Disappointing, But It's Better to Walk Away Now

Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont (Mejia/Chron)

Six months ago we reacted enthusiastically to the prospect of Stanford University expanding into Belmont. Now that project has been cancelled.

After nearly four years of deliberation, Stanford University has decided not to move forward with its plan to purchase the Notre Dame de Namur University campus in Belmont.

In a statement released Tuesday, the university cited several unforeseen factors that influenced its decision, particularly the changing landscape of higher education and financial challenges.

“As we were engaging with the Belmont community and City leaders, we were also exploring possible academic uses for a Stanford Belmont campus,” said Stanford officials. “This process has clarified that identifying and establishing those uses for a potential Belmont campus will take significantly longer than we initially planned.”

Stanford entered into an option purchase agreement in 2021 to acquire the historic 46-acre Catholic university property with plans to create a satellite campus for 2,500 students, faculty and staff.

The proposed site, roughly 13 miles from its main campus in Palo Alto, would have been called Stanford Belmont and was positioned as a short 20-minute drive up Highway 101...The proposed layout included pedestrian paths, bicycle lanes and green spaces aimed at creating a communal atmosphere...

Local leaders in Belmont had hoped the campus could help revitalize the historic property, which has struggled financially in recent years.

The Italianate Ralston Hall Mansion, built in 1867 as the summer home of banker William Ralston, is a state and national landmark that has been closed for years. The building is currently undergoing a renovation project that Notre Dame de Namur University cannot afford to complete.

Belmont Vice Mayor Gina Latimerlo noted in August that the sale would help fund renovations to Ralston Hall and provide community benefits such as improved athletic facilities and infrastructure upgrades.

With Stanford’s plans for the Belmont site now on hold, the future of the property remains uncertain.

The creation of Stanford-Belmont looked like a win-win for both the university and rhe city. The reason for the cancellation--“This process has clarified that identifying and establishing those uses for a potential Belmont campus will take significantly longer than we initially planned”--is typical public relations gobbledy-gook.

These are words that are used because Stanford had to say something about the loss of its deposit and four years of work, but reveal nothing. There's only a slight chance we'll know what really happened, but as someone who makes (small) donations to the University and wants them to use funds wisely, I hope we find out.

Cruel Dilemma

This morning I faced a cruel dilemma: do I eat healthy fresh fruits or unhealthy sugary baked goods?

(I wrote about Cruel Donuts last year. It's a family-run bakery in Belmont, two miles from our house.)

Friendly Takeover

With some of the largest, most successful companies (Tesla, Oracle, HP, and now Chevron) in the Bay Area moving to Texas because of onerous taxes and regulations, it's hard to name a company that is certain to be here a century from now.

Even trillion-dollar "megacap" corporations like Apple, Nvidia, Google, and Facebook can have their fortunes worsen suddenly, and California, seeing taxpaying individuals and companies fleeing its hostile business climate, will devise ways to squeeze the remaining golden geese. Those companies better have their "go bags" ready.

There is one private entity, however, that not only will stay here but has expanded its footprint throughout the 20th century and will do so in the 21st.

Koret Field at Notre Dame de Namur University (Chron photo)

Headline: Plans for Stanford’s new Bay Area campus move forward. [bold added]

Stanford University’s plan to purchase a historic Catholic university property on the Peninsula and turn it into a satellite campus for up to 2,500 students, faculty and staff is taking shape, according to newly released documents.

Belmont officials this month released a draft environmental impact report, the first public document detailing Stanford’s option to purchase the nearly 46-acre site of Notre Dame de Namur University in the city. In the works since 2021, the deal — if it goes through — would continue Stanford’s push into San Mateo County after local concerns about growth forced the university’s withdrawal of a huge expansion plan for its main Palo Alto campus in 2019.

Stanford already operates Stanford Redwood City, a 35-acre health care facility and administrative satellite 5 miles north across the Santa Clara County line. The proposed new acquisition, to be called Stanford Belmont, is 13 miles from the Stanford campus and a 20-minute drive up Highway 101.

The Leland Stanford Junior University, which had a $36.5 billion endowment in 2023, has the deep pockets and structure (e.g., no quarterly earnings reports to shareholders) to endure the lead times necessary for Bay Area real estate projects.

The University also has a growing long-term demand for its education and health services that will populate its projects as soon as they are completed.

The installation of Economics Professor and Business School dean Jonathan Levin as its President, the arrest of demonstrators who took over and damaged its property, and the reinstatement of standardized admissions tests indicate that Stanford is setting aside the excesses of Progressivism, DEI (diversity,equity, and inclusion), and wokeness, which is more reason to expect it to survive into the next century and beyond.

The Enjoyment Made it Worthwhile

Somehow the calendar has gotten away from us. Nearly half the year has gone by, and we haven't enjoyed a sit-down meal at a nice restaurant.

It was a family member's birthday, and, as we did for our anniversary last year, we reserved a table at the Iron Gate French restaurant in Belmont.

The service was good on a crowded Tuesday night, and the cuisine was better. I treated myself to a New Zealand rack of lamb (pictured). The $68 cost was 50% higher than it was five years ago, but the enjoyment on the birthday girl's face (she had veal) made it all worthwhile.

We did a poor job pacing ourselves tonight and brought home leftovers. Next time we'll plan better and have enough room for the Grand Marnier Soufflé,

Once a Decade, Whether We Need to or Not

Grand Marnier Soufflé: not as flame-boyant as 2005.

