Two review parts - Code and Design. Don't be put off by the length. Most of it is just tips.
Code
HTML:
The current doctype is XHTML 1.0 Strict. At present, your mark-up will allow you to go for XHTML 1.1. This version is basically 1.0 Strict but stricter.
You have used an external stylesheet yet you also have an embedded sheet. Why is this? You have also external and embedded javascript, use on or the other.
You've used javascript for various design elements. I gather one such is rounded corners? If this is the case, then why not check out tutorials on rounded corners using CSS. It's cleaner, quicker and cross-browser compliant.
Because your design is pretty simple, use variable (%) widths on your site. This way, it will resize based on the size of the browser, and you won't have as much trouble with 'small window' issues.
You've used two divs to contain one image element. As you are doing nothing special with this image, you don't need any divs at all. Simply add an id to it, and apply some CSS to it. Remember, divs aren't a replacement for tables.
From this point, it all gets a bit messy. Remember to indent well and organise the structure. Use appropriately named ids and classes to elements with styling.
Overall, your code is one of the better examples I have seen in a while. However, you still have room for improving, and with time and experience you'll develop this well.
CSS:
At this point, I wouldn't suggest going for inline structure to your CSS. It is easier to find bugs, spot sections and organise the code if it is in structured, e.g. your code below:
Code:
h4 {font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 85%; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; color: #c9bf9e;}
becomes
Code:
h4 {
color: #c9bf9e;
font: 400 italic 85% Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
}
Notice how I have combined the font properties? This is a feature of CSS 2.0 scripting style (?) and makes life quicker and easier. I've added Arial as it is the DOS version of Helvetica.
Tip: Don't use % for font-sizes. Use em. In the body selector, set font-size: 62.5%. That way 10px becomes 1em. Therefore, if you want a font that is 14px, use 1.4em. This 'em' measurement can be applied to anything, but make sure you use it appropriately. Also, it is more accurate cross-browser. IE doesn't resize font-sizes that are in px neither, but it does in em (and % I think).
You have
Code:
CSS (hides HTML body when JavaScript is enabled):
Be sure to comment out this line, you don't want it causing potential issues in the future.
You don't need to set background-repeat to repeat as it is the default value (body selector).
Overall, your CSS techniques are good. You have used inline structure, which I wouldn't recommend at this stage. Check up on short-handing properties (e.g. font: ; background: ; etc).
Design
Layout:
Simple is quite often the best. I think by going for a simple layout, you haven't fallen into any traps and have presented your information in a way that is accessible and doesn't require straining of the eyes to find.
Only remark I am going to make is linked in with the HTML/CSS. Make sure that main content floats BEFORE the sidebar. You want visitors to take in your information, not crawl your site like a bot.
Colour Scheme:
Whilst you obviously have a colour scheme, I don't think you quite grasped it. Colour schemes should be concocted with harmonious and contrasting colours, not just any colour that might seem to look good. Red and that khaki colour you have going on doesn't fit. The contrast is too stark and pulls your site down a bit. What I suggest you do is take a look at colour scheme examples, from
Color Schemer and the build one from the free tool offered there:
http://www.colorschemer.com/online.html
I think the colour scheme is the main thing holding your site down. It's a shame really, because it is obvious the work put into the design and implementation of it.
Typography:
Headings should be seen as headings. They should be bigger than the content and direct the visitor to the content. They should also make clear which section is which (alongside the design contrasts).
Your current small headings for each section are a bit of a nuisance, as they hover half way across the top border, and so I struggle first time round to read it. Obviously, when I disable the styles, it looks better. Which brings me onto another problem.
This is more code related. You've added a line break at the end of every paragraph (<br />) why is this? Line breaks should appear within paragraphs to force new lines within a paragraph. It's only use from what I can see is creating poem's or sonets. If there is no clear gap between each paragraph without the line break, then adjust the margins (top and bottom) of your paragraph (in CSS). The only reason I had noticed this is because of the disabled stylesheets view.
I like with the current links in paragraphs there is a background to it on hover. With your colour scheme, it blends in too much, but in accessible terms, it is a great thing to utilise. I only suggest putting the underlines back on. Most users associate underlined different coloured words as links.
Other than that, you've created your content in a semantic way. I congratulate you on that, and wish that only other designers would take on the efforts you have.
Sidebar:
It's quite easy to fall into the trap of using text-align: center in order to try and grab the visitors attention, however that is all it will do. Text is harder to reader when it isn't left aligned (or right aligned depending on language) because our eyes naturally move from left to right. Therefore, because something is centered, we need to keep readjusting the position of our eyes to meet the next line. Left aligned text will grab and keep the reader reading if utilised effectively.
I like the paw prints for the menu items 
Disclaimer:
Put your disclaimer and all other legal rithermerol on a seperate page. By the end of the legal documentation, you don't want half of the page rendering time to be hanging on that. Your footer should (if there) contain no more than copyright, top link, etc menu links and links to privacy policies, disclaimers, etc. Anything else and it starts to get cluttered.
I hope the above proves useful and helps.
I will be working on that very soon...!
