LETTERS: NCT, Sept. 24, 2008 Sep 25, 2008
How much do want to bet that the screw drivers, wrenches and leaf blowers they use up there don't say "Made in China". Chuck wrote on Sep 24, 2008 4:58 PM:>>Science says nothing about the gender makeup of a marriage>>> Alf, science doesnt need to anymore. (North County Times)
Letters: Sept. 25 Sep 25, 2008
The [proposed] requirement to restrict leaf blowers to 65 decibels is unnecessarily restrictive and hostile to landscapers ... Leaf blowers would have to be certified for use in Brookline ... Are there different power levels of leaf blowers. (Brookline TAB, MA)
Brookline Town Meeting to consider leaf blowers for the fourth time this decade Sep 11, 2008
The town of Brookline is considering whether to ban leaf blowers during certain months ... The useful-but-noisy machines have been targeted yet again by Town Meeting this fall, marking the fourth attempt to silence or muffle leaf blowers in the last decade ... The committee s article would amend the town s noise ordinance to prohibit leaf blowers louder than 65 decibels roughly the same level of noise produced by Beacon Street traffic by Jan. 1, 2010. (Brookline TAB, MA)
Police Blotter (Sept. 11) Sep 10, 2008
Breaking and entering into a business Two leaf blowers being stored in the rear of Nigohsian Rug on Crawford Street were stolen about a month ago from an unlocked, enclosed landscape trailer. The incident wasn t reported to police earlier due to fears the theft would increase the landscaping company owner s insurance premiums. (Needham Tab, MA)
Valley air triggering fewer EPA violations Sep 9, 2008
The plan includes more than 50 particulate-reducing efforts, including restrictions on the use of leaf blowers and off-highway vehicles, and increased dust monitoring at construction sites. Maricopa County also has stepped up its enforcement efforts in the past three years, levying more than $12. (AZCentral)
Toronto's No. 2 Aug 28, 2008
And, leaving the window open will mean that you can hear stadium clean-up crews running leaf blowers. While the stadium views are spectacular, it can also work the other way: Fans in the stands can look up and see the hotel guests if they are in the window. (USA Today -- Sports)
Marc Wehrs: Dog attack brings biting comments Aug 21, 2008
Other advantages: It would make tree trimming more fun, and it might drown out the sound of leaf blowers. Responsible_Owner wrote: The owner(s) of this and other animals in the area need to be responsible for what their pets do. (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Two men attacked in Midtown Palo Alto Aug 20, 2008
" Probably not, there are far too many residents of PA who want traffic officers to catch speeders; that is the most important work of Police Officers to them. Meanwhile, we have a Community Service officer who spends his whole time ticketing gardeners who use leaf blowers because they violate the City's noise ordinance. Any attempt to change his job description is met with huge protests from a small group of N.PA residents. Posted by Resident, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, 4 hours ago... (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Opinion: Cut the lawn - and the engine Aug 19, 2008
It's the neighbors' lawn service powering up its artillery of lawn mowers, weed whackers, hedge trimmers, and leaf blowers, preparing to overtake any stray blades of grass that may have encroached on the sidewalk or any tiny, cowering patches of clover that have dared to sprout in the corners of the yard ... The high decibel level of leaf blowers has actually been shown to cause elevated blood pressure not that we needed studies to tell us this, as anyone who has walked by one in use knows... (Christian Science Monitor)
Dog impounded after attacks Aug 19, 2008
ryeguy wrote on Aug 19, 2008 6:54 AM:" I think a roof mounted M50 machine gun would do the trick. Other advantages: it would make tree trimming more fun, and it might drown out the sound of leaf blowers when they used it.I am afraid that dog is doomed. I wonder how the owners will take it? Probably they will go out and get another one. ". Vindicator wrote on Aug 19, 2008 6:50 AM:" Take a look at the photo. Looks like a small childs bike. Just a matter of time before there is a fatality. This was... (La Crosse Tribune, WI)
Homeowner groups often eco-unfriendly Aug 6, 2008
But let's see them push harder set strict limits on house size, ban pesticides and leaf blowers, maybe even discount association dues for energy conservers. These are rules we all can live with. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Fix Muni first to reduce car use Aug 4, 2008
