This adorable brown and gray Shorthair Chihuahua is available for adoption at the Rio Rancho Animal Control Shelter on Northern Blvd. He is about 5 years old, very affectionate, and likes to be held, once he gets to know you. His ID number is C10-001204. If you have room in your home for this little cutie, call the shelter at 505 891-5075 to confirm his availability, If he’s already found a new home, they have lots of other wonderful pets there ready for adoption.
The Rio Rancho Animal Control Shelter is located at 3441 Northern Blvd, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9-5. They close from 12-1 for lunch.
The weather for the recent 5th Annual Sundae is Funday event at Loma Colorado Park in Rio Rancho, NM was pretty darn perfect, encouraging what may have been the best turnout for this event ever! Not only was the attendance over the top, but the number and variety of booths and vendors was also a record. There were booths from local businesses, churches, political campaigns, animal adoption agencies, plumbing firms, government agencies and more.
In keeping with the play-on-words event title, there were a number of ice cream related events, including a 50 ft ice cream sundae, and the Mayor Swisstack Sundae, where Rio Rancho Mayor Tom Swisstack allowed children to turn him into a human banana split. (As I observed the carnage, the terms “nuts” and “gone bananas” came to mind.) The man is braver than I…
There was a display of classic and collectible cars, various children’s games and activities and a wide variety of family friendly fun. In keeping with the original concept of an affordable family event, food and drinks were free or very reasonably priced.
The day was co-sponsored by the Rio Rancho Kiwanis Club, the City of Vision Civitan Club, the local Elks Lodge and the Rio Rancho Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department. Proceeds are earmarked to benefit local Boy Scout Troops, the Rio Rancho Boys and Girls Club, and the Sandoval County Juvenile Justice Program and scholarships for children to participate in fee required recreation events. Co-Chairmen Dave Heil and Tony Popper plus Connie Peterson did a lot of the heavy lifting to make the event a success.
High Desert Bicycles in Rio Rancho, NM is a full-service bike shop offering a complete selection of bicycles, gear and accessories to meet the needs of riders of all skill levels. They carry a full line of Downhill and Mountain Bikes, Multi-Use Bikes, Comfort and Cruiser Bikes, Road Bicycles, plus Family and Children’s Bikes.
If you’re new to cycling, when you first walk into the Rio Rancho store you might be slightly overwhelmed by the wide assortment of product in the store – some of which might seem more appropriate as accessories for jet aircraft… However, if you put yourself in the hands of the very competent staff, by the time you leave you’ll feel comfortable about your selections. The sales staff is salaried, not on commission. From the time I have spent in the store, I found everyone there to be professional, knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic about cycling in all its forms.
Just like a car, a bicycle needs mechanical attention from time to time to keep it in top operating shape. At High Desert Bicycles, they offer basic through professional level tune ups and personalized fit analysis services from BG Certified Technicians. These technicians have completed extensive training in sports medicine methods of assessment and bicycle fit to make sure you get the most out of your cycling experience. Their prices for service also seem very reasonable.
There are over 400 miles (and counting) of biking trails in the Metro Albuquerque / Rio Rancho area. Before exploring them, be sure to visit High Desert Bicycles in Rio Rancho.
Almost 50% of our national military force is comprised of members of the National Guard and Reserve. Most of them also have jobs outside of the military.
Did you know that there is a federal law requiring that all employers, regardless of size, must do the following 6 things -
1. Allow employees to participate in Military Service;
2. Provide prompt reinstatement back into their former job following military service;
3. Continue accumulation of seniority, including pension plan benefits during service;
4. Reinstate health insurance on return;
5. Train or retrain job skills, including accomodation for the disabled;
6. Protect against discrimination based upon Guard or Reserve status.
To educate employers about USERRA (Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act), a DOD agency called ESGR (Employer Support of Guard and Reserve – Don’t you just love all the military acronyms?), regularly invites employers to participate in a “Boss Lift”.
