THE CAMERON STATION BLOG

West End Wine & Arts Festival This Weekend in Cameron Station

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 19:52:00 +0000

The Hadeed Carpet Alexandria West End Art and Wine Festival will be held in Cameron Station and Ben Brenman Park this weekend, October 8-9, 2011. It kicks off with an official ceremony held at the Gazebo on Cameron Station Blvd., where the mayor of Alexandria will recognize local businesses and others sponsorting the event, as well as Festival planners and its Cameron Station host. A check will be presented to Capital Caring, the Alexandria charity chosen to be a beneficiary of this inaugural festival.

Visitors will enjoy a number of festival activity areas:

90 juried artists from all facets of art, located in Cameron Station, along with 25 quality handcrafters, in adjacent Ben Brenman Park
15 local restaurants representing an ethnic “Taste of the West End”
100 sponsor booths and displays, located in Ben Brenman Park
three stage of live entertainment featuring popular local artists
a Wine Garden, located in the gazebo area of Ben Brenman Park

For more information visit: http://www.westendartandwinefestival.com/

Cafe Pizzaiolo to Take Over Food Matters Space in Cameron Station

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:16:00 +0000

We've been dormant here for a while at The Cameron Station Blog - not that there has been a lack of news, but life has just been busy. But, we are back and happy to report what we think is great news for Cameron Station: Cafe Pizzaiolo has applied for a Virginia ABC for Wine & Beer at the former Food Matters space. We learned of the news ourselves from Alexandria Economic Development's Twitter feed: @AlexandriaIdeal. As most already known Food Matters closed at the end of June, 2011. The 5,000+ sq. ft. restaurant has been vacant while the landlord worked to find another operator. Representatives of The Rappaport Cos., the listing broker for the landlord, have recently indicated that a new operator had been found and an agreement had been reached but would not disclose the restaurant.

As far as we know the new restaurant operator has not been publicly announced perhaps because a lease is not yet ratified, but it seems the restaurant group feels confident enough to start getting their permits in order. Cafe Pizzaiolo (http://www.cafepizzaiolo.com/) currently has locations in Fairlington & Crystal City.

What do you think of Cafe Pizzaiolo as the new neighborhood restaurant in Cameron Station?

New Lighted Turf Fields at Ben Brenman Park - Open for Play Dec. 7th at 5pm

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 19:12:00 +0000

If you have driving through Ben Brenman Park in the last couple months you have probably noticed ongoing construction work. The large field and the smaller baseball field have had artificial turf (the new kind that is more like grass) and lights installed.

We are happy to see the city make this investment as it seems to have so many benefits: 1) ability to play in foul weather 2) ability to play at night 3) reduced maintenance costs (we assume) and 4) no geese grazing and leaving behind landmines for kids to have to play on (a personal pet peeve and probably a subject for a different post) .

Playing on real grass is great, but anyone that has seen the condition of a grass field after it is used in wet conditions knows that it is nearly impossible to maintain on a year round basis. Having gone to a high school with one grass field for the entire school, I know how crummy it is to get control of the field in the spring after the football team has had it in the fall. There is no grass left and the new grass doesn't come in until you are finishing the spring semester.

One question we have for the city park staff is why field appears permanently lined for soccer? It seems the field would be in high demand almost year round given the limited amount of lighted field space in the city. Lacrosse, Field Hockey, etc. could all use this field. I hope they don't line the field permanently for multiple sports in different colors though. That just makes it confusing to players and fans alike. Hopefully the lines are not permanent and can change as the sport of the season changes. It also looks like there is no room for stands for spectators, but all in all we think this is a tremendous upgrade for the neighborhood!

You are invited to come see it for yourself on Tuesday December 7th from 5pm - 8pm.

Toka Grand Opening

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:43:00 +0000

Toka Salon & Day Spa Opens in Alexandria, VA

Toka Salon & Day Spa is proud to announce the opening of their new location in Cameron Station, Alexandria, VA. The premiere salon and day spa, known for their celebrity and political clientele, has existing locations in Georgetown and Penn Quarter, Washington, DC, and on Madison Avenue, upper east side, New York.

