I think I know enough about programming that I could do this if only given a little direction.

I just to know which files I would need to modify to actually add the box physically (on the main blog page and in each specific group) and then I would need to know what part of the code calls the web services and/or queries in each scenario.

I'd need to know this same information about forums as well, so I can 'copy' the technique.

I would probably add a search for blog comments as well.