This past week myself and a couple dozen other employers from the Albuquerque / Rio Rancho NM area were invited to the New Mexico National Guard Headquarters and Training Center in Santa Fe. We received some hands-on experience, training, and exposure to a number of military training scenarios. We got up close and personal with a Blackhawk Helicopter; several Military Humvees with weapons in place; explored a FOB (Forward Operating Base) set up to acclimate outbound soldiers with their living environments in the field; experienced the inside of a Humvee Roll-Over Trainer; and a VCOT (Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer). The group probably split as to the most interesting activity of the day, between rappelling down a 50 ft vertical tower, and firing laser-equiped weapons on the Virtual Firing Range.
Frankly, I was extremely impressed with the quality and technology of the equipment the New Mexico facility utilizes to train our local citizen-soldiers. I had no idea that their “classrooms” had progressed to this degree….
Getting back to the reason for our visit on base: What I took away from the day is that we can all do our part and more, for our friends, family members and employees in the Reserve and National Guard. If you have an opening to fill, consider hiring a Reservist or a Guardsman if possible. If they get called to duty, make sure they know that their job is one less thing they’ll need to worry about when they get back from protecting all of us while deployed. I’d also like to thank Lt. Colonel Shuert, Major General Kenny Montoya, and Gary Kaiser from ESGR for their time and the hospitality they showed our group.
The City of Rio Rancho is big on parades – including a Christmas Season Parade and a 4th of July Parade, but none of them approach the significance of the annual Memorial Day Parade. With the country slowly withdrawing from one war, and expanding another one, we all had good reason to take some to celebrate the contributions made by our men and women in uniform.
Following the parade there was a ceremony at the Rio Rancho Veteran’s Memorial.
With a high percentage of the active military contingent from New Mexico coming from the state’s National Guard and Reserve forces, we all need to support these organizations, their members and families. We’ll have more about the Guard and Reserves in an upcoming post.
You’ll find this Gorgeous Crest-Built home to be a cut above, with its Soaring Living Room, including an Architecturally Unique Wall of Windows. Enjoy the Warm Wood Laminate Flooring, Custom Paint, Solid Surface Kitchen Counters and Newer Stainless Steel Appliances. The 3 Car Garage is Heated and Cooled, with Insulated Doors (great for a workshop). Out back are Large, Mature Trees shading the Lush Green Lawn. Got wheeled toys? Then you will enjoy the Gated Back Yard Access.
One Saturday, I stopped in at the Idalia Road Marketplace in Rio Rancho to pick up some fresh fruit and vegetables. There were these two guys playing guitar and supplying some really great shopping background music. They were DJ Armijo and William Montgomery. I had my camera in the car, so I asked the guys to play their coolest piece. This is the result…
If you like their stuff, and would like to hire them to perform for you, you can reach them at 505 321 7057.
Fenton Lake State Park is located at 7900 feet elevation in the Jemez Mountains, about 65 miles Northwest of Rio Rancho, and about 10 miles off NM Route 4. The park consists of 700 acres of Ponderosa Pine forest and high mountain meadow land, plus about 35 acres of lake. The fishing’s good, and the lake’s stocked regularly with rainbow and brown trout. Supposedly, the fishing’s even better during the winter, (through 2 feet of ice) but I doubt I’ll ever verify that… Small boats are allowed on the lake, but only paddle-powered ones.
There’s a great campground in the park, with 40 developed sites – some with hookups, a playground, a group shelter and restrooms.
Although Cochiti Lake is a shorter distance from Rio Rancho (and a much larger lake), if you want more of a mountain-with-pine-trees environment in which to do some fishing and paddling, Fenton Lake’s the closest.
Watch as the foliage changes with elevation…It’s pretty interesting… Keep your eye out for the hummingbird too!
4 BR 4 BA Approx 3700 Sq Ft 3 Car Garage Built 2007
This is probably the nicest home currently for sale in Rio Rancho! Everything in this home says luxury and quality. You’ll love the gleaming cherry wood floor in the unique octagonal living room; the way the chocolate chip granite contrasts with the dark knotty wood; The high end Jenn Aire appliances; the soaring family room with the granite fireplace surround; and the walls of windows with the best Sandia Mtn view in town. The huge Master Bedroom Suite is downstairs. You’ll love it!