"We view expansion into the Alexandria, VA market as an important landmark of our company's growth," said Toka Salon & Day Spa founder and stylemaster Nuri Yurt. "We are proud to demonstrate our confidence in the area's economy, and to add, even if in a small way, much-needed jobs at this juncture. We look forward to serving residents with our talented team, and to providing a friendly and professional customer service experience that sets us apart from the competition."

Toka will hold a grand opening celebration on November 18, from 11:00

am - 7:30 pm. Alexandria Mayor William Euille will preside over a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5:30 pm.

Like their three other locations, Toka Salon & Day Spa at Cameron Station offers clients a wide range of salon and spa services, including their famed blowouts, skin-rejuvenating facials and treatments, therapeutic massages, and manicures and pedicures.

TOKA, Cameron Station, is open 7 days a week. Ample parking is available. For an appointment, please call 703 370.5133.

The event on November 18 will feature:

Face Painting from 11:00am-12:30pm
30% off Gift Certificates from 2:00pm-5:00pm
Free scalp analysis and treatment 2:00pm-5:00pm
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor William Euille at 5:30pm
Performance by the Wizards Girls at 6:00pm

*Gift bags, door prizes and refreshments available all day!

How to Properly Exit the Cameron Station Traffic Circle

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:57:00 +0000

Perhaps a year ago additional signage was installed on the outside median strip of the Cameron Station traffic circle explaining that cars driving on the inside / left lane can not turn right and exit the circle. Prior to the signage I routinely would have to look out for the aggressive drivers that I guess were unsatisfied with how I was driving through the circle. It typically goes something like this:

I turn right into the neighborhood from Duke Street onto Cameron Station Blvd. after battling traffic for 45 minutes from DC to Alexandria (a commute that I know is actually not that bad). I prefer to drive the speed limit (25 mph) on Cameron Station Blvd. because it is difficult to stop if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk if you are driving any faster. Often someone behind me thinks I'm driving too slow so they get in the left lane to pass me. They usually pass through the crosswalks with no regard for pedestrians. Even though they pass me, we still end up at the main traffic circle at the same. I am then in the right lane and they are in the left and we are both turning right into the circle at the same time. We have to drive more carefully and slowly because of this, which is ironic since the person that passed me I presume is trying to shave every second off their drive home. Both cars are then driving around the circle, neck and neck so to speak. I will be turning right onto Cameron Station Blvd. and then making an immediate left onto Kilburn St (by the pool) about 30 yards after the circle to get to my house. Here's where everything goes wrong: the car next to me on the inside lane also turns right! Now, if you are reading this and are unsure why this is a problem just close your eyes for a second and think about it...Anything? OK. Here's the problem: What if I was not turning right onto Cameron Station Blvd.!?!?! What if I was continuing to drive around the circle to turn right onto Brenman Park Drive (the retail street)!?!?! If is was continuing around the circle then BAM! A nice little accident that is completely avoidable.

When this new signage was added explaining how to drive in the circle I noticed these incidents decrease substantially for me personally. It did make me chuckle though when I saw the placement of the signage. It is on the right / outside of the circle. Wouldn't it make more sense for it to be on the left / inside of the circle? After all, that is where the driver who can do something wrong is driving. The driver in the right lane can turn right or go straight. They know that. It's the driver on the left/inside lane that needs to see the sign.

Anyway, I write this post because this same situation happened to me again last night after things had been going so well. I was driving in the right lane on Cameron Station Blvd. coming from Duke Street and slowed down when I noticed a pedestrian in the crosswalk on the right. The pedestrian decided to let me pass anyway, but the fact that I was slowing down irked the driver behind me and they passed me on the left (good thing the pedestrian didn't cross the street). We stopped at the circle at the same time and the driver exits the circle back onto Cameron Station Blvd. from the left lane. I honk because I will need to make an immediate left onto Kilburn St. and they look at me like I'm crazy.

So, if you are a driver that didn't understand why you can't turn right from the inside lane I hope this clears things up. And, please don't argue that you saw a turn signal of the driver on the outside lane so you knew it would be safe to turn right. There are two flaws with that: 1) don't put so much trust into turn signals. Maybe the driver has left the signal on from the previous turn or what if they change their mind? 2) In my case I am going to proceed immediately to the left lane to turn left. There should be no reason I can't do this because I am the first and (theoretically) only driver turning right out of the circle.

