[Lynne]

1) Each of those 'bars' are actually forums also, except when you create the forum, you check the No option next to "Act as Forum". That makes is a category and then you can put the forums you want under that category into it by changing the option "Parent Forum" for the other forums.

2) Make the thread and on the bottom of the page, if you are an Admin or have the correct permissions, you will see these two options, just check both of them. Or, if you already created the three, you may Sticky it or Close it using the Thread Tools in the thread menu bar.

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