Recommend best CSS execution of attached layout

Can’t seem to figure out the right code (or most practical and functional) for my layout… would like some advice.

Essentially, i’m working on a two column layout with a header. The left column is a fixed width fluid height . The right is fluid (100%). The header overlaps both columns. It starts at the left and is about 800px in width.

There are a few problems i need to overcome.

1 - The left column nav column needs to have a background image (png with drop shadow) which using CSS will expand to 100% height.

2 - The header will also contain an image with drop shadow.

  1. The right column (content window) needs to slide behind and under the header… so all drop shadows are revealed.

I do not want the header to move… i’d like it to be visible at all times.

I’ll attach a JPG of a rough idea of what i have in mind for you to visualize or experiment.

Any advice or idea would be appreciated.