Many neighborhoods in the District tend to go through a rather predictable routine. They start as fringe areas, slowly attract residents and business owners looking for good deals on housing and commercial properties, see an influx of newcomers as word spreads, and soon become the city’s next hot destination. And throughout the process the usual conflicts tend to emerge — between old and new residents, between local and national businesses. Yesterday the rather tranquil Barracks…

On Friday, Deborah Jeane Palfrey made her much-hyped prime time television debut on 20/20, chatting with Brian Ross about her D.C. escort business but saying her “gals” didn’t engage in illegal activities. Ross was a bit incredulous that she actually believed no sex was taking place, but Palfrey quickly confirmed that said face was indeed straight, pointing to a contract her escorts signed saying they would be fired if any criminal activity took place. While…

What up, DC? Here’s a few last minute big, long, hot, fat content sausages to shove in your mouths. >> Tonight’s cocktail hour talking points: Webb up 4 with 4% undecided, O’Malley and Ehrlich tied, Allen’s people hate bloggers even more than that emo bitchling Jared Leto, and, responding to the self-induced cashiering of his credibility, John Kerry decides there’s no better time to kick off aggressively campaigning for the 2004 Presidential vote than 728…

Where can I find some used and vintage clothes in D.C.? My friends in New York City always have some great finds and I’d love to grab some of my own without having to go up to New York. Actually, DCist contributor Colleen Egan, who specializes in all things shopping, has been pulling together a piece on vintage and consignment shops (what can we say, we are unique clothing junkies and want to spread the…

Bigger retail could be coming to the District’s downtown area adding to the robust resurgence in shopping along some of the central city’s main corridors. With Seventh and H streets the new epicenter for downtown shopping (the newly opened Benetton, Urban Outfitters, Ann Taylor Loft, et al) and Hechts and H&M over toward Metro Center, the Post took a look at the status of the rebirth of downtown Washington’s shopping. Some critics might say that…