Archive for the ‘ Local Businesses ’ Category


Taste of Rio Rancho New Mexico Restaurants

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
May 15th, 2012

Over 20 local restaurants and cafes dished out thousands of samples of their product at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Enchantment Helicopters

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
May 15th, 2012

 

Enchantment Helicopters in Albuquerque is the only helicopter flight academy in New Mexico. Located at Double Eagle II Airport on the West Side of Albuquerque, because of the high local altitude, they are able to offer training in flight conditions that few pilots experience. Their program can take a student all the way to a career as a Certified Flight Instructor. The school’s training craft of choice are Robinson R-22 (2 passenger) and R-44 (4 passenger) helicopters.

One afternoon we took a discovery ride over Rio Rancho, New Mexico. We circled the Civic Center, the new Presbyterian Rust Medical Center and a number of subdivisions bordering Unser Blvd. The flight was smooth and fun!

In addition to flight training, Enchantment can provide a great aerial photography platform. If you’ve ever considered a career flying helicopters, but don’t want to go the military training route, give them a call.

Video: Presbyterian Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho Opens!

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
October 20th, 2011

Rio Rancho New Mexico’s first full service hospital is open! Presbyterian Rust Medical Center is holding a huge grand opening party for the community Saturday October 22nd, but they have already performed over 20 surgeries, have one patient recovering in their new 68 bed patient tower, and the city’s first hospital born baby was delivered there on Wednesday. We were fortunate  enough to attend a special pre-opening event co-hosted by the Rio Rancho Regional Chamber of Commerce and received the grand tour. The building is stupendous, with lots of natural light throughout, large comfortable patient rooms with a convertible couch/bed for family stay overs, and enough high tech to make NASA  jealous.

Emergency room services were formerly handled at a Presbyterian office at High Resort Blvd and Hwy 528, but they have now been transferred to the new hospital.  There’s even a helipad on the grounds. Services to be offered at the new facility include:

  • Inpatient Services
    • Mother-Baby Care
    • Critical Care
    • Neonatal Intensive Care
    • Orthopedic
    • Surgery and General Medical
  • Outpatient Services
    • Emergency Care
    • Full Imaging Services
    • Surgical Services
    • CVL/Interventional Radiology lab

VIDEO: HARRIS JEWELERS IN RIO RANCHO OFFERS “WIFE INSURANCE”

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
October 4th, 2011

 

Harris Jewelers and Gemologists is the largest jewelry store in Rio Rancho, NM.  This is not the typical mall jewelry store, but an exceptional collection of jewelry professionals who do award-winning custom design work, engraving, jewelry repairs, appraisals and watch repairs. If you want to know the difference between FL-IF and VVS-2 diamonds, these are the people to see.  The store has grown several times in the last few years, and you will often see their one-of-a-kind designs up for charity auction at the annual Mayor’s Ball. The store also carries product from dozens of the world’s most famous designers of jewelry and watches, including Breuning, Gitani, Seiko, Palladium, Citizen, Claude Thibaudeau and more.  Watch the video below to meet the owners, Karen Fitzpatrick and Marc Guerin, then pay then a visit for some “Wife Insurance”.

14 Screen Premier Cinemas Theater Opens in Rio Rancho, NM

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
July 7th, 2011


Premier Cinemas recently opened a new 14 screen all digital theater in Rio Rancho, NM. The projection systems are completely electronic, without any film involved, and therefore are also without the dust, scratches and other defects that come with it. Rio Rancho had been without a movie theater for about 20 years. Premier Cinemas CEO Gary Moore presided over the grand opening. In a first for the company, fans were invited to watch a movie or two for free on opening day. The theater boasts 4D presentations utilizing D-Box motion seating which moves in sync with action scenes in the movie. The city utilized gross receipts tax investment policy incentives to attract and secure the new facility, which is located near the corner of Unser Blvd. and Southern Blvd.

Quiet Waters Paddling – Highest Rated Day Trip on the Rio Grande!

