Line Spacing + Featured Content Break

Hi there! I need assistance with the following for www.everestspirit.com: 1. Line Spacing a. There seems to be an extra <br> more than I'd like after each paragraph. I only want one break and to me it looks like two. b. The same can be said for the side bar. There is too much space between each widget, especially on top of the social media icon. How can I minimize these spaces? 2. Featured Content Break I'd like to be able to put a significant break of sorts between feature content and the start of my posts on the home page just like there is between each of my posts on the homepage. How can I make that possible? Thank you for your assistance! Claudia