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It's often said that a buck doesn't buy what it used to. Yet that has never been true for any number of non-profit organizations. Public land and buildings are frequently leased for $1 per year by local governments. Why? First, it's a good way to incentivize more and diverse organizations that seek to further the public good, and not only in the cultural sector. Second, it tends to pay, or more than pay for itself in the form of bringing local folks and/or tourists into an area. That's good for local businesses and enhances tax revenue. The occasional great organization can enhance the overall image of the host city in ways that offer further benefit that is more difficult to measure -- and sometimes immeasurable.So let's say you own a lot of property, but since times are tough you must consider dumping some even in a weak market to keep your head above water. In better days you turned a building over to a group of nice folks who've taken good care of the place and behaved like good citizens; but freebies like this are dragging down your bottom line.  It may be time to give the kids notice. And that is just what the City of Los Angeles is contemplating with regards to about 130 non-profits organizations, many of them arts organizations.  Why now? Like so many other cities, the national economic crisis, apparently starting to ease somewhat, has left them strapped for cash.More...

Stretching a Buck

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We pity the motion to recommit-loving snoozers who think recess is boring, especially when there's a slew of outside-the-beltway news keeping us entertained. We continue to drink from the well of Alvin Greene, whose economic platform involves giving Barbie and Ken a run for their money. Speaking of offbeat policy ideas, the Louisiana legislature's plan to pray against the oil spill is being supplemented by a Bobby Jindal proposal to allow churchgoers to arm themselves. Join us in giving our newest polling experts from Pollster.com a big, within the margin of error, welcome. This is HUFFPOST HILL for July 7th, 2010:EXCLUSIVE: BILL CLINTON COMMITS NEXT THREE YEARS TO HAITI - Esquire's upcoming cover story, an in-depth profile of Bill Clinton, hits the web tomorrow and HuffPost Hill has a preview. "I don't want to be naive. It's going to be a stretch," he says of his extensive work in Haiti. "It'll be hard, but I'm excited about it. Enough so that after a couple of heart incidents and being sixty-three years old, I am prepared to spend three years on it. They want the right things for their country." Clinton talks about changing the dialogue about Haiti away from "rebuilt." "Now I say built," he says.More...

HUFFPOST HILL - JULY 7TH, 2010

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As consumers grow more environmentally conscious, products that are less toxic and have less of an impact are in demand.  From eliminating packaging and maximizing sustainability to using recyclable and waste materials for construction, designers are stepping up their game to provide new ideas for eco-furniture.Here are 7 awesome designs for green furniture. Vote for your favorites, and check out Inhabitat's coverage of the 2010 International Contemporary Furniture Fair for more neat designs.

7 Awesome Eco-Furniture Designs (PHOTOS)

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Mel Gibson has spewed hatred about blacks and Jews, and now he is caught on tape making a bigoted remark about Hispanics.Mel referred to one of his staffers as a "wetback," Radaronline.com reports.More...

Mel Gibson Hurls ANOTHER Racist Slur: Wetbacks

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Rep. Charlie Melancon's (D-La.) campaign closed out the month of June taking a hard shot at his opponent in the Louisiana Senate race, incumbent Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), over his retention of aide Brent Furer long after Vitter became aware that Furer had violently attacked a girlfriend with a knife.The Melancon campaign returns this week with another ad, on the same topic, possessed of the same David Fincheresque vibe -- but well armed with an additional revelations: that Vitter lied when he told reporters that Furer did not work on women's issues.More...

Charlie Melancon Hits David Vitter Again Over Brent Furer Furor (VIDEO)

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Aside from owning the latest gadget, signing up for the newest social networking site, and making HuffPostTech your homepage, there are plenty of ways to let your geek flag fly.This past winter we brought you the geekiest sweaters ever, but now that summer (along with a serious heat wave) is here, we've got a cooler nerd wardrobe: it's time to take a look a some of the geekiest bathing gear around.More...

The Geekiest Bikinis Of All Time (PHOTOS)

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The Gods have their own rules. -- Ovid, MetamorphosesOne of the many nice things about being a United States Senator is that you can ask just about anyone in government to explain actions being taken and anticipate a response and, in many cases, a change in conduct. Here is one example of how a United States Senator was able to influence policy.  It pertains to Blackwater.More...

Blackwater Strikes Again

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It's going to be a warm and clear weekend in Chicago (well, according to weather.com) and there is no shortage of things to do.If metal on Chicago Avenue, fiddles in Welles Park and soccer at Soldier Field doesn't pump you up, we aren't sure what will.More...

Another Fabulous Chicago Weekend: A To-Do List ( July 9- July 11)

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Imagine putting 500 hours of sweat equity into building homes and not knowing which one will be yours. That's the chance that Habitat for Humanity asks people to take, and if things in Pacoima are any indication, it's a chance that pays off quite well.Habitat is building a community of three-and four-bedroom homes in Pacoima, which is 20 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. A group of volunteers and future residents work on all the homes simultaneously, not knowing what home will be assigned to whom. When construction's done and families are selected to move in, they pay less monthly than a renter would, because they receive a Habitat for Humanity no-profit, no-interest loan. Their "down payment" was the 500 hours they devoted to building the homes together. Those are good figures for the working poor, but the community benefits are even more encouraging.More...

Habitat for Humanity: A Community Model for Activism

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If ever there were an Israeli who could lead Israel to peace with its Arab neighbors, it might be the Israeli diplomat I met the other day in the lobby of the Century Plaza Hotel. This is your classic Zionist. He stands tall and proud of his country, doesn't ignore its faults, has a deep understanding of the issues from all sides and craves peace.Of course, it helps that he's a Muslim. Not just a Muslim, but a Bedouin Muslim.More...

Shepherd on a Mission