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
June 3rd, 2011

I’ve been paddling a kayak around many of the New Mexico lakes surrounding the Albuquerque / Rio Rancho area for several years. I’ve also experienced white water rafting in the Taos Box area of the Rio Grande, but I have to say that the experience of a five hour float through the Class One waters of the river between Bernalillo and Albuquerque is a totally different experience. You are not fighting to stay afloat or to not get dumped into boiling waters. Compared to lake paddling, you don’t have to work nearly as hard to get somewhere. Instead, you are experiencing the sky, the flora and fauna along the banks, and the “flow” of the river with relative ease.

Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures is unique in that they not only provide the shuttle service from beginning to end, the boats (kayaks or canoes), paddles and safety equipment, they also provide a guide to get you down the river in style. (Self guided tours are also available for more experienced paddlers.)

Sunset Magazine recently described Quiet Waters Paddling as the #1 outdoor day trip in Albuquerque.  High praise, when compared to say, the Sandia Peak Tram, the Bio Park, and some of the available hot air balloon adventures. New Mexico Magazine called them their favorite trip available on the Rio Grande.

The tours are suitable for paddlers of all ages and skill levels. Temperatures and water flow conditions are suitable from spring through most of the fall. The company has sufficient equipment to handle large groups, making it a great activity for convention attendees, business organizations and others. You can visit Quiet Waters Paddling Adventures at 105 D Pleasant View Drive, Bernalillo, New Mexico. Call them at 505 771-1234 or toll free: 877 45-FLOAT (877-453-5628).

A weekend breakfast (or lunch) option – Geo’s Mobile Bistro.

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
May 29th, 2011

Sometimes you find good things where you least expect to… Most weekends at the Idalia Road Marketplace in Rio Rancho you will see a small, mint-green trailer on the South side of the grounds. This is Geo’s Mobile Bistro – a small business run by George and Jan Menza. Visit early in the morning and you might see a line of hungry patrons lined up waiting to order or pick up one of their freshly made breakfast burritos. I seem to be addicted to the one made with turkey sausage, 2 eggs, green chili and cheddar cheese. Note that I did not say shredded potatoes. You won’t find cheap filler in these burritos.

Visit the Idalia Road Marketplace.George and Jan’s menu extends well beyond breakfast burritos. They draw on their years of experience running Geo’s Restaurant on Southern Blvd. to decide what their customers might enjoy.  They sold the restaurant some time ago, and now with their fully equipped trailer they can provide food service almost anywhere in the state.

Consider a visit to the Idalia Road Marketplace to check out their great food. It’s open weekends through Oct. 30. Saturdays 9-2, Sundays 10-2. Located at 1320 Idalia Rd, just north of Northern Blvd. in Rio Rancho.

Video: Gearing Up With High Desert Bicycles…

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
August 23rd, 2010

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.

Rio Rancho, NM cracks the Top 100 Places to Live and Launch – Again!

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
July 16th, 2010

Rio Rancho NM City Hall

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
High temp in July ° F 85.2° 86.2°
Low temp in Jan ° F 15.1° 21.3°
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.

Video: Straight Chiropractic – Fighting Subluxation in Rio Rancho, One Patient at a Time!

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
July 7th, 2010

When we visited Straight Chiropractic in Rio Rancho, we found it to be a really first-class operation.  Their philosophy is that chiropractic care is not just about occasional adjustments, say when you are hurting, but is a part of a larger process of overall health care, including good nutrition, exercise, limiting the use of drugs and medications, etc. Dr. Brad Fackrell owns Straight Chiropractic, although other doctors practice alongside him as well.  He offers weekly classes in the evening on a variety of subjects for patients and visitors who are interested in improving their health.

