custom_index 1.8 and thewire

I want to apologize in advance if anything i write does not make sense.  I am very new to elgg and have little php experience.  

I installed the socialplus_theme and i love it.  I also installed the custom_index 1.8 widget and it works great.

I would like to add 'thewire' to the custom_index landing page and have attempted some code changes based upon what i saw in the original socialplus_theme, but i have not been able to get it to work.  I am afraid that I have little experience and need to be led thru the process like a child.

Thanks in advance for any help or direction that you can lend!