BuddyPress.org

Hi r-a-y, I gave it a try but am still stuck. Here is a tip of what I have http://thecoalcity.com/activity

I have some thing I need help on:
1. The layout: Its not displaying as is the case with my regular pages.
2. I need a central page for buddypress, say “community”. As is the case here.
3. The buddypress navigation tab at the tab, is there a way for it not obstructing my Header image?

Note: I have not applied the buddypress theme, do I have to – since I don’t want the whole of my site to be buddypress?

Thanks a lot.