Cover: The Big Shrill
Leaf blowers are driving social classes apart, movie stars into politics and neighbors insane. Will it ever stop?

News: El Gato Gains
The owner of the Penthouse Apartments in Los Gatos has raised rents by 40 percent, saying he improved the property. Residents say all he did was hang bad art and mirrors.

Metropolis News Extras

• Monte Sereno: Land Rovers and spontaneous combustion.
  
• San Jose: Cosmologist and author Stephen W. Hawking visits SJSU.
  
• Cupertino: Junior high schoolers push for the Mortenson Mohawk.

Free Birds: Low-tech, high-flying thrills for kids, for free.

Dangers Ahead: Meat Beat Manifesto's Jack Dangers plots the sonic future, but don't call him 'dad.'

Soul Divas: Nicky Baxter reviews a new five-wolume set of female vocalists from Hip-O Records.

Musical Magritte: Robyn Hitchcock's music is more beautiful than ever on new 'Storefront' album.

Charisma and Causes: Rock vocalist Storm Large is bigger than life.

Street Strains: Venice Beach troubadour Ted Hawkins leaves a musical legacy on Love You Most of All.

Audiofile: Reviews of the latest CDs by Ned Massey, Q-Burns Abstract Message and various artists.

Stake-Out: John Carpenter goes for the gore in vampire genre.

Culinary Coo: Willow Glen's White Dove Cafe is a four-star stop on Lincoln Avenue, a hot spot for wining and dining before or after the holiday lights.

Rudi Mania: In Nureyev: His Life, author Diane Solway calls Rudolf Nureyev ballet's first pop star.