beattle

I have that set up using multi-site with subdomains and AWPCP classifieds plugin. All of the sites use the same core files and database.

You can have a look at the site here: Indigo Classifieds Network

If you use the custom menu feature it is simple do do.
Create a custom link with no “link address” and put your child pages below it.

I replaced the original line of code in my header.php and it works fine.
My Tag Line Reads:
Helping Families
that’s how we roll!

The Tagline field in settings reads:
Helping Families – that’s how we roll!

Here is the code I used.

<div id="site-description"><strong><?php echo str_replace('-','<br />',get_bloginfo('description')); ?>
</strong></div>

The <br /> code does not work in the text input box, nor does the bold code. I would imaging you could us just about any html code in that line

I would be inclined to limit the front page to two or three posts so that the sidebar is visible for the whole page.