Gardeners do not use leaf blowers because they like making people angry; they use them because their customers want their properties clean and the leaf blower is the fastest way to accomplish that task. If you have a problem with a gardener using a leaf blower, tell the gardener's employer about it. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Man told firefighters he dumps gasoline in Cambridge all the time Jul 31, 2008
Last year, the City Council passed a new ordinance which bans the use of gas-powered leaf blowers within city limits from June 16-Sept. 14 and from Jan. 1-March 14. (Cambridge Chronicle, MA)
Inventor plans to unveil jetpack at air show Jul 29, 2008
With the startling power of its twin rotors and its 200-horsepower engine behind my shoulder blades screaming like an army of leaf blowers, it felt almost as if I were doing the lifting myself, with muscles I did not know I had. It felt like living in the future and, even better, the future we imagined back when it was something to be hoped for rather than feared. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
War at the root of our woes Jul 28, 2008
Editor - Is there truly any plausible rational for the use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Notorious atmospheric polluters (look it up), blasting dust, pollen and dirt - along with leaves - from one property to the next. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Commission to seek clean air action alerts Jul 19, 2008
Don't use your gasoline-powered lawn mowers, trimmers or leaf blowers on high-ozone days. Don't use oil-based paints, solvents, or varnishes on high-ozone days. (Pekin Times, IL)
Health Reccommendations to Reduce the Impact from Wildfire Smoke Jul 13, 2008
- Do not use leaf blowers; gentle sweeping of indoor and outdoor surfaces followed by wet mopping is the best procedure for removing ash in most cases ... Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions that will put ash into the air. (Gridley Herald, CA)
Fire lessons learned, but will we heed them? Jul 13, 2008
Leaf blowers can be as useful as fire hoses in clearing roofs of flammable debris. The current crop of mega fires (five of the state's biggest on record have occurred in the last six years) put special demands on fire planning. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
JIM DODSON: Bound by an Invisible Thread Jul 6, 2008
Recently, while walking home to have a sandwich on the terrace and keep an eye on the drama unfolding in the hanging plant, I watched a Mexican lawn crew fan out and crank up their leaf blowers and mowers. According to the National Institute of Health, 65 to 85 decibels of noise pollution can induce stress-related heart attacks, depression, and permanent hearing loss. (The Pilot Newspaper)
Landscaper reports stolen leaf blowers Jul 4, 2008
Newton - Two backpack leaf blowers were taken from a trailer parked on Riverview Avenue last week. The incident follows the failure of a measure to ban leaf blowers at City Hall. (Newton Tab, MA)
Lincoln memorial Jun 27, 2008
Then we ll take a couple leaf blowers and blow-dry his hair to make it nice and fluffy. The bear isn t posed in a threatening stance, since in life he wasn t aggressive toward people, and the USFWS wanted it to be in as natural a form as possible, Shanley noted. (Helena Independent Record, MT)
Rain fails to dampen these skaters’ spirits Jun 22, 2008
Washington Daily News Online. Rain fails to dampen these skaters spirits. (Washington Daily News, NC)
Cave Creek mayor backs citizens' dust referendum Jun 19, 2008
Maricopa County and local municipalities adopted the provisions, which restrict the use of leaf blowers and off-road vehicles. Some property owners say the new rules are too much for equestrian-friendly Cave Creek. (AZCentral)
Levin: Small step, or quantum leap? Jun 11, 2008
Newton has been considering a local ordinance to regulate the use of leaf blowers, due to concerns about noise ... Although banning leaf blowers locally would appear to be an indirect approach to addressing the widespread environmental and health problems created by small engines, it turns out that local bans can and do provide the impetus for state and national legislation ... Just as there is no credible evidence that switching to reusable bags has led to loss of income for retailers or... (Newton Tab, MA)
Poor air quality predicted in our area this weekend Jun 7, 2008
- Using public transportation, car pooling and/or combining trips; - Refueling cars at night to reduce gasoline vapors getting into the air during the daytime when the sun can cook the vapors and form ozone; - Avoiding the use of small gasoline powered engines, such as lawn mowers, chain saws, and leaf blowers. EPA and the New England states provide real-time ozone data and air quality forecasts at http://www. (Somerville Journal, MA)