March/April 2010 Compass Newsletter Now Available

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:54:00 +0000

Here is a link to the electronic version of the March/April 2010 Compass Newsletter:

http://www.cameronstation.org/attachments/127_The_Compass_march-april_2010.pdf

Cameron Station Resident & Diplomat Killed in Haitian Earthquake

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:22:00 +0000

It has been a while since we since posted something here on the blog and unfortunately we are back with sad news. According to NBC Washington and Cameron Station neighbors, fellow resident Victoria J. DeLong was killed in Haiti when the earthquake caused her home there to collapse. Victoria was a cultural affairs officer for the State Department stationed in Haiti. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family in this difficult time.

--

Virginia Woman Killed in Haitian Earthquake

Second Team of Rescuers from DC Area Headed to Haiti

By TONYA LAFLEUR and CRAIG MELVIN

Updated 6:38 AM EST, Fri, Jan 15, 2010

The first American reported to be killed after the earthquake in Haiti had owned a condo in Alexandria, Va., for the past nine years. Victoria J. DeLong, 57, died on Tuesday after her home in Haiti collapsed.

The cultural affairs officer had been stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince, Haiti since February. DeLong spent 37 years as a diplomat for the State Department.

"In one of the most challenging environments in the world, she dedicated herself to educational and cultural exchange between the people of Haiti and the people of the United States," said P.J. Crowley, of the State Department.

Support the Cameron Station Community Manager in Breast Cancer Fundraiser

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:50:00 +0000

We've been pretty quiet here at the blog, but recently we were notified of our community manager's effort to raise funds to research a cure for breast cancer. To learn more about the effort and make a donation CLICK HERE.

Alexandria Police Chief Arrested for Drunk Driving

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:13:00 +0000

Umm....that's not good at all....

-------

Alexandria Police Chief Arrested for Drunk Driving

By Allison Klein

Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 26, 2009; 11:32 AM

Alexandria Police Chief David P. Baker was arrested Saturday night for drunken driving after he was involved in a collision in Arlington County while driving an unmarked city vehicle, authorities said.

Baker allegedly had a blood alcohol level of .19 and was placed on paid administrative leave by City Manager James K. Hartmann. Alexandria Executive Deputy Police Chief Earl Cook has been named acting chief, according to city officials.

The accident occurred at about 11 p.m. near the intersection of I-66 and North Fairfax Drive in Arlington. Arlington Detective Crystal Nosal, a spokeswoman, said the accident o as Baker, driving his city-issued Ford Explorer, tried to merge next onto Route 66. Nosal said Baker is listed as the at-fault driver on the accident report.

Nosal would not identify the other driver other than to say she is a woman whose injuries included "whiplash, neck or back pain." Injuries were not life threatening, Nosul said, though the woman was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

Strike Out Multiple Sclerosis on Monday at Food Matters!

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:46:00 +0000

There is a great fundraiser this coming Monday night, 4/20/2009, at Food Matters to help fund research for a cure to this disease. $75 gets you a ticket to the cocktail party at Food Matters restaurant including heavy hors d'oeuvres with a cash bar. A silent auction will run from 6:30 to 9:30 with a live auction beginning at 8:30. There will be 75+ items to bid on including Game 5 playoff tickets to the Washington Capitals and a 2-3 beach getaway in Cape May!

Come help support a friend and neighbor in Cameron Station in their battle w/ MS!

For more information and to purchase a ticket click the link below!

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=2347561&fr_id=9693&pg=personal

Kate's blog:

http://strikeoutmswithkate.blogspot.com/

Market Showing Optimism for Landmark Mall Owner

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 11:51:00 +0000

Sorry for the quiet blog as of late...but here's some news: The Washington Post has an article this morning about General Growth Properties, the owner of Landmark Mall and other malls around the country that has been on the brink of bankruptcy. Apparently shares of the stock have been up significantly in the last couple days, but there is no real reason for the optimism other than company's creditors perhaps realizing that forcing a bankruptcy wouldn't do them any good. Because it is so difficult to get a loan right now, if the banks were to force a bankruptcy to in turn sell the assets to get some of their money back they would probably take a beating because there is no one to buy them. So, it seems the market is starting to think this and figures General Growth Properties will be sticking around.

