Eden Center

Truck Pulls Down Power Lines, Causes Outage in Seven Corners

By ARLnow.com
1/6

Power is out in parts of Seven Corners after a truck brought down power lines behind the Eden Center in Falls Church.

The incident happened around 2:30 p.m. in the rear of the shopping center. Two utility poles were snapped in half as a result of the collision.

At one point, nearly 2,500 Dominion customers were without power in the area, including in parts of Arlington County. As of 3:30 p.m. Dominion was no longer reporting any outages in Arlington.

The Arlington County Fire Department responded to the scene for sparking power lines and a spill of mineral oil from the transformers. ACFD has since turned over the scene to Dominion, which will be cleaning up the spill, according to scanner traffic.

Some traffic signals in Seven Corners may be affected by the outages, according to Fairfax County Police.

Pentagon City Mall, Eden Center to Celebrate Lunar New Year

By Andrew Ramonas

Eden Center Lunar New Year (Image via Eden Center)

Lion dances and other Lunar New Year customs are slated to take center stage at Eden Center and the Pentagon City mall this weekend as Northern Virginians mark the Year of the Monkey.

The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City (1100 S. Hayes Street) and Eden Center (6751 Wilson Blvd in Falls Church) both are scheduled to host Lunar New Year celebrations Saturday. But only Eden Center plans to keep the party going on Sunday.

At Pentagon City, visitors can catch lion and dragon dances, along with interactive games, Asian-inspired fashion shows and live music, according to a news release from the mall. The party is set to run from noon to 6 p.m. on the ground level of the Nordstrom wing.

As for Eden Center, the Vietnamese shopping destination will have lion dances, face painting, balloon animals and a magician, a Facebook post says. The festivities are slated to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Image via Eden Center

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Radio antennas in South Arlington at sunset

Pedestrian Struck Near Eden Center — On Saturday around noon, a pedestrian was struck by an SUV in front of the Eden Center in Falls Church. The pedestrian became trapped under the SUV, prompting an Arlington County Fire Department technical rescue company to respond to the scene. [Twitter]

Power Outage at Pentagon City Mall — The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City closed two hours early Saturday night due to a power outage inside the mall. Police assisted in the evacuation of the mall, which was largely orderly but resulted in traffic jams at the exit to the parking lot due to non-working parking gates. [MyFoxDC, WUSA9]

Board Support Unlikely for Wilson School — The Wilson School in Rosslyn, which was built in 1910 but underwent significant changes in the 1950s, is unlikely to receive support for a historic designation from the Arlington School Board. Preservationists have been lobbying to save the school, but School Board members have expressed skepticism about whether the school actually is historic in its present state and whether it would be practical to preserve it. A vote is expected on Feb. 17. [InsideNova]

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf)

State Loan for Potomac Yard Metro — Virginia is providing a $50 million low-interest loan to Alexandria for construction of the future Potomac Yard Metro station. Previously, the Commonwealth offered Arlington up to $65 million for the now-cancelled Columbia Pike streetcar project. [Washington Post]

Hope Wants to Link Child Support, Gun Permits — Del. Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) has proposed legislation that would revoke concealed handgun permits for Virginia residents who fall more than 90 days or $5,000 behind on child support payments. [InsideNova]

Eden Center Damage Estimate — Damage to the Eden Center, caused by an explosion on Jan. 14, is estimated to be more than $1 million. The Falls Church fire marshal determined the explosion to be accidental, caused by “improper use of propane and oxygen.”

Arlington Offers Cash Bikeshare Memberships — To serve those without bank accounts, Arlington County is now offering county residents cash-only Capital Bikeshare memberships. Normally, memberships require a credit card, so that Bikeshare can charge $1,000 if the bike goes missing. [Arlington County, Streetsblog]

No News Coverage Today — In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, ARLnow.com will only be covering breaking news today. Our regular news coverage will resume tomorrow. See our list of county government closures for the holiday.

Flickr pool photo by Kevin Wolf

BREAKING: Three Hurt in Explosion, Fire at Eden Center

By ARLnow.com
1/11

(Updated at 4:10 p.m.) The Arlington County Fire Department is on the scene of a two-alarm fire at the Eden Center in Falls Church.

