idea for element

news_block.php

<?php

if (!isset($latestNews)):
    $result = ClassRegistry::init('Nodes.Node')->find('promoted');
    $latestNews = $result[0];
endif;

if (!isset($latestPlace)):
    $result = ClassRegistry::init('MyPlugin.Place')->find('latestPlace');
    $latestPlace = $result[0];
endif;

if (!isset($latestEvent)):
    $result = ClassRegistry::init('MyPlugin.Event')->find('latestEvent');
    $latestEvent = $result[0];
endif;

?>

<div class="column3">
	<?php if (!empty($latestNews)): ?>
    		<?php echo print_r($latestNews); ?>
	<?php endif; ?>
	&nbsp;
</div>

<div class="column3">
	<?php if (!empty($latestPlace)): ?>
    		<?php echo print_r($latestPlace); ?>
	<?php endif; ?>
	&nbsp;
</div>

<div class="column3">
	<?php if (!empty($latestEvent)): ?>
    		<?php echo print_r($latestEvent); ?>
	<?php endif; ?>
	&nbsp;
</div>