Please refer to the attached screenshot.

I  have three queries:

1) I would like to use always 960 as page width.  The problem is that I dislike to see the little space left on the right end of the menu.  As per screenshot, this width allows me to use 9 menu items (including the homepage) but there is always the bothersome tiny space left.  Of course, if I reduce the page width from 960 to 953 then it fits perfectly but I would rather prefer 960 as many experts say.

2) Can I get rid of the entire built-in menu with neither homepage nor any other menu items? (I would create picture files as menu to be inserted and hyperlinked at the "page content" area)

3) Likewise, can I build a page without header? (by inserting text, images, etc. ONLY at the "page content" are)

Thanks a lot for your help!