Extra Dynamic Partials in Custom Layouts

Hallo, I am quite new to rails an now I am planing to create a new project and I am laying out the design.

What I want to do is that

1) the users to change dynamically through the admin area of the site the position of the partials e.g (left, sidebar) and the layout should display for each part only the partials for this position

2)To use partials that are not related to the current action and would be on the left or right side bar. but these partials have to use model actions for their implementation.

I Have two thoughts: 1) Use the embed_action plugin as it is described here http://www.notsostupid.com/blog/2007/10/23/the-embedded-actions-plugin-for-rails/