Click here for the article "Mall Developer's Shares Soar, but Its Troubles Continue"

Landmark Mall Owner Asking Lenders for More Time to Pay

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:06:00 +0000

It's been a while since we've posted (sorry about that) and there are a bunch of little events to post about like the town hall meeting with a City Council Member this Thursday at the Cameron Club. The topic is property taxes and the city's budget. In the mean time we came across this blog post from commercial real estate site GlobeSt.com regarding General Growth Properties. The troubled mall owner is the owner of Landmark Mall and it has been a big question for the city whether or not they will go down during this recession and a new owner will come in to redevelop the under performing property. However, seems they continue to limp along and I never hear about them considering the sale of Landmark to satisfy any debts. I guess they feel Landmark has real potential.

Here's the article (also online here):

General Growth Tries to Buy More Time

General Growth Properties is asking its lenders for until the end of the year to refinance debt, so it can avoid filing for bankruptcy.

The mall owner has $1.18 billion in past-due debt and $4.09 billion that can be accelerated by lenders. It is giving lenders until March 16 to respond.

The good news (we think) is that General Growth is getting offers for at least a few of its 200 malls. A Bloomberg report says bidders have offered $400 million for Faneuil Hall in Boston, Harborplace & the Gallery in Baltimore and South Street Seaport in New York City. Apparently, a “private buyer” is interested.

WBJ Article on Landmark Mall's Status & Future

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:06:00 +0000

Recently the Washington Business Journal had an article about the future of Landmark Mall. Below is the article in its entirety, although a subscription is required hopefully the WBJ won't mind... Also of note is the mixed-use apartment & retail project approved at Pickett & Van Dorn Streets, Landmark Gateway - hopefully that will get going in 2009. At a Cameron Station Civic Association meeting about 1 year ago the developers of the project mentioned how they expected they would be under construction at that time. Goes to show you how long it take Alexandria's bureaucracy to work sometimes.

---
Alexandria pitches new plan for Landmark Mall
By Mara Lee | Washington Business Journal

Outside, there is a jumble of elevated ramps and confusing signs. Inside Alexandria’s Landmark Mall, Macy’s is pretty busy for a weekday lunch hour. A man strides toward the exit, saying angrily, “I’m going to Ballston.” The woman trailing behind protests, “These are nice!”

That is about as good as it gets at the mall. In another section, empty display windows are blocked with curtains next to the dollar store and the Lane Bryant. The Lord & Taylor has walls, tables and cases bare of merchandise.

Five years ago, owner General Growth Properties Inc. proposed tearing down the mall, built in 1965, and replacing it with a town center. But massive mergers — involving General Growth and Rouse Co., Macy’s and Hecht’s, and Sears and Kmart — slowed the progress.

Now reviving Landmark Mall and the adjoining Van Dorn area is the No. 1 economic development priority for Alexandria. Later this month, the City Council will consider a new land use plan covering the area from the mall to the Van Dorn Metro station.

There is reason for the urgency. The assessment for the entire mall property, now $80 million, is half what it was 15 years ago. The sales tax the city receives from the property declined by 22 percent from 2003 to 2007. Then came the big 2008 retail slump.

Landmark Mall is no longer Alexandria’s top retail revenue source. The big-box center at Potomac Yard has eclipsed it.

The city has other development priorities, such as the waterfront and a new town center and townhomes at Potomac Yard. But Stephanie Landrum, senior vice president of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, said there is a reason Landmark surpasses those: “They are not an eyesore.”

However, there are major obstacles to reviving that area, including General Growth’s financial woes and the credit crunch.

Chicago-based General Growth, which owns most of the mall’s 51 acres, but not the Macy’s and Sears buildings, is having trouble carrying the debt load from its multibillion-dollar purchase of Columbia, Md.-based Rouse in 2004.

General Growth has $27 billion in total debt, and its stock price has fallen 98 percent from nine months ago. The company did not return a call for comment.

