peter Callas is living a happy and productive life, both personally and professionally. But it wouldn’t have been possible without his own determination, the love of his family and support from the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

‘Luck, Be a Lady Tonight’

Paul VI presents ‘Guys and Dolls.’

Featuring a cast and crew of 90, Paul VI High presents one of Broadway’s most popular musicals ever, "Guys and Dolls." The school’s Cappies show will burst upon the stage Friday-Saturday, April 11-12, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $13, adults; $8, students and senior citizens, at www.PaulVI.net, and $15 and $10, respectively, at the door. "The actors are creative and enthusiastic, and they really wanted to do ‘Guys and Dolls,’" said Director Katherine Miller. "They knew the songs were terrific, and this show has lots of roles for boys – and I’ve got lots of male actors this year. I’ve also got tremendous singers, comic actors and physical actors, all dedicated to this show."

Spotlight Shines on Three Local Schools

Westfield receives 20 Cappie nominations.

The Cappie nominations for outstanding high-school theater were just announced and, all together, Centreville, Chantilly and Westfield received 30 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.

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.

Roundups for May 30

Making False Report Charged City of Fairfax police have charged a 27-year-old Centreville woman with making a false police report regarding a robbery and assault.

Readying for Relay for Life

Chantilly event raises money for American Cancer Society.

Bill Hamm was 10,500 feet up, elk hunting in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in 2006, when he discovered a lump on his throat. He’d thought he was healthy; but the lump was a swollen lymph node and, six months later, he was diagnosed with stage IV throat cancer.

‘In Difficult Economic Times’

Supervisors, School Board are in annual, budget tug-of-war.

It’s a battle each year between the school system’s needs and the county’s ability to address them.

Westfield Summer Stage Presents Hit Musical

New show is ‘How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.’

Featuring a cast and crew of 85, the musical, “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying,” is ready to burst upon the stage. A production of Westfield Summer Stage, all performances are at Westfield High. The curtain rises Friday-Saturday, July 18-19 and July 25-26, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, July 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance; $15, at the door. Seating is reserved; buy tickets at www.westfieldtheatreboosters.com.