Located about half way between Jemez Springs and Battleship Rock, Soda Dam is an unusual geologic structure located alongside Route 4 in the Jemez Mountains. The dam was formed over thousands of years by depositing of minerals – primarily calcium carbonate, in minute layers to eventually build this magnificent structure. The dam partially blocks the Jemez River, sometimes creating a pool upstream. The materials were deposited on the dam by groundwater which seeped into the natural fault located nearby, was heated by volcanic rock deep in the earth, and which carried the dissolved minerals and gases back to the surface.
A number of active springs within the dam structure continue to carve small caves and streak the surface with color from various trace minerals.
So, you’re up for a little drive in the mountains… If you head west out of the northern end of Rio Rancho on Hwy 550, within a few minutes you’ll hit New Mexico Route 4 and San Ysidro. Route 4 is the 64 mile long main road through the Jemez Mountains connecting the Albuquerque / Rio Rancho area with the Jemez Pueblo, Los Alamos and the Bandelier National Monument.
A few miles north of San Isidro you will find the Canon de San Diego region, with its stunning red rock formations and dirt, rich with iron. The Jemez Pueblo is located here, although tribal laws do not permit photography of the pueblo or its people.
A few miles north of the pueblo, if you’re really paying attention, you will see a turnoff to the left (west) for Highway 485 – a 1 ½ – 2 lane back way into the Jemez Mountains. Although Route 4 is a quicker and wider road than 485, I find myself taking the road less traveled almost every time. The road crosses the Jemez River and goes up a narrow, steep rock canyon, following the Rio Guadalupe. A few miles in you will encounter the Gilman Tunnels. These 2 tunnels were originally built in the 1920’s to accommodate a logging railroad. Just past the tunnels, the pavement ends. In fact, there is a gate across the road at that point which is often closed well into May because of snow and poor road conditions until the spring and summer heat dries things out. The road is rough, but the vistas of the mountain meadows are worth the bumpy ride.
Once you complete the loop and rejoin Route 4, you will be within a short distance of 3 more of the region’s star attractions – Fenton Lake, Battleship Rock and Soda Dam.
Battleship Rock is easily seen from the road and is worth a stop. The large exposed rock face emulates the bow of a large ship – hence the name. The striking, 200 foot tall natural formation of welded volcanic ash is studded with glass-like obsidian rock. A river runs through the day-use picnic area at the base, and hiking trails abound.
Jazz music is alive and well in the Albuquerque / Rio Rancho Metro area. With dozens of venues and hundreds of performances each year, local jazz fans have lots of opportunities to satisfy their cravings…
Last week, Singer Cathryn (Cathy) McGill and Jazz Pianist John Rangel performed outside at the Prairie Star Restaurant, just over the Rio Rancho border in the Santa Ana Pueblo. Between the great food, the changing twilight vista of the Sandia Mountains, the rolling green of the Twin Warriors Golf Course, and the up-close-and-personal musical performance of two of the area’s top musical talents – it was a night to remember.
Cathy McGill and John Rangel were recently awarded the New Mexico Music Award in the Adult R & B category.
For more information about Cathy McGill, visit her website. John Rangel’s website can be accessed here.
This was already the nicest home in the neighborhood when the Sellers bought it a few years ago…. Since then they have added Gorgeous Crown Molding, Wood Laminate Flooring in the main living area, New French Doors, New Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans. Out back they built a Beautiful Wood Pergula over the patio. Do you have more than a couple cars? They also poured a 3rd Car Pad on the driveway. With quick access to Hwy 550, you can be in Albuquerque or Santa Fe in minutes. Come take a look!
