By Rob Sample Putnam Valley residents turned out in force for a Nov. 19 public hearing on zoning changes that aim to facilitate the creation of small businesses in residential areas and neighborhoods. Almost unanimously, residents spoke opposed the changes, saying the town needs to preserve its semi-rural character and find occupants for the many vacant commercial structures in town. Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi described the plan as a framework for enhancing the aesthet

I was sick as a dog the day before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, Mikey only had a half-day of school Wednesday, which meant my husband was on entertainment duty for the afternoon even though he was still supposed to be plugged in for work. I was in and out of consciousness all day, but the fragments I took in weren’t good. It started in the morning when I heard Mike tell the 7-year-old to get his shoes on approximately 14 times. As expected, his volume rose with each request.