Removing Meta from my side bar. Widget is not working

I am completely new to this program and am just fumbling my way through. Can anyone explain to me how to remove the “Meta” with site admin and logout listed under it off of my side bar. I have messed with the widget section and nothing is working. Also wondering how to change the font color of my navigation bar so that I can change my background color. Lastly, on my lt side bar, if I put a calendar in through the widget section, it removes a whole list of unnecessary items that are in the template. If I remove the calendar it all comes back. I am hoping to get rid of it all. Thank you for any help or advice. As you can tell, I need computer illiterate instructions. thanks!