Three people were transported to the hospital after a reported explosion in the mall on the 6700 block of Wilson Blvd, according to ACFD spokeswoman Lt. Sarah Marchegiani. The injuries are described as non-life threatening.

Falls Church spokeswoman Susan Finarelli said initial inspections suggest that the explosion and fire is believed to be accidental.

Firefighters on the scene reported that the explosion might have originated in the utility closet of a jewelry shop. The windows of the Princess Diamonds store, in the Saigon East section of the shopping center, appear to have been blown out.

Building inspectors are being requested to investigate whether the explosion caused structural damage. Health inspectors are being called to the scene to evaluate a smoke-filled supermarket near the fire.

http://twitter.com/IAFF2800/status/555448871695175680

Eden Center Celebrates 30th Anniversary, Opening of Good Fortune Supermarket

1/3

The Eden Center celebrated its 30th anniversary last month — complete with dancing, music, and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Local dignitaries, community and business members, and customers joined the celebration. As locals know, Eden Center (6751 Wilson Boulevard) is a Vietnamese shopping center in Falls Church — just across the Arlington border — that offers an “authentic Vietnamese vacation without the jetlag.”

“The Eden Center first opened its doors in 1984 and today is recognized as a major cultural tourist attraction and the ultimate Vietnamese shopping experience. We open a new chapter today by celebrating our 30th Anniversary and the Grand Opening of our newest tenant, the Good Fortune Supermarket,” said Alan Frank, VP and General Counsel of The Eden Center.

The new Good Fortune Supermarket spans an impressive 44,000 square feet and is the largest international grocery store inside the Beltway. It is also the first that utilizes 100% LED lighting together with an energy efficient roof and HVAC. Expansive fresh seafood and produce displays are already attracting customers from Arlington, D.C., Alexandria and Fairfax County.

For local Washingtonians, we are lucky that an authentic Vietnamese experience is right in our backyard. The Eden Center is a cultural and economic home for Vietnamese-Americans and a unique cultural experience for all visitors. The face of Eden Center showcases architectural designs reminiscent of historic and modern day Saigon, including avenues named after famous Generals who served in the South Vietnamese Army. Experience the roots of the culture through the more than 115 Vietnamese restaurants, retailers, and service stores.

The cuisine offered at The Eden Center businesses is one that is most impressive; it attracts patrons near and far.  The Eden Center is the local home to the sought after dishes of phở and bánh mì. Eateries within the center have gained acclaim from popular shows such as Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations” and the Food Network.

The well-known restaurant, Rice Paper, was recently named one of Washingtonian Magazines “Best Restaurants”.  Eden Kitchen, and its famous “Pho Factory” brand of pho is one of the largest restaurants at Eden Center.

Salons abound!  From inexpensive haircuts to hair coloring to permanent make up, the 10 Eden Center salons will take good care of you at reasonable prices.

Jewelry has always been an important reason to visit Eden Center.  Fifteen stores provide a wide variety of diamonds, jewelry and gems.  Eden Center jewelers design and make jewelry on premises. Many of the jewelry stores have been at Eden Center since the 1980’s.  Check out the new stores and visit an old favorite!

Whether you are in the mood for some hot phở, sweet chè or bubble tea, visit Eden Center and experience an authentic Vietnamese vacation without the jetlag. For more information on shops and events, visit www.edencenter.com.

The preceding was a promoted post sponsored by the Eden Center.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Dawn over Barrett Elementary School (photo courtesy Larry Bowring)

County Seeks Fraud Hotline Vendor — Arlington County has issued a request for proposals for a new fraud hotline. The hotline is intended to provide “a safe and confidential process for employees to report ethical issues anonymously through a third-party vendor and to be assured that their concerns are heard and dealt with.” [InsideNova]

Eden Center Tenants Sue Landlord — Tenants at the Eden Center in Falls Church are suing the shopping center’s landlord, saying that the building is crumbling due to poor maintenance and nothing is being done about it. [Washington Post]

Kudos for Barcroft — The $3 million ballpark at Barcroft Park, which was paid for and is used by George Washington University, has been named the top college baseball facility in the A-10 conference and the 68th-best college ballpark in the nation. [GW Sports]

