41.   They had hoped to convince city officials to reject a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.

42.   Those leaf blowers double as flame throwers, well worth the added expense.

43.   To expand the number of jobs available, Moore took away leaf blowers, run by one person, and handed out rakes to a dozen.

44.   Until the law changes, Miscikowski said the ban on gasoline-powered leaf blowers will be difficult for police and inspectors to enforce.

45.   Use a leaf blower to dry a bicycle and prevent rust after washing.

46.   Well-dressed and passionately spoken, each demanded that council members ban the leaf blowers they said pollute our skies and drive Angelenos to distraction with their noise.

47.   When it comes to backyard noise, leaf blowers rule.

48.   Yet police are not cruising the streets to catch early-morning leaf blowers in the act.

49.   A neighbor, John Williams, said Taino told him that Bernard had threatened him with a pitchfork while he was using his leaf blower.

50.   No road noise, no cabs honking, no leaf blowers or lawnmowers, just overwhelming quiet.