Hi, thanks for even thinking about helping us out! Here are the minimal features we think we need for this blog:

1) free (it's fine if the URL contains the name of a blogging service)
2) no automated ads (whether adwords, or from the blogging service, or anything else)
3) includes or integrates with a robust, reliable, multilevel comment system, ideally Disqus (using our Disqus account)
4) a main column/blog area plus at least one sidebar
4) some nice social media plug-in features that make it easy to Tweet or Like or Plus or whatever.
5) ability to create new posts via email
6) ability to categorize posts
7) ability to add static pages, rather than just a blog
8) ability to upload an image as the masthead, although we may not do this immediately