Alexandria officials recognize that Landmark’s current owner has no capital to redevelop now, and there is not much they can do on their own. But there is a possibility the mall might be sold to avoid bankruptcy or through foreclosure, and city officials hope a new owner will bring improvements.

The new area plan contains a vastly different vision for Landmark and the nearby strip malls, big-box stores and warehouses.

City planners have asked the council to dramatically boost density in the area. The plan calls for office high-rises of 16 to 25 stories with ground-level retail where the mall now sits.

The Landmark/Van Dorn Corridor Plan guides general land use, setting densities and retail, office and residential mixes.

At the mall site, there could be luxury apartments or condominiums, but 70 percent of the new buildings should be offices and retail, according to the plan.

After 25 percent of the 240 acres along Van Dorn Street between the Metro station and Landmark Mall have been redeveloped, the city would kick in $100 million for dedicated bus lanes or light rail. Planners also want to build two bridges, one to cross 10 lanes of traffic between high-rises at Duke and Van Dorn streets; another to cross railroad tracks near the Metro station, making a shorter walk for commuters who live at the corridor’s south end.

The council vote is expected Feb. 21. The planning board unanimously approved the plan earlier this month.

Mike McGuire, managing member of Green City Development in Bethesda, hopes to provide a home to hundreds of those commuters in a new development called Landmark Gateway.

His company has purchased 6 acres at South Van Dorn and South Pickett streets with plans to replace a strip mall and warehouses with three luxury apartment buildings over first-floor retail and parking garages.

The project’s first two buildings could go up as soon as this fall. McGuire still needs to get construction financing but said he is working with a lender. The estimated cost for the 435-unit project, including the land purchase, is $100 million.

Landmark Gateway would have the first high-rent apartments in the area, and McGuire would like to build more. The company also owns an 8-acre parcel.

“We were really intrigued with the city’s plans for the redeveloped area,” he said.

Landmark Gateway should stimulate more redevelopment, said Karl Moritz, the city’s deputy director for long-range planning. “Opportunities like this inside the Beltway are rare.”

Alexandria officials are worried that a Landmark Mall competitor, Springfield Mall, just five miles east, could go forward with its own town center redevelopment plans first. The owner, New York-based Vornado, is seeking approvals for a makeover, but its plans, too, have been slowed by the economy.

City officials say they are confident their new area plan will lead to more than just another town center.

Moritz said neighbors have asked, “How do we know this won’t be the obsolete land use pattern of the future?”

His answer: “We’re getting back to the way cities have always been. This is sustainable from an economic point of view, a quality of life point of view.”

Main Street Market to Offer Espresso/Cappuccino

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:20:00 +0000

We've gotten word that the Main Street Market is repairing their espresso & cappuccino machine to offer the neighborhood's discerning coffee drinkers more options now that Cameron Perks in closed. Look for the new coffee offerings in the coming weeks.

Super Bowl Menu, New Hours at Food Matters

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station) — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 17:08:00 +0000

Food Matters is offering some special Super Bowl menu additions today from noon until close.

They include:Quaker State Wings
Pittsburgh Cold Cut Sandwich Topped with Fries and Coleslaw
Kielbasa and Cabbage
Tom's "Banana Split"
Southwestern Wings with Chipotle and Lime
Chicken Enchiladas
Black Bean Nachos

We're also said to report that Food Matters will be closing for lunch during the week due to the slow economy. The restaurant's new hours are:

Tue-Thursday 5:00 p.m. -10:00 p.m
Friday 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Saturday 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Update: Cameron Station Shooting

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:43:00 +0000

Community Management has sent the following update as of 4:45 pm:

Please be advised that the Duke Street entrance of Cameron Station remains closed and the area between Cameron Station Boulevard and Somervelle Street is still barricaded from Gardner Drive to John Ticer Drive. Residents that live in the barricaded are not being permitted access to their homes at this time. Samuel Tucker Elementary School will be used as the official Reunification Point for residents within the barricaded area.

The shuttle bus will be running on the normal schedule; however the Cameron Station traffic circle is blocked so the last shuttle bus stop will be at Cameron Station Boulevard and Kilburn Street (next to the Club). The bus will turn around at Kilburn Street.