Green and Budget-friendly Ways to Improve Your Yard May 31, 2008
Even electric leaf blowers have their carbon footprint because so much electricity is still supplied by power plants that aren't as green as they can be. Plant inexpensive annuals. (Fairfax Chronicle, VA)
* Smiths invisible hand is shaking May 26, 2008
Noisy goods, like leaf blowers, for example, can jolt whole neighborhoods from calm. And goods that dont biodegrade readily, like many plastic bags, can generate costly waste streams. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Ennis, Bozeman boys finish second May 25, 2008
HELENA - Volunteers deployed leaf blowers, sponge rollers and push brooms to keep standing water out of the competition on Saturday. They didn t stand a chance. (Bozeman Daily Chronicle)
Bismarck to fight turkey invasion May 16, 2008
AHAmember wrote on May 15, 2008 10:55 AM:" The "damage" by wild turkeys (other bird species and even deer, yes bambi!) in any suburban or urban environment is a pittance compared to the damage done to the environment by neighbors using chemicals to enhance their lawns, their cement to enhance their driveway, multiple garages, and boat dock access, their gas or electric leaf blowers and lawn mowers, their automated lawn sprinklers from city processed water. Just because people have paid premium... (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
Some mowers aren't such a gas for the environment May 16, 2008
As a result, gas-powered mowers and other lawn tools (trimmers, edgers, leaf blowers) continue to blast into the air significant amounts of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. When those substances react to sunlight, they create ground-level ozone, a key ingredient of smog. (OregonLive, OR -- News)
Joseloff, Bliss share spotlight at Y's Men session May 16, 2008
As for the noise ordinance, he said the state Department of Environmental Protection required that audio meters be used to check decibel levels and he noted that the police chief had said, "I'm not going to send my guys to chase down guys with leaf blowers." Noise reminded Joseloff of the residents of Lincoln Street, "who have suffered more than they should," he said, referring to the CLtruction that has gone on there and adding that the power company is no longer allowed to work there at night.... (Westport Minuteman, CT)
Deere 2Q profit rises, but warns of cost trouble ahead May 15, 2008
Deere also makes construction and forestry equipment such as backhoes, excavators, riding mowers and leaf blowers. There's no doubt the ag business has the wind at its sales, but the rest of the company is fighting the housing recession here, a weakening U.S. economy that may or may not be in a recession, Collins said. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Global demand lifts farm machinery maker Deere's 2Q profit by 22 pct, warns of cost pressures May 14, 2008
Deere also makes construction and forestry equipment such as backhoes, excavators, riding mowers and leaf blowers. . (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
College Guys rake up yards, dough May 13, 2008
The two then made a point to invest in hand-held electronic leaf blowers, and simply bought all other necessary equipment from a local hardware store. Now, a year later, The College Guys has 10 workers, and does jobs that range from lawn mowing to even cleaning out garages. (Concord Journal, MA)
Town Meeting, May 7 May 10, 2008
A separate amendment to the article to ban gas-powered leaf blowers outright was soundly voted down ... John Worden said scrapping the leaf blowers shouldn t be alarming, and would bring some much needed peace and quiet to local neighborhoods ... Ultimately, leaf blowers are more efficient and cost less than manually raking a yard, and imposing use restrictions could end up costing the town as it clears its parks and cemeteries of leaves, said Precinct 19 Town Meeting Rep. (Arlington Advocate, MA)
Town Meeting May 8, 2008
Phil McCarthy, registered voter from Precinct 13, said leaf blowers are a temporary intermittent aggravation at most, and that this bylaw was put forth by cranky neighbors who wanted to restrict the activities of others. Carol Band, Precinct 8, who inserted the article, put forth a substitute motion to ban gas-powered leaf blowers only ... Paul Schlichtman, Precinct 9, said gas-powered leaf blowers do have an environmental impact and that the changes to the amendment by the Board of Selectmen... (Arlington Advocate, MA)
Mayor lists 100-day plan for Malibu (4) May 8, 2008
