Halp! Trying to add side column

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Unfortunately, you need a plugin for that.
In my opinion, displaying the latest posts in front page is a bit hard to "maintain".
I mean, it can be displaying only 'Great!', 'LOL', or other "not meant" words.
I think, it is better for displaying a good threads with a good contents, for example, Latest / featured Wiki / Blog from your Wiki / Blog section (still, you need a plugin for this).

But, I don't know whatever contents displayed in your portal.
Personally (it is only my personal opinion), if I have a "serious" portal page, I will try to not displaying the same section / contents / blocks for Index and Portal.
I prefer to put a different contents between Portal and Index.
For example, If I have a latest threads in my portal, I don't want displaying it again in my index.
Maybe I prefer for displaying, for example, Hot Topics (most views / replies).

It is only my personal opinion

BTW, could you post the forum description that have the banner?
You can censor the URL and banner link if you want.
I just want to know why you need to put the valign middle for the bottom rows (where the banner laid).