Custom Wordpress Sidebar display for Categories and Recent News

I need three things done for a wordpress sidebar. These must be included into the template files, I do not want a widget, all CSS no tables. One is recent news, just lists the recent news with the layout explained. The other is categories and shows the categories. Third is not shown, but will work identical to recent news, and pull only from a specified category #. Dont worry about the header image for CATEGORIES, RECENT NEWS, FEATURED. Here is everything explained, check the screenshot attached. I would like everything within 24 hours or sooner. **RECENT NEWS/FEATURED** - 300 pixels wide - Display 5 most recent posts - Thumbnail 80 pixels wide maximum restriction with border #979797 (URL to thumbnail image is stored in custom field "Thumbnail-150x75" - Headline: Title of Post - CSS for Title font-color:#000000; font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:16px; - CSS for date line font-color:#979797; font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:11px; (could be less, see what looks closest to PSD) line-height:12px; **CATEGORIES** - Show two rows of categories as shown in example. - Ability to filter categories to not be shown in list. - CSS for date line font-color:#979797; font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size:11px; (could be less, see what looks closest to PSD) line-height:12px;