Frank Bruno is retiring from his landmark, Midtown furniture store at 3704 N Western after 59 years of serving the public, he said.The store is having a going out of business liquidation sale. However, Bruno was coy about whether any or all of his children, Mark, Tony and Gina Bruno-Dunn would reopen operations.

Nestled in MidTown is historic Linwood Place neighborhood, which has grown up around full of lush foliage and natural beauty. It spent 100 years doing growing around its nature's gifts, unlike modern development with its tendencies to push nature aside to get its own way.

Around Sam Karchmer's neck hangs a Jewish Star of David, a gift from his grandfather for his Bar Mitzvah. Sam's grandfather received it from his uncle when he turned 13, and gave it to his son, Samuel William Flack, Sam Karchmer's uncle, for his Bar Mitzvah. The pendant holds particularly special meaning to Sam, an 8th grade student at Heritage Hall, who decided to put his passion to work, make a difference in his community, and raise money for a cause that has touched his family in a very personal way.

A special day of activity for those in need, held at the Santa Fe Family Life Center (N. 63rd and Santa Fe Ave.) last week, left smiles of joy and gratitude on the faces of organizers.