thanks @Canapin - i’m pretty good with CSS and use quite a bit on my forum and i’m fine with it. i hadn’t quite figured out how to target those items and i was hoping to do it without the child element code for the reason you pointed out. i used a lot of CSS to change the old legacy menu contents as well, but it was easier to get at with CSS. i actually want to manipulate that whole section under community and put things in a different order, so i suspect i’ll have to use some javascript too. i REALLY want that part to customizable for admins. thanks again for the tip! 
also still not really clear what “everything” is. i kinda want to rename it to be more specific. 