block creation help

[diesel08]

Is there a way to add blocks to your forum

for example, between the navigation bar, and the forum, i want to have 2 blocks.. php'ing info from my db with news or data e.t.c..

can this be done?

[Gunshot]

I could use some advice on how to hardcode a banner into that same area.....but I would like to be able to do this with different images in different templates......

I realize there are some hacks for this, but I'd rather just do a hardcode

thanx