1812 Overture Concert Tomorrow — The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will be performing the famed 1812 Overture Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The concert will be held at Summerall Field and will feature cannon fire to accompany the classic Tchaikovsky composition. [Ode Street Tribune, U.S. Army Band]

JBMHH Firefighters Battle Arlington Blaze — Firefighters from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, who often are dispatched on calls in Arlington County as part of a mutual aid agreement, helped to extinguish a fire at a Columbia Pike apartment complex last week. [DVIDS]

Photo courtesy Larry Bowring

Two Dead After Eden Center Shooting

By ARLnow.com

(Updated at 5:40 a.m.) Falls Church police are investigating a shooting at the Eden Center.

We’re told the shooting happened around 10:00 p.m. According to Falls Church police spokeswoman Susan Finarelli, one male was shot and was pronounced dead on the scene. Another male died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Eden Center is located at 6751 Wilson Boulevard.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Arlington’s Biggest Redskins Fanatic — Charlie Clark has tracked down perhaps the biggest Redskins fan of them all. North Arlington resident Mary Holt, age 87, owns about “1,500 team knickknacks ranging from napkin holders to clocks to team photos to Redskins Wheaties cereal boxes.” The tchotchkes are displayed across “every inch of her ‘woman cave'” — where she watches the burgundy and gold every game day. [Falls Church News Press]

Lyon Village Park Ribbon Cutting — Residents and county officials will celebrate the completion of improvements to Lyon Village Park (1800 N. Highland Street) over the weekend. Park upgrades include new tennis and basketball courts, backboards and a living green picnic shelter canopy. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 11:00 Sunday morning.

Bricks Missing in Rosslyn — The Ode Street Tribune spots a number of missing brick pavers at a pedestrian crosswalk in Rosslyn. [Old Street Tribune]

Eden Center Controversy — Vietnamese merchants in the Eden Center in Falls Church are complaining about police intimidation after a raid last month that resulted in 19 arrests for alleged gang activity. Earlier this year, Arlington authorities — the county provides fire department services to the City of Falls Church — raided the Eden Center and confiscated illegal fireworks. [Washington Post]

Arlington Fire Marshals Confiscate Fireworks At Eden Center

By ARLnow.com

Arlington County fire marshals have filled a 44 gallon trash can with fireworks confiscated at today’s rowdy Chinese New Year celebration at Eden Center.

Firefighters initially responded to the Falls Church shopping center this morning for an activated fire alarm. They quickly discovered that the alarm was set off by fireworks being ignited inside the building.

Arlington fire marshals responded and, after determining the problem was more widespread than just one store, Falls Church Police and additional Arlington units were called in. Fire marshals are now conducting a sweep of the shopping center and confiscating illegal fireworks.

They’ve found enough fireworks so far to fill a 44 gallon trash can and a 18×12 box, according to fire department spokesman Lt. Gregg Karl, who noted that police will be stepping up their fireworks enforcement.

“Anybody who is caught lighting fireworks inside the building will be issued summons or arrested,” he said.

Photo courtesy Arlington Fire Department

Eden Center Ringing In Chinese New Year With Illegal Fireworks

By ARLnow.com

Update at 12:30 p.m. — The situation is apparently still not resolved. More firefighters and police officers are on their way to Eden Center.

The Arlington County Fire Marshal’s office is calling for backup at the Eden Center in Fall Church, which is apparently going in a bit overboard in celebrating the Chinese New Year.

“They’re shooting fireworks all around this area,” a fire official radioed to dispatchers a few minutes ago, while requesting that Fall Church Police respond to the shopping center.

Arlington firefighters initially responded to the center for an activated fire alarm. They quickly determined that the fire alarm was set off by fireworks and called in the fire marshal.

Today marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit in the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Rabbit is supposed to be quiet and peaceful, but given the ruckus at Eden Center that doesn’t seem to be the case so far.

Eden Center, which is primarily a Vietnamese shopping center, is actually celebrating the Year of the Cat, as the above poster illustrates. The Chinese character for rabbit translates to cat in Vietnamese, according to Wikipedia.

Arlington provides fire department services to Falls Church under contract.