I tried seraching my "user guide" and the kindle forums for the answer to this question with no luck.  Maybe one of you can help me? 

I love being able to make highlights in my Kindle books.  But some of my Kindle purchases also show notations where other readers have highlighted a particular passage.  This is especially common in the free classic books.  Is there any way to turn these off? 

I'd prefer to see only my own notes and highlights.  I don't really care what other readers have marked.  It's kind of like getting a used textbook with writing and notes in it already.  I'd rather take my own notes.

I know you can turn them off from the menu (I think) but then I think it also shuts off your notes/highlights.  Sorry I couldn't be more definite but my kindle is dead and is currently recharging.

Menu
Settings
2nd page, at bottom: Popular Highlights - Turn Off

This turns off the underlining of the popular highlights and it does not affect your notes/highlights at all.

If you follow anyone on kindle.amazon.com, you may want to do the same for "Public Notes" on the 3rd page.

Thank you!  That is just what I needed! 

ETA: I don't think I was searching for the right terms, my results didn't even come close to the answer.