cakes@neighborhoodriorancho.com
(505) 962-4121
Ext. 4121 (505) 238-2445 (Cell)
COVID-19 UPDATE:
- 95% of NiRR residents, staff and contractors are COVID free as of today’s date. We are waiting on the remaining results.
- Any staff or contractor who tests positive must quarantine 14 days and test double negative before returning to work.
- No residents or staff in all levels of care have exhibited symptoms.
- All Staff and Supportive Care Residents continue to be monitored with temperature checks and the DOH mandated questions.
- Independent Living residents are welcome to get your temperature checked at the hospitality desk during operating hours (M-F 8 – 6 p.m. and Sat. & Sun. 9 – 5 p.m.)
- If Independent Living residents would like to get tested, there are many testing sites in Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. In a prior communication, I gave information on the Balloon Park on Alameda.
- No residents or staff in all levels of care have exhibited symptoms.
DINING INFORMATION:
- Dining staff will deliver meal tickets to all IL apartment niches by noon the day prior.
- Residents will then fill out and put ticket on niche no later than 8 a.m. the next morning.
- Delivery or pick up options are available.
- If you prefer pick-up from Haverland Hall, write your preferred time on ticket.
- The full dining menu is being offered.
- If you would like some other item other than the daily menu, write it on the bottom or the back of the ticket.
- DINING ROOM EXTENSION TO CALL: 4156
- Sara is returning so Bistro menu will be expanded.
- No delivery for the Bistro orders (please place order Extn. 4224 and pick up).
PONDEROSA PATIO:
- Ponderosa Patio is open to enjoy your take-out but limited to two per table.
- Enjoy the shaded patio with Porta Coolers (thank your Plant Ops Team!!)
- Enter Ponderosa Patio through Haverland Hall on the west side of lobby.
MASKS: Mandatory when in public in New Mexico except eating, drinking or exercising.
TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF NM: Anybody traveling to New Mexico from out-of-state, including New Mexicans, whether by car or air, you MUST quarantine 14 days. Staff will have this requirement too. We have many gems in New Mexico for day trips or overnight trips.
LIFE ENRICHMENT NEWS: If you haven’t heard, Linda Topf, Transportation Coordinator, is wanting a change of pace. She had planned to leave sooner but then this word COVID-19 came into our vocabulary and messed up everyone’s plans, including Linda’s. I have worked with Linda for many years and she will be greatly missed. She has so much knowledge and experience especially as it relates to trip planning. This is exactly the next career path Linda will be transitioning to. We have the position posted and Linda has graciously agreed to stay until the position is filled which should be by mid-August. Linda developed “New Mexico Places to Go and Things to Do” below.
Linda has enjoyed planning trips for all of you here at the Neighborhood. Traveling with you has been the highlight of her time here. She looks forward to planning bigger trips with Expedia Cruises. She will plan Land, Air and Sea travel for you to the destination of your choice. Linda will also be planning group trips open to everyone. A trip to Idaho is being planned for Fall 2021. Other trips being planned are a 4-day cruise along the Mexican or the California Coast, a Trans-Atlantic cruise and an ocean to ocean cruise through the Panama Canal, in 2021 & 2022. Being part of a multi-national travel agency gives everyone who travels the best destinations for the best price.
When not planning travel, Linda will be spending time up at Pendaries, in her trailer; enjoying her grand-daughter and waiting for the current situation to improve. She looks forward to traveling when it is safe to do so. Contact Linda at 505-999-7846 or ltopf@expediacruises.com. Her website is www.expediacruises.com/lindatopf.
NEW MEXICO PLACES TO GO & THINGS TO DO
ALAMOGORDO
Located in the southeast part of NM, 228 miles and 3.5 hours away, its attractions are numerous and interesting. Take Hwy 25 South, past Socorro to Hwy 380 and head east to Carrizozo, then south on Hwy 54 to Alamogordo. Travel time
Check out https://alamogordonmtrue.com/ for the places to see and things to do besides the NM Museum of Space History.
Combine this trip with a night in Cloudcroft.
CLOUDCROFT
Located South and East of Albuquerque, this winter wonderland is great for a summer visit also. It is a 3.5 to 4-hour drive. Take Hwy 25 South, past Socorro to Hwy 380 and head east to Carrizozo, then south on Hwy 54 to Alamogordo then east on Hwy 82.