Sunday, May 04, 2008 Edition. " The four-page document lists a number of ordinances she wants approved and other plans she has for the city, along with some brainstorming on possibilities she would at least like explored. The entire document will be posted on The Malibu Times' Web site later this week. The first item on her list calls for the creation of a Santa Monica Mountains Fire Safe Council Alliance, which would include "all the stakeholders" in the north Santa Monica region. She names... (Malibu Times, CA)
How to be a good neighbor May 4, 2008
v Other sounds, like two-way messaging, leaf blowers and lawn vacuums can be irritating to your neighbors. Be considerate of when you use these technologies, especially in the early morning and evening. (Kalamazoo Gazette, MI)
COLUMNIST: The seasonal thief of peace May 2, 2008
Locally, aldermen in Newton, Massachusetts passed a proposal last month that would ban the use of leaf blowers, both the gas and electric versions, from April 15 to Oct. 15 ... Don t you love the guys who are out using their leaf blowers while wearing noise-control headphones ... A google search of the words ban leaf blowers produced 34,100 hits. (Easton Journal, MA)
Take time to enjoy the birds Apr 19, 2008
Scientists at the University of Sheffield in England and at other institutions say the constant din of vehicles, factories, chain saws, leaf blowers, lawn mowers and other machines is drowning out the dawn chorus. The racket, they say, could lead to a decline in bird populations. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Prisby: Hope for tomorrow Apr 16, 2008
And locally, the big idea was to ban leaf blowers while ramping up for a battle to stick it to the tax payers with a Proposition 2 1/2 override in the middle of a recession, all while designing a school so expensive as to garner national attention, if not outright ridicule. Did I miss anything. (Newton Tab, MA)
Business • Grime pays: Quality assurance Apr 13, 2008
He checks the slack in the chain on large leaf blowers so often he calls it "changing the oil.". One 10-year-old trap rake machine has lasted 5,462 hours; a feat Mr. Lee says even the manufacturer found surprising. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Quick-thinking Pinal deputy saves child, earns medal Apr 13, 2008
In a work session, Don Gabrielson, director Pinal County Air Quality, explained that Senate Bill 1552 mandated that the county adopt and enforce a number of air-quality measures including prohibiting the use of leaf blowers to push material onto public roadways in the unincorporated areas in the northern portion of the county. Gabrielson also advised that the bill included banning the use of leaf blowers on "surfaces that have not been stabilized," for example with asphalt, concrete, mineral... (Casa Grande Valley Newspapers, AZ)
Pollen season: Ban leaf blowers? Apr 12, 2008
And what about leaf blowers ... In past seasons, I ve even wondered if leaf blowers should be banned during pollen season ... My idiotic apartment complex uses leaf blowers and all of that pollen lands on my car. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
More of this story Apr 8, 2008
Childre said event staff attempted to dry the stage using leaf blowers, but it didn't work. "And then the entertainers said if they did put the equipment on stage and it was damaged, we'd be responsible for it," he added. (Andalusia Star News, AL)
Fugitive dust settles with new city ordinance Mar 28, 2008
Council voted to amend and adopt a new Fugitive Dust Ordinance Tuesday evening that deals with leaf blowers, ATV and recreational vehicles, and unpaved properties ... Part of this ordinance has to do with leaf blowers, Kukino said. (Glendale Star, AZ)
Critics say leaf blowers foul the air Mar 24, 2008
Carlos Huerta says he and his father rely on leaf blowers to make a living ... The sensitive word is "blows."Trouble is, says Milicent Milrodian of Fresno, some environmental groups and an increasing number of municipalities, there is much to condemn in leaf blowers ... In California, more than 20 cities, including Beverly Hills and Berkeley, banned leaf blowers for the noise they make. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Video: Finding the best foot forward Mar 15, 2008
To test these variables, Goldman collaborated with Daniel Koditschek at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia to test robot motion in a larger sand bed, filled with poppy seeds and aerated by leaf blowers. The kinematics of moving in sand proved to be far more difficult than expected. (Nature News Service)
Sounds, smiles are signs of rebirth Mar 10, 2008
