I agree with almost all of your points, the exception is the sidebar.
Not in the traditional sense, but in the sense of quotes, images, supporting items - that are called left, right, or full width.
Using your site as an example and lets pretend its 12 columns with 3 empty, 6 for the blog, 3 empty. That space could be well served with links, resources, images, quotes that serve to enhance the writing. These resources could stretch into the 6 for the blog or remain isolated in their sidebars.
I get a lot of people reading my recent 5 posts and my top 10 (by readers) posts so I kept the sidebar. But there isn't much else in it. I considered having it slide in or something but this is simpler.
My opinion towards enhancements is split. Footnotes in dead-tree publications or sidenotes on the web. If something is important for the reader it should be in the main text. If it is not important, why distract the reader? I have not found a good rule when something is not important enough for the main text, but still important enough for putting it somewhere near the main text.
Not in the traditional sense, but in the sense of quotes, images, supporting items - that are called left, right, or full width.
Using your site as an example and lets pretend its 12 columns with 3 empty, 6 for the blog, 3 empty. That space could be well served with links, resources, images, quotes that serve to enhance the writing. These resources could stretch into the 6 for the blog or remain isolated in their sidebars.