San Mateo News

As far as football season openers go, Friday night's 56-0 win by Serra High was nearly flawless.

The Padres (1-0) scored touchdowns on their opening seven drives against host Westmont (0-1), and the first four came on just nine plays from scrimmage. Serra avoided turning the ball over and came away with three interceptions plus a pair of fumbles. And after the Serra starters were pulled midway through the second quarter, the second unit preserved the shutout and tacked on a score in the second half.

The good news for the Aragon football team is this: The Dons should have one of the most prolific passing attacks in the Peninsula Athletic League this season.

The bad news? Well, just about everything else. The Dons were thoroughly out-classed by visiting Pioneer, which put a 41-19 thumping on Aragon under the lights at Burlingame High School Friday night.

For those who want inspiration to spruce up their gardens, or just a chance to observe some fantastic flora, there’s no better place to explore than some of the most beautiful gardens in the Bay Area.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, the San Mateo Arboretum Society will hold its 33rd Annual Fall Garden Tour including four gardens throughout the San Mateo-Hillsborough area. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests are invited to start self-guided tours.

Barely two minutes into a meeting with local government officials Friday, Rep. Jackie Speier wanted to make clear her thoughts on pork-barrel spending.

"You know, I have some grave concerns about the earmarking process in Congress," said Speier, D-San Mateo. "It's a train that is running out of control."

During the days of their carefree youth, it's easy to imagine Henrik Blixt and Christopher Leach running around with scissors. But with age comes wisdom and, as mature adults, they just run around with loaded guns.

The two San Mateo men are avid proponents of practical shooting, an offshoot of competitive marksmanship, which the United States Practical Shooting Association dubs an "extreme sport." Both traveled to Tulsa, Okla., on Friday to take part in the association's national handgun championships alongside approximately 600 other competitors.

Photo Credit: mr.smashy

For those who follow politics closely, it feels like much more than a eight days have passed since Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin stepped onto the national stage Aug. 29 as Sen. John McCain's running mate.

After several days of negative media attention, the storm dissipated Wednesday when she gave a smart and well-delivered speech that electrified the party faithful at the Republican National Convention, dispelling some doubts about her addition to the ticket.

Hybrids are not the only cars that can claim tax credits. Other vehicles designated by the IRS, which are just as environment friendly, can lessen the impact on your pocket book as well. The IRS has identified a specific list of automobiles that upon purchase in a given year can then apply for this tax credit.

Just staying healthy in the West Catholic Athletic League is an accomplishment. For seven consecutive weeks teams in the WCAL will feel like it's a playoff atmosphere, but it's just league play.

All six teams in the Peninsula Athletic League Ocean-A Division lost considerable big-play talent off last year's teams. Whichever team has the most big-play talent returning should carry the mantle as the favorite entering the 2008 season.

It's the words high school and junior college sports fans, coaches and players have waited months to hear: Are you ready for some football? For most, the answer is a resounding yes.

Election season is big business — especially for the San Mateo company selling scores of Obama, Biden, McCain and Palin merchandise.

CafePress.com is an online marketplace where anyone can design their own merchandise, like shirts, hats and campaign buttons and sell them to the world. And what the world wants now — at least in America — is campaign merchandise.

The American Red Cross is again urging eligible blood donors to help rebuild blood supplies in the Bay Area following the Labor Day holiday weekend.

Photo credit: phil_g

Children who frequent the Martin Luther King Community Center in San Mateo may have qualms about returning to their playground following a Aug.

But one child has mastered her fear and planned a rally against violence, dubbed "Arms Are For Hugging," which will take place at the center at 5 p.m. today.

Photo credit: bitzi

The gym was filled with squealing kids and the distinct hint of sweaty socks. And then, suddenly, there was Olympic superstar Michael Phelps unfolding his spindly frame from a black SUV out front.

A dark cloud has lifted from Taft Elementary School in Redwood City after hovering over it for several years. Taft finally shed a label as a campus needing to improve under the federal measuring stick, the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) program.

The convicted batterer mistakenly released from jail custody after a clerk error in July was back in court yesterday on a new charge of failing to appear for a court trial as part of his initial domestic violence trial.

Not accurately warning communities about the levels of lead in fake grass is the center of a lawsuits filed against three artificial-turf companies — one of which installed three fields at local high schools this year.

Fields recently installed at Burlingame, Hillsdale and Aragon high schools were furnished by Field Turf USA, a Florida-based company named in a lawsuit filed by the California Attorney General in the Alameda Superior Court this week.

With football teeing it up this weekend, it's time to bring back the zany, but thoroughly entertaining and never dull, Prep Lookout football predictions.

The San Mateo County Office of Emergency Services this month will work to prepare residents for potential emergencies with a community event and a loud reminder of danger along the Pacific Coast.