For the first issue, i think you should change the attributes of the css file. It should be site.css, in where you have to change the width of the left menu from 13em to 15em, or what you expect... I did not understand your other problem,
i don't have any css file
i didn't understand on the tutorial how to do it
can you explain me better please
i think this is the solution of all my design problems thanks a lot