Trash pick-up in the community was suspended due to the emergency situation. The majority of the community was serviced; however, we will try to have the remaining trash picked up as soon as possible.

The Pilates, kickboxing and self defense classes scheduled this evening are cancelled. The Residence at Cameron Station Condominium Board meeting scheduled for this evening will be held at 400 Cameron Station Boulevard.

Video Update: Shooting at 5000 Block of Waple Lane, Man Barricaded Inside Home

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 20:05:00 +0000

OK, for some reason I can't get the video to embed, but click here

Shooting in Cameron Station

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Community Management just sent the following eblast:

Please be advised that there was a shooting this morning in Cameron Station near Waple Lane. The area between Cameron Station Boulevard and Somervelle Street is barricaded from Gardner Drive to John Ticer Drive. The Alexandria Police Department asks that residents inside the barricaded area stay in their homes. The Duke Street entrance is also blocked to traffic.

The City of Alexandria has asked Management to advise residents that if they need to leave due to an emergency, please call 911. Additionally, if you are challenged by a police officer please follow their instructions. Management will send out an email blast once any additional information is received.

Does anyone have any additional information? If so, please comment on this post.

January / February Cameron Station Compass Available

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:01:00 +0000

The January / February edition of the Compass is now available. Click Here to download your own copy in PDF. And, if you haven't already, sign up for an electronic version so the association can cut costs and save the environment! Just send an email with your name, address, and the email address where you would like to receive the compass to ecopyrequest@cameronstation.org.

Stems No Longer Rooted in Cameron Station

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 19:53:00 +0000

Some sad news for Cameron Station: Stems the flower shop has closed. The store will be having a 25% - 75% liquidation sale January 5th to 10th. As the sign on the store says, "Everything must go!". Items available include furniture, candles, baskets, vases, silk flowers, dried flowers, and other accessories.

So, who's going to take the place of Stems? Or the condominium sales office?? Or the extra space in the coffee shop??? What a crummy time for retailers. Hopefully things will pick up in 2009 and the other retailers can survive until more prosperous times.

Landmark Mall Owner General Growth Properties Gets Loan Extension

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:58:00 +0000

GlobeSt.com, a commercial real estate news site, has reported that General Growth Properties, owner of Landmark Mall, has gotten an extension on a big loan. Without the extension the company would have been forced to file for bankruptcy protection. Hate to say it, but I'm starting to think it might be best for Alexandria if the company would go down and be forced to sell Landmark Mall. Then someone else who has the money would come in and redevelop this obviously under utilized real estate for the betterment of us. In somewhat related news it was reported today that Euro Hypo, a German bank whose US division has made loans to General Growth, had their Munich offices raided today by police and German Prosecuters. A bunch of the executives and board members homes were also raided. Wow. This is like something out of a movie.

Here's the GlobeSt.com article:

CHICAGO-General Growth Properties has gained a little breathing room. The REIT was given an extension by seven lenders on its $900-million loan on two Las Vegas malls, Fashion Show and Palazzo, until Feb. 12.

The news follows the closing of $896 million in loans last Friday on other properties, but there was some speculation that Citigroup would not allow an extension, also due last Friday, on the two Vegas malls after that deadline came and went. Chapter 11 bankruptcy was said to be the next step had the refinancing not taken place.

In a separate deal, lenders for a 2006 credit agreement extended the company’s deadline until Jan. 30.

General Growth now has nearly two months to sell some assets to pay off the $900 million, which is still a challenge in this tough economy. Executives have said they are looking to sell Fashion Show, Palazzo and its other Vegas Strip property, the Grand Canal Shoppes.

Free Chocolate Samples from Michel Cluizel at Cameron Perks

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 01:26:00 +0000

Cameron Perks, our neighborhood coffee shop owned and operated by two Cameron Station residents, is hosting a special open house this Sunday at 3:00 pm. Cameron Perks invites you to sample new chocolates from Michel Cluizel, a French chocolatier. Michel Cluizel has stores in New York, Paris, London, and of course, Riyad. Free desserts and chocolates will be served and hot chocolate and special chocolate martinis will be available! All are welcome, feel free to bring family and friends. What better warm up for Sunday evenings' Redskins - Ravens game!?!?