The Lodge in Cloudcroft is a great place to stay and to eat. Call ahead for reservations since they are operating at 50% capacity. https://www.thelodgeresort.com/
Other accommodations are listed here: http://www.cloudcroft.com/lodging.htm
There are lots of restaurants and sights to see. http://cloudcroft.com/info.htm
LAS VEGAS
Located in the Northeast corner of the NM, It is a history buffs’ idea of a vacation. Las Vegas, 115 miles and 1.45 hours away, is close to the place where the Mountain Branch and the Cimarron Branch of the Santa Fe Trail came back together. Fort Union was close by, protecting the trail. It was even in the running to be our state capitol! 900 structures in LV are on the Historical Register. LV is truly a step back in time.
For a historical treat stay at the Plaza or the Castaneda Hotels. And for a good meal, eat at Charlie’s Bakery and Café.
Amtrak stops in Las Vegas, next to the Castaneda Hotel, so consider traveling by train. https://www.visitlasvegasnm.com/
SANTA FE
The states Capitol is 55 miles away and takes about an hour to get there. The Plaza is the heart of Santa Fe. Historic buildings circle the Plaza and go out in all directions. Three historic Church’s grace Old Town; the Basilica of St Francis, the Loretto Chapel and the oldest church in the US, San Miguel Chapel.
Restaurants abound with something for everyone. Try Mexican, Spanish, French and American cuisine. You will not go hungry. The Plaza has several hotels for an overnight stay.
Take the Rail Runner for a comfortable and scenic trip to and from Santa Fe.
https://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe/Things_to_Do/Historic_Sites/index.html
SANTA ROSA
Travel back to the 50’s and travel the famous Route 66 to visit Santa Rosa. Located 134 miles and 2 hours east of Rio Rancho, this town of cars with fins and Artesian Swimming Holes is where the cool kids got their kicks. Wear your Poodle skirt to the local diners for a down home meal; then explore the historic downtown. https://visitsantarosanm.com/
SILVER CITY
Located in the Southwest part of NM, it is an adventurer’s dream destination.
It is more than the Gila National Forest or the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Those are great reasons to visit Silver City but you will find many more reasons by visiting: https://www.visitsilvercity.org/
Silver City is a 4-hour drive and 254 miles south. Take I25 then go west on Hwy 152 to Santa Clara, then west on Hwy 180 to Silver City. You might stop in Kingston and Hillsboro, ghost towns on Hwy 152.
Accommodations are available in and around Silver City so you can get the view and adventure you want.
TAOS
Places to visit on the way to Taos: Rio Grande River Gorge Bridge on Hwy 64: this mid-60’s built bridge is the 10th highest bridge in the US. A face lift in 2012 brought new sidewalks for visitors, so take a nice walk and enjoy a great view of the Rio Grande River below.
Earthship Biotecture: Turn off Hwy 64 and enter a fantasy place with fantastic and fanciful designed structures that serve as a visitor center, weekend getaway and homes. Guided Tours are available. Make reservations for a tour at least 2 weeks in advance. www.earthshipglobal.com/visit-us
Due to government restrictions, Kit Carson museum and the Taos Pueblo are not open currently. Check their websites before going to Taos, for updates.
Day Trips to Eagle Nest, Angel Fire and the Cimarron Canyon Park will add beauty and adventure to your trip.
TRUTH OR CONSEQUENCES
This city located 2.5 hours and 168 miles south of Rio Rancho, on I25, changed its name back in the 60’s, to the name of a popular TV Game Show. I know many of us remember that show.
T or C, for short, is built around hot springs and you can stay in hotels that offer hot springs soaks to their guests. Sounds enjoyable.
The big draw for that area is Elephant Butte, a huge reservoir used for outdoor and water activities. But there are other things to do, like visiting the famous Spaceport. Call ahead to book a tour. You won’t regret it. http://www.torcnm.org/visitors/index.php
https://www.spaceportamerica.com/visit/
Ghost towns dot the area west of Truth or Consequences. Take Hwy 52 off I25 to Cuchillo, Winston then Chloride. Chloride is my favorite, a real Ghost town.
On Hwy 152, south of T or C, are the ghost towns of Hillsboro and Kingston. East of T or C was Engle, a train stop on the old Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe line. Goods travelled between Engle and the other ghost towns. The other ghost towns would send their ore and other goods to Engle for shipment east. You can also see what is left of Engle if you take the Spaceport tour when you cross the train tracks and turn south.
https://www.sierracountynewmexico.info/ghost-towns-and-historic-villages-of-sierra-county/