We celebrated our anniversary yesterday by going to the Iron Gate restaurant in Belmont. The French cuisine is très expensive, but we allow ourselves this indulgence once a decade (2016 and 2005).

When we're in the nursing home, we won't be able to come here. From the looks of the other white-haired clientèle, Iron Gate should worry about its diminishing customer demographic, but somehow it has survived for half a century.

We each ordered a three-course meal ending with the Grand Marnier Soufflé. The waiter did not serve it as spectacularly as his counterpart of 18 years ago, but it was excellent nonetheless.

Maybe we'll visit the Iron Gate next year, whether we need to or not.

Healthy Slough

The winter rains have revived the Belmont Slough, which marks the border between Foster City and Redwood Shores. We've had clear weather since May 1st (left).

Although the water level had fallen slightly when I took the picture (right) earlier today, the supply of brackish water will be ample this summer, the Slough will be healthy, and we'll likely get even more waterfowl.

Wikipedia: "In the early 1900s the slough was considered the best place to hunt ducks in San Mateo County, with the birds so plentiful, hunters could sneak up on them." Duck-hunting won't return any time soon, but sentiments can change.

Not Everything is Fake

A teacher and her daughter in need(?)

I thought that this was a scam immediately after reading it on Nextdoor.

I need your help. I am a [name of school withheld] teacher and a single mom leaving an unhealthy relationship. I have no family in the area, both of my parents are drug addicts with mental health problems, and I’m all I’ve got.

I came to Belmont with my now-ex from across the country 6 years ago, and I can’t afford to live here on my own. I need help affording the move to Richmond, VA. I’m so close to my goal. It won’t cover all of the costs, but it sure will put a dent in them. My daughter and I would be grateful for any help you can provide. Thank you so much!

The post ended with a link to a GoFundMe account.

Apparently, the message is not fake because there are real people who know this teacher and who have been on Nextdoor for years, according to their postings. A couple examples of their responses:

Ms. --- We fondly remember you teaching our kid, and we are so sorry to hear about this situation. Donating to help, and wishing you all the best. Please let us know if we can help in any other way.

Done! You were wonderful teaching my son last year in hybrid kindergarten (Nathan F) and I’m so sorry you are going through all this. Good luck with the move!!

Wait a minute.... you are moving? But I still have another son to go through [name of school], I was hoping he would be in your class at some point... 😕

The teacher answered each message and she herself has been on Nextdoor for 19 months.

It's still possible that this is a scam: she could have set up fake "parents" over the years, or she could be lying about the reasons for getting out of town. Furthermore, what's she got going in Richmond, VA, because it's certainly not family. But these possibilities are unlikely, since such long-term con skills would seek a bigger payoff.

As of this writing, the GoFundMe account has raised $11,660, overachieving its target of $10,000.

As for me.....“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” --Mark 9:24

Trash: We Must Redouble Our Efforts

Sometimes a stiff breeze lifts rubbish from a receptacle or blows a paper cup from someone's hand, but I have never seen anyone deliberately litter.

(The collection system isn't perfect; that's why there was the annual California Coastal Cleanup last Saturday. Thankfully, according to local politicians, not a single toxic needle of the unaccounted-for millions gets washed into the Bay.)

2019 Coastal Cleanup (Chronicle photo)

In the fast-food restaurants where plastic is still allowed I always take advantage of this legal exemption, in this instance at Wendy's. The lid, cup, and straw are the perfect drink delivery system: minimized spilling, water resistant, disposable, and cheap.

At home I placed them in the blue recycling container as I have for the past 20 years. Nevertheless, some trash still leaks through.

We, the people, continue to disappoint our leaders. We must redouble our efforts!

Blessed Relief

Without the haze you can see the East Bay hills.

I've walked, biked, and jogged along the Belmont Slough since the 1980's.

Although much of the original 1960 Foster City Master Plan has not been realized (where's the high school? where's the heliport?), the city has largely adhered to the principle of preserving open space.

The provision of open space is intended to offer residents and visitors opportunities for quiet introspection in a location that provides visual relief from buildings, concrete and noise associated with urban life.

The quaint language of nearly 60 years ago also provides blessed relief from the noisy puffery associated with nearly every green program today.

Soufflés May Never Come

Carré d'agneau 

As we did a year ago, we had a quiet dinner to celebrate our anniversary. This year's venue was the Iron Gate in Belmont, which serves traditional haute cuisine and has prices to match.

The rack of lamb was $45, normally the entire ticket for four at my usual haunts, but I'm loosening the pursestrings a bit as my expiration date approaches. And why not---I've lost a number of classmates---and none of us has begun to collect Social Security.

Has it really been 11 years since the last soufflé?

The Fat Years

I’ve been dining particularly well this summer. Fortunately, modern trousers have expanded capabilities, as manufacturers have thoughtfully included elastic waistbands.

I do feel better after gym visits, but the needle on the scale doesn’t budge (do you think the fat is being converted to muscle, he asks hopefully?)

Skipping breakfast is not the approved way to compensate, but one uses the tools at one’s disposal. I am definitely limiting caloric intake today after last night's outing at the Iron Gate in Belmont, where we celebrated the continuation of a beautiful friendship.





The next table ordered the Steak Diane. No, the Fire Department wasn't called.




The Grand Marnier souffle takes 30 minutes to prepare and must be ordered at the beginning of the meal.