Div Columns

i am making a web template and i have an html/css question.

i want to make two columns, but without using tables. only DIV's and css styles.

here is the basic:
COL1 COL2
|side | | | | |
|menu | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |

when i try this it fails.
the sidemenu has float:left;. how do i make two columns with only divs and css with teh sidemenu having float:left too?

Is it a fixed width layout or a fluid one?

the column width is fluid, but the body width is fixed

If the body width is fixed then you can't have fluid columns, thats really not possible as the body will never change its width. Float all 3 elements to the left, sidebar, col1, col2. Example: http://bonrouge.com/3c-hf-fixed.php