Clinton reminisces on friendship with Rapoport

Former President Bill Clinton on Friday warmed some 1,000 wined-and-dined supporters of social and economic justice with a gentle message of regard for a Waco philanthropist and longtime political benefactor.

Proceeds from the gathering in honor of Bernard Rapoport were to benefit the nonprofit Center for Public Policy Priorities, which speaks on behalf of low-income Texans at the Capitol.—Austin American-Statesman

Downtown Miami in midst of a building explosion

"Cities like Manhattan, Boston, San Francisco — these are the examples we are using to move (Miami's) downtown forward," said Johnny L. Winton, a member of the City Commission, adding that some 90,000 housing units were in various stages of construction citywide. But many residents, environmentalists and even developers believe that the growth has been too rapid and undisciplined to support an influx of new residents. They say that buildings are going up without adequate mass transit, parking and water systems or a workable street grid.—Robin Pogrebin, The New York Times

Flying Biscuit to go national

I don't know Flying Biscuit, but "home-baked and organic goods served by tattooed waiters and waitresses navigating between mural-covered rooms" sounds like an interesting concept. Raving Brands to take the restaurant national. Story from the Atlanta Constitution Journal.

'Greenwash': A way to say 'hogwash'

"Greenwash is when somebody says that, 'Oh, we have the greenest building in town,' and they do not have the metrics to show that they've done something," said Anthony Bernheim, an architect at SMWM in San Francisco. "We've coined it from 'whitewash.' "
A range of businesses, industry trade groups and nongovernmental organizations have leaped to fill this need, offering seals of approval for everything from the source of lumber to the recycled content of various building materials.

Third-party certifications can support an application for the most recognized seal of approval, from the U.S. Green Building Council. The council, a nonprofit group, promotes energy efficiency and other environmental benefits in construction and design, and has established criteria to measure how green buildings are. The system is called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; so far more than 450 buildings have received some certification.—Jonathan D. Glater, The New York Times

Chicago's green strategy praised by Sierra Club and Chamber alike

Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley understands the benefits of conserving resources, saving energy, expanding parks, constructing environmentally sensitive buildings, reducing the amount of storm water, restoring wetlands, generating renewable energy and doing everything feasible to heal instead of harm the city's natural systems.—Keith Schneider, The New York Times