DISTRICT BRIEFING

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

VETERANS

O'Brien's Creates Charity

The owners of Fran O'Brien's Stadium Steakhouse in Northwest Washington have created a charity to help fund the Friday night steak dinners they hold for wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

The restaurant's lease at the Capital Hilton, at 16th and L streets NW, expires May 1.

The dinners have become an institution among the soldiers recovering from severe injuries at the medical center. The gatherings act as a support group for the veterans, and many fear their end.

Organizers and veterans are trying to find a place to keep the dinners going while the restaurant's owners look for a place to reopen.

Donations can be sent to: Aleethia Foundation Inc., C/O Fran O'Brien's Steakhouse, 1001 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.

-- Petula Dvorak

ENVIRONMENT

Rec Center Hosts Air Day

Air and Atmosphere Day observances will be held today at Kennedy Recreation Center in Northwest.

The event, sponsored by the D.C. Transportation Department, will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the center at 1401 Seventh St. NW.

Exhibitors will encourage participants to change behaviors to avoid contributing to air pollution or global warming.

The event is part of GreenDC Week, which will include a variety of activities related to Earth Day.

-- D'Vera Cohn

CRIME

NE Man Found Fatally Shot

A 25-year-old Northeast Washington man was found fatally shot Monday night in the 2000 block of Third Street NE, police said.

He was identified as Rahman K. Moore of the 4900 block of Minnesota Avenue NE.

Teen Shot Near Ballou High

A teenager was shot and wounded yesterday in Southeast and went to Ballou Senior High School for help, authorities said.

A school system spokeswoman said the student, whom police said was 18, was to resume studies next month at Ballou after a suspension. He was listed in stable condition at a hospital after the 3:30 p.m. shooting on Alabama Avenue.

-- Clarence Williams and Martin Weil