1. When I set up portfolio items, is there a way to eliminate or change the social icons (see screen shot). If yes, where do I find it?
2.  is there a way to add a wide full-width horizontal band? If yes, is there a way to place text/content on top of it?

I would like to remove the social icons from this post. I do not even have Google+ selected anywhere I can tell in the theme. And, if I look at the dashboard for this page, I have not been able to locate where those icons are being pulled from.

Here is a capture of my dashboard... looks different than example shared with me.

NEVER MIND. Arrrrgh. I found it. I must have taken the short bus today. Sorry. Thx for your help.

With regard to my second question (2)

Is there a way to include a full-width wide gray band and place text/image on top of it (example attached)

Thank you for your response