And I, who complain about leaf blowers with their screechy whine, and empty trucks that barrel down my street, metal against metal, an ungodly noise, and tree trimmers, and sidewalk sweepers, and cacophony in general, welcome the daily sounds of this new construction. Because it is resurrection in action, life eternal, like the snowbells in bloom right now, like the crocus and hyacinth creeping out of the dark toward the light. (Boston Globe)
Restrictions sought on leaf blowers Mar 10, 2008
Cohasset voters next month will decide whether this affluent town of 7,500 will become the second community in the state to restrict the use of leaf blowers. The proposal, submitted for Cohasset Town Meeting through a citizens petition, was penned by Marcus Ramsden, who lives on Jerusalem Road and calls leaf blowers "the screaming babies of landscaping equipment." ... Ramsden's proposal calls for banning the use of all gas-powered leaf blowers on Sundays and Mondays. (Boston Globe)
VALLEY'S TOP 10: Upsides to housing downturn Mar 2, 2008
Fewer lawns being tended means fewer leaf blowers fouling the air. 7. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Deere profit climbs 55 percent on strong demand for ag equipment Feb 14, 2008
Deere, which also makes construction and forestry equipment such as backhoes, excavators, riding mowers and leaf blowers, forecast earnings of 2. 2 billion for the full year, up from 2. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Maricopa County launches clean-air crusade Feb 13, 2008
The new campaign will focus on getting people to carpool, use rakes instead of leaf blowers and drive slowly on dirt roads, among other actions. "It's going to get the message out in a more meaningful way," said Maricopa County Supervisor Andy Kunasek. (AZCentral -- News)
Be My Green Valentine Feb 12, 2008
In fact, using one gasoline-powered mower for an hour pollutes as much as 40 late-model cars, and weed eaters and leaf blowers pollute even more. Tools like push mowers can reduce the amount of pollution we put into the atmosphere. (ABC News)
Rants and raves Feb 6, 2008
A RANT TO THE thoughtless people with leaf blowers. Yard waste, especially pine straw, blown into our roadways by lazy individuals and lawn maintenance crews creates very dangerous driving conditions. (The Augusta Chronicle)
Baseball organization gets help after public learns of vandalism Jan 29, 2008
Thieves stole shovels, rakes, weed trimmers, leaf blowers and other equipment the league uses to maintain the fields at Riverside Park in Lexington. Vandals slashed the batting cage and the tarp that covers it. (Longview Daily News, WA)
2007 Year in Review: What happened, where, and when... Jan 19, 2008
The Gridley City Council has been asked to regulate the use of leaf blowers in the city. Asst. (Gridley Herald, CA)
Deere CEO Lane gets $14.8 million in fiscal 2007 compensation Jan 18, 2008
Deere, which also makes construction and forestry equipment such as backhoes, excavators, riding mowers and leaf blowers, earned 1. 82 billion, or 8. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Deere CEO Lane gets $14.8 million in fiscal 2007 compensation Jan 17, 2008
Deere, which also makes construction and forestry equipment such as backhoes, excavators, riding mowers and leaf blowers, earned a 1. 82 billion, or 8. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Get rid of leaf blowers Jan 9, 2008
Call: (800) 877-3400. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Kaiser shouldn't settle just for smoking ban Jan 3, 2008
I'd like to challenge Kaiser to take it a step further and prohibit the landscape maintenance personnel from using gasoline-powered leaf blowers. Patients and employees are subjected to the dust and fumes that they give off daily, and with the condition of the Valley air, I feel that we owe this to our community. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Tired of waiting Jan 3, 2008
Please, honorable members of the Fresno City Council -- ban leaf blowers. Vicky ShoquistFresno. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Times Square ball going green for 100th anniversary Jan 1, 2008
The Department of Sanitation says it will have 109 workers, 16 mechanical sweepers, 13 collection trucks, 14 leaf blowers and other street cleaning equipment ready to move in as soon as Times Square is cleared of the hundreds of thousands of merrymakers. During last year's festivities, the department spent 37,216 to pick up 42 tons of paper debris. (Auburn Citizen, NY)
VALLEY'S TOP 10: Headlines we'd like to see in 2008 Dec 31, 2007
City permits leaf blowers, but only indoors. 4. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Oconee County police blotter Dec 19, 2007
Your Connection to the. Web Search powered by YAHOO. (Athens Banner-Herald)
