I understand that in the template setting you can set the URL for each of the social media icons (installed the quick-start package) but I can not find where to select which of the social media links I want to display.

I don't want SKYPE or TWITTER for example, and I have erased their values in the template manager but they keep coming back. How can I remove one or two of the social media functions completely?

You need to edit / jf_creativia / index.php
remove unnecessary lines of code.
Look <div id="social-links">

got it - thank you for the help. one more question, since the template manager in joomla provides the URL information what is the best way to add a non ready social ink such as google plus.

I can edit the code for LinkedIN (since i don't use it) and I can just change the image pointer in index.php to google+ image and then use that field in the template manager for google+ address... but is there a better way to incorporate g+ into the template manager like the others are?

I'd do the same.
Use ready schema, customize it for your needs.