2 minor layout changes (help please related)

I'll make it quick if I can..

1. The center column of this page seems pointless to me:
   http://www.sandiegorecordshow.com/soundshop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
   I mean that it's a little redundant and confusing when the actual categories are also displayed to the left etc... Is there any way to just bypass that page or at least change the look of it?

2. How can I get more than 10 items per page here:
   http://www.sandiegorecordshow.com/soundshop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_4

Thanks in advance and in the past for all the help so far!
I'm getting closer to going live every day.

Unless there is a new switch in 1.3.6 that I hav not found yet you first issue is not a simple admin setting....you might think of dressing this display up by adding inages in the Admin > catalog > Categories / Products >and then edit the categories/subcats that you have created an towards the bottom you can add an image just like when you add one for a product.

admin > config > maximum values > Products Listing- Number Per Page > set to the # you want