Theme development

I'm new to Drupal and am learning my way around, I didn't know the best way to create different sections in drupal that would have different blocks on them, is this easily possible, I've seen it down on some sites, but I'm not sure if its created in more of a static form, ie http://urlgreyhot.com/ I've downloaded several modules but think I've just ended up confusing myself. I have minimal PHP experience but am a quick learner, and am working my way around CSS. I'm more of an old school HTML and Java Programmer.

I'm customizing the Chameleon/Marvin theme and I've run into a snag with my site logo. I'm using two columns; the main one has my blog, and the right one will have the links and menus. At the top of this column, I would like to put the graphic for my site's logo. The problem is that the only way I've found to do this is with a block, and the block places my graphic in the same h2 tag frame as it does for all of my other blocks.

I want to have a box appear on the front page of the Remix Reading web site (http://www.remixreading.org) that includes some embedded PHP.

Using the mission box would seem appropriate, but it doesn't accept PHP.

What's the best way to do this? Should I remove the mission box and just include something in page.tpl.php?

Is there an easy way to add an image to show with each node type. I'd like to have an image that shows if the post is a blog, story, or event. Any help is greatly appreciatted.

Not sure if this is in the right place or not...

I'm going to start prototyping a site using drupal for my organization, and I admit I'm a little bit buffalo'd trying to figure out where to start with themes.

First, at least of the themes I've seen on the drupal site, none are quite what I want, so my assumption is that I need to take one of those themes and start modifying it to be more what I want. Is that a correct assumption?

How can I limit or expand the size of the comment Text box? (When you are commenting on a blog, etc.) I am using the xtmpl theme.

Thanks for any help,

- Robert