ok, so i've changed things a bit.  I went back to square 1 ..

<dnn:SOLPARTMENU runat="server" id="dnnSOLPARTMENU" ControlOrientation="Vertical" ControlAlignment="Left" IndicateChildren="False" RootMenuItemCssClass="MainMenu_RootMenuItem" />

In my style ..

.MainMenu_RootMenuItem {
    font-family: Century Gothic;
    font-size:13px;
    font-weight:bold;
    height:38px;
    background-color: #ffffff;
    color: #b2b3b6;
}
.MainMenu_MenuItem {
    font-family: Century Gothic;
    font-size:13px;
    font-weight:bold;
    background-color: #ffffff;
    color: #b2b3b6;
}

see screen shot below, this is frustrating :(  i need to get the Advertising, Creative Design, etc links to the right to be a smaller font, and keep the main menu (full spectrum pr, our services, etc) font the same size.  When i change the font size on the .MainMenu_MenuItem entry, the font size changes on the root menu as well.

I'm losing my mind

tips appreciated, if anyone can help a noob out :)