What: Chocolate Festival: A Winter Open House
When: Sunday, December 7th, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Christmas Gifts at Cameron Station Valet Cleaners

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:03:00 +0000

A neighbor dropped us a line that the neighborhood dry cleaners are offering some personalized, hand made gifts for the holidays. Christmas stockings and Childrens fabric books for kids are available and can be personalize. Stockings can be made from material provided by the customer if preferred. Childrens books available include The Night Before Christmas, a Merry Christmas Songbook, and other educational books. Samples are available in the store.

You can reach the cleaners by phone at 703.868.5908 or email chung@brameyer.net if interested.

Holiday Tastings and New Year's Dinner at Food Matters

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:16:00 +0000

Food Matters, Cameron Station's neighborhood restaurant, sent out an email recently with info on their various activities this holiday season. From sparkling wine tastings, to a $75 four course meal on New Year's Eve, to a brunch in your pajamas on New Year's Day, there is a lot going on during the next month. They will also be opening up the dining area for dancing on New Year's Eve after the 2 four course seatings (one at 6pm and one at 8pm) are complete. This is a great option if you want to stay local, help out a neighborhood business, and avoid drinking and driving.

Here's a look at the New Year's Eve four course menu:

New Year's Eve 2008

A Celebratory Glass of Domaine de Martinolles, Crémant de Limoux
Vintage 2005

First Course
Salad of Spinach and Grapefruit with Avocado Toast and Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
or
Curried Carrot Soup with Jasmine Rice
or
Gruyere and Country Ham Croquettes

Second Course
Gulf Shrimp Risotto with Lemon and Dill
or
Chicken and Vegetable Terrine with Roasted Potato and Red Wine Vinaigrette
or
Hand Made Fettucine with Swiss Chard, Raisins and Pine Nuts

Third Course
Roasted Fish with Cauliflower Puree, Spinach and Domestic Caviar Butter Sauce
or
Butternut Squash and Shiitake Mushroom Risotto
or
Seared Duck Breast with Potato and Leek Hash and Sweet and Sour Honey Sauce

Fourth Course
Pumpkin Spice Tart with Caramel and Vanilla Sauce
or
Fried Apple Dumplings with Cider Glaze and Whipped Crème Fraiche

$75 per person
An 18% gratuity will be added to every check.
Please, no substitutions.

*This Is How Things Will Work On New Year's Eve
There will be two seatings: 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
You must call 703-461-3663 to make a reservation.
A credit card is required to make your reservation and it will be charged if you do not show up or cancel within 24 hours of your reservation. This menu is also available at the bar on a first-come, first served basis until 9:30 p.m.

Hope for Landmark Mall Redevelopment?

noreply@blogger.com (Cameron Station Resident) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 02:19:00 +0000

Just saw this article about General Growth, the owner of Landmark Mall and Tysons II, receiving a big investment from a hedge fund. The stock price more than doubled the day the news was announced...to a full $1. The stock price is still down 98% this year for the struggling company that is apparently on the brink of bankruptcy. Really a bummer that the economy took such a big hit, and consequently the owner of Landmark Mall did too, before any shovels could get in the ground at Landmark. Here's a blurb and link to an article from Bloomberg:

General Growth Jumps After Pershing Square Buys Stake

By Daniel Taub and Peter Woodifield

Nov. 25 (Bloomberg) -- General Growth Properties Inc., the shopping-mall owner that said this month it may file for bankruptcy, jumped by more than a third after William Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management LP, a hedge-fund manager, bought a 20 percent interest through shares and swaps.

General Growth, whose shares more than doubled yesterday, rose 36 cents to $1.36 today in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Pershing Square acquired 20.1 million shares, or 7.5 percent, of the Chicago-based real estate investment trust for $9.3 million between Nov. 13 and Nov. 17, according to a filing made today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The shares are now worth $27.3 million.

General Growth said five days ago it hired law firm Sidley Austin as it seeks to refinance debt. In a Nov. 10 filing, the company said its “potential inability to address our 2008 or 2009 debt maturities in a satisfactory fashion raises substantial doubts as to our ability to continue as a going concern.” The company said at the time it had $958 million in debt due by Dec. 1, and $3.07 billion due next year.

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