When patients commit to a program, they can come in for adjustments at times convenient to them, from very early to some evening hours. Dr Brad’s use of technology in his practice helps patients get in and back out quickly, while keeping the quality of care high.  His office staff is friendly and knowledgeable, most often greeting patients by name on sight.  We had the opportunity to sit in on a staff meeting at day’s end when filming there, and the positive attitude, the supportiveness  and conviction of all the employees and doctors was astounding.  In January of 2010, the practice moved into larger quarters within the same shopping center off Southern Blvd.  You can reach Straight Chiropractic at 505 507-9355. They are located at 3301 Southern Blvd. Suite 105 (next to the Albertson’s Grocery Store)

(Note) On the first day we were filming at Straight Chiropractic the staff was holding a special event where everyone was wearing matching T-shirts.  Although the office atmosphere is casual, Dr. Brad is usually dressed more conservatively than shown in parts of the video. The fact that he went on camera wearing the special T-shirt speaks to the fact that his focus is on patient health and wellness, which we believe is to his credit…

Video: Progress in Green2V Solar Plant Construction

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
June 27th, 2010


We’ve been keeping an eye on the construction site for the new Green2V Solar factory, which was announced about 8 weeks ago.  A construction office trailer, storage container, and a generator have been sitting on the large, cleared site for many weeks. Construction was projected to begin “June 1, 2010 or soon after” on the 125,000 sq ft 1st phase of the project, which could eventually hire 1500 local employees. Rio Rancho administrators have been waiting for the company to produce funding before the city completes the $6.9 Million land purchase for the factory.

This week there was some activity at the site – the generator was on, running the A/C for the building. Later, telephone equipment was being installed in the trailer, so it appears that the construction management company (Reid and Associates, it appears) is moving ahead with preparations to start work soon. We’ll keep you informed as further developments occur.

Meet your friends at the Idalia Road Marketplace in Rio Rancho!

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
May 23rd, 2010

The Idalia Road Marketplace is an outdoor shopping hub of great food, arts and crafts, music, entertainment, and local and organic fresh produce. The next time you’re looking for someplace different to go on a Saturday or Sunday morning, give IRM a try.  Don’t eat breakfast before you go… you can get a great breakfast burrito, a fruit smoothie, great coffee, and some luscious French pastries there! I visited today, and bought some fresh yellow squash, some HUGE Haas avocados and some fresh corn on the cob – all for about 30-40% less than the price I’d pay at  a commercial grocery store (they were bigger and fresher too)! This is the first outdoor marketplace in the Rio Rancho area, and the owners (Marc and Phyllis Calderwood) have gone all out to provide a great retail space for the vendors, and a pleasant and different experience for shoppers. Give it a try!

Green2V Solar Cell Plant – Rio Rancho NM Location

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
April 9th, 2010

This is just an update to a previous blog reporting on Green2V’s new manufacturing facility to be built in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.  Some people did not know where the plant would be located, so we have obtained a photo/map showing the exact location, courtesy of the Rio Rancho Economic Development Corporation.

Green2V Location Map

Rio Rancho NM Becomes Home to Green2V Solar Cell Manufacturing Plant

Written by Mark T Fiedler - The Mark and Sheila Team
April 7th, 2010

New Mexico State and Rio Rancho City leaders announced today that Green2V will construct a one million sq foot manufacturing facility in the City of Vision. The company plans to break ground within the month on a 124 acre site to be acquired from the State Land Office.  As with all such transactions, the process is a little complicated – The City of Rio Rancho will buy the land from the State for $6.9 Million. Green2v will supply the land purchase money to the city.  Rio Rancho will speed the project through permitting and approval processes, and will be installing $7.2 Million worth of roads, sewers and other infrastructure.  Part of the facility’s contruction costs will be financed by $500 Million in Industrial Revenue Bonds issued by the city, to be paid off by Green2V over time.  Certain taxes on property and capital equipment will probably be waived for a period of time, as is common to entice a project of this size to locate here.

The construction will be done in phases over a 5 year period. The first phase will hopefully be completed in time to make and ship product by Summer, 2011.  Eventually the plant may employ 1500 workers.

Green2V’s CEO, Bill Sheppard was formerly a Vice President at Intel, and was partly responsible for much of the expansion of that plant in the early 2000’s. The company’s slogan –  “Sand to Kilowatts” refers to the fact that they intend to control all aspects of their product creation, from the raw materials to distribution and installation.