The City of Rio Rancho was named #51 in the Top 100 Places to Live and Launch (a business) by Money Magazine in their latest issue. In 2006, Rio Rancho was #56 on the list, and was #83 in 2008. While there is some controversy about the magazine’s methodology in selecting their top 100, there is no denying that many things have been going right in Rio Rancho in the past few years…. Economically, Rio Rancho has been attracting a number of new and well known companies to settle here. Housing prices have remained moderate compared with much of the country, and the ups and downs of the national economy have had a lesser effect locally. You can see the statistical results for the latest rating below.
Rio Rancho stats
City stats
Best places avg.
Median family income
(per year)
$66,971
$90,957
Job growth %
(2000-2009)*
67.48%
15.71%
Median home price
$168,625
$239,391
Test scores reading
(% above/below state average)
22.5%
22.9%
Test scores math
(% above/below average)
41.4%
22.9%
Personal crime incidents (per 1,000)
3
2
Property crime incidents (per 1,000)
25
24
Restaurants
(within 15 miles)
1,316
2,967
High temp in July ° F
85.2°
86.2°
Low temp in Jan ° F
15.1°
21.3°
Median age
33.1
35.3
Financial
City stats
Best places avg.
Median family income
(per year)
$66,971
$90,957
Family purchasing power
(annual, cost-of-living adjusted)
$68,865
$86,860
State sales tax
5.12%
5.45%
State income tax rate
(highest bracket)
4.90%I
7.35%
State income tax rate
(lowest bracket)
1.70%I
2.96%
Auto insurance premiums
(Average price quotes, for the state)
$1,805
$1,707
Job growth %
(2000-2009)*
67.48%
15.71%
Housing
Median home price
$168,625
$239,391
Average property taxes
(2008)
$1,406
$3,418
Education
Colleges, universities and
professional schools (within 30 miles)
4
25
Test scores reading
(% above/below state average)
22.5%
22.9%
Test scores math
(% above/below average)
41.4%
22.9%
% students attending public/private
schools (located within town limits)
97.2/2.8
87.8/12.2
Quality of life
Air quality index*
(% of days AQI ranked as good)
68.0%
77.8%
Personal crime incidents (per 1,000)
3
2
Property crime incidents (per 1,000)
25
24
Median commute time (in minutes)
25.0
21.4
% population with commute
45 mins. or longer
17.3%
13.6%
% population walk or bike to work
1.1%
3.6%
Leisure and culture
Movie theaters
(within 15 miles)
17
31
Restaurants
(within 15 miles)
1,316
2,967
Bars
(within 15 miles)
61
207
Public golf courses
(within 30 miles)
26
162
Libraries
(within 15 miles)
31
72
within 30 miles)
3
10
Ski resorts (within 100 miles)
4
12
Arts funding (Dollars per person of state funds spent on arts)
1.4
1.5
Weather
Annual rainfall
(inches)
13.99
37.40
% clear days in the area
46
29
Meet the neighbors
Median age
33.1
35.3
Completed at least some college
(% of residents)
62.7%
71.5%
Married %
59.2%
56.6%
Divorced %
11.2%
8.4%
Racial diversity index
(100 is national average; higher numbers indicate greater diversity)
347.2
94.9
From the August 2010 issue
Notes: *County data
(I) Income tax notes:
The tax brackets reported are for single individuals. For married couples filing jointly, the same rates apply for income under $8,000 to over $24,000. Married households filing separately pay the tax imposed on half the income.
These states allow personal exemption or standard deductions as provided in the IRC.
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church is a small but growing congregation in Rio Rancho, NM. The church debuted as Rio Rancho Lutheran Mission in 1994, and adopted its current name when it joined the the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod in 1996. After holding services in a school cafeteria and a store front for several years, they built the first phase of their current facility on a hilltop near Pasilla Rd. and Highway 528. Reverend Kenneth DeSoto has been Pastor of the church since 2008.
In the Fall of 2002, the church opened a Christian Preschool, keeping the enrollment low, and quality high. Children 2 1/2 years through 5 years old are eligible for admission.
The address is 2400 Monterrey Road NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144. The phone number is 505-867-9554. Visit their website for a schedule of services and events: http://www.shepherdofthehillsrr.org
