INFO

 

 

This web page provides useful information on various subjects (but may be dated).
In addition to looking here, you will find other information under the following SMRNA web site links:

The following is an evolving alphabetic list of information. If you have information that you think others would find useful, please contact the Webmaster via e-mail at  webmaster@smrna.me or fill out the contact form.

This web page has been password protected to protect the personal information about people within SMR that is sometimes included in the information below.

Animal & Pet Sitting & Baby Sitting & House Sitting:
(for Lost & Found Pets, see “Pets-Lost & Found” Below)
  • Julie Fulwiler (recommended by Kathy Pohorence)
    • While You’re Away
      281-3724 or 220-3563 (cell)
      She’s bonded, insured, and takes care of other people’s pets in the neighborhood as well. We’ve had her pet sit for years now and she’s great. She will also do other small tasks around the house if you want her to. I highly recommend her.
  • Chris Brady
    • My experience includes the usual house pets, plus a variety of rodents (mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, Grasshopper Mice, Kangaroo Rats, and other native “field mice” species; snakes, lizards, amphibians,fish, birds from finches and doves to parrots, cockatoos, macaws and raptors b.lineatus@gmail.com.
  • Vickie
    • Sherry Rogers had Vickie stay with her Rottweilers three times now and has found her to be outstanding, both with her dogs and with keeping in close touch with Sherry. Vickie’s cell number is 505-850-2974 and in Sherry’s experience Vickie responds most quickly to text messages. Please tell her Sherry recommended her and you live in SMR, just so Vickie will know where you live.
  •  
  • Brooke Windsor
    • I have used Brooke Windsor several times and she comes and takes care of my 2 very large dogs and stays the night with them. She is almost 14 years old and has shown incredible maturity and compassion for the dogs. You can email her mom, Lorraine to get in touch with Brooke at windsorsrus@gmail.com. (Recommended by Kandi Collier)

Appliance Repair:

  • Sapphire Mechanical
    • 281-9273
      (recommended by David & Cheryl Smith)
  • Sarah Valenzuela
    • (Sarah’s Appliance Repair)
      688-4005
      (recommended by Amber Pearce, Matthias Bark & Christine Brady, Maureen Morley and Sherry Rogers)
  • Dunagan Appliance Service
    • Edgewood
      286-0991
      (recommended by Norma Silva)
  • Arrow Service Pros Appliance
    • Jeff Terrell
      Edgewood
      933-4248
      (recommended by Steve & Christine Wagner)

Asphalt Contractor:

Automobile & Truck Repairs & Sales:

  • Hodges Automotive
    • Jack Hodges-Owner, who is a resident of Sandia Mountain Ranch
      292-7698
      (recommended by Chuck Marple and others in SMR)
  • Hometown Automotive & Tire
    • Stacy & Zan Spurlock-Owners, they are residents of Sandia Mountain Ranch
      298-5404
  • Houston Wholesale Cars, LLC
    • Stacy & Zan Spurlock-Owners, they are residents of Sandia Mountain Ranch
      255-5200
 

BEARS – Be BEAR Aware at Home:

  • Making sure your home and yard are bear-proof is an essential part of making our community safe for both bears and people.
  • Here’s what you can do:
    • Never feed the bears! Not even once! It’s illegal to feed bears for any purpose. Bears generally will avoid humans unless they grow accustomed to eating human food or garbage. When bears become accustomed to eating human food, they often are a threat to human safety and it leads to their destruction.
    • Keep your home bear-attractant free. Don’t attract bears to your property with available garbage, bird feeders, bird baths, fruit trees and berry bushes, gardens, compost, dirty barbecues (grease cans or drip trays) or pet food.
    • Don’t leave any garbage outside near the house or on decks. Store garbage in closed, sturdy cans kept inside a shed or garage. Put garbage out on the day of pickup only.
    • Make bird feeders inaccessible to bears by hanging them 10 feet off the ground or higher or take them down. Hummingbird feeders should always be brought in at night.
    • After BBQing outside, make sure the grill is thoroughly cleaned and store it in a closed sturdy shed or garage. Bears will destroy BBQs that have even the slightest lingering scent of food.
    • Don’t leave pet food or pet dishes outside and don’t feed pets outside.
    • Don’t leave food in cars. Roll up windows and lock doors. Don’t leave behind gum, mints, Chapstick or even empty wrappers.
    • Don’t leave accessible windows or doors open or unlocked, especially lower level windows. Screens are not bear-proof. Bears can and will climb through open windows and doors.
    • Use specially designed bear deterrents – remotely triggered lights, noisemakers, and sprinklers – to discourage bears from entering your property, especially while you are away for extended periods. You can also purchase Bear Pepper Spray at most sports stores.
    • If you encounter a bear while walking or hiking, remain calm and don’t make eye contact. Talk softly and back away slowly. Do not run. Give the bear plenty of space and an easy escape route. If you encounter a bear at home, stay in a doorway and yell, bang pans, etc., to let the bear know it is not welcome.
  • Help to keep the whole neighborhood safe by encouraging your neighbors to follow bear smart practices, too.  Thank you.

Use the checklist below to help bear-proof your home:

  • Garbage problems can be solved with the purchase and correct use of a bear-resistant garbage container.
  • Wait to put trash out until the morning of collection day.
  • Don’t leave trash, groceries or animal feed in your car.
  • Keep garbage cans clean and deodorize them with bleach or ammonia.
  • Store garbage in the garage or a sturdy shed.
  • Harvest fruit off trees as soon as it is ripe, and promptly collect fruit that falls.
  • Only provide bird feeders outside during November through March and always hang feeders so they are inaccessible to bears.
  • Don’t leave any scented products outside, even nonfood items such as suntan lotion, insect repellent, soap or candles.
  • Keep barbecue grills clean.
  • Keep pet food and pets inside.
  • Keep doors and windows closed and locked. Scents can lure bears inside.
  • Consider installing motion-detector alarms, electric fencing or motion-activated sprinklers.

Bear Discouragement:

  • Spray garbage cans and bags with “OdoBan”
    (Recommended by George and Linda Eaglefeather-East Mountain Coalition)

A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear:

  • Once conditioned to human sources of food bears will seek them out. This creates conflicts with humans. Attracting bears to urban areas can also increase risk of vehicle collisions, harming both humans and bears. The bear’s behavior will not stop voluntarily, and unless the nuisance behavior can be corrected, bears may be killed to ensure public safety. In order to avoid these deaths, food sources must be removed.

Carpet Cleaning:

  • RJ Carpet Cleaning
    • 828-2830
      (recommended by Norma Silva, she has used them twice and was happy with their work both times)
  • Rug Doctor
    • rental from Smith’s in Edgewood
      (recommended by Brian Swainston)
  • J&E Carpet Cleaning
    • Joe
      280-1858
      (recommended by Zan Spurlock, she has used the past 10 years for both their home and their Albuquerque Business)

Concrete Work:

  • KTM
    • Kurt Bower, General Manager
      715-5481 ext 901
      (recommended by Steve Winstead)
  • Michael Sibley
  • Matt Risacher (MR Concrete Inc)
    • 286-1070 or 306-0065
      (recommended by Steve Wagner)

Dentists:

  • In March of 2011, Kim Mousseau asked the “Neighbors” for dentist recommendations, and she received the following:
  • Dr. William Gardner
    • 8200 Carmel Avenue NE, #101
      Albuquerque, NM 87122
      505-828-View
  • Dr. Ridgeway
    • 7520 Montgomery Blvd, NE, Suite D1
      505.872.8800
  • Dr. Daniel Martinez
    • Wyoming, just south of Paseo
      505.881.7337
  • Dr. John David
    • Grant Davis Gribble Dental
      3610 Calle Cuervo NM
      Albuquerque, NM 87114
      505.898.1976
  • Edgewood Family Dentistry
    • (Dr. Zach Currie lives in SMR)
      1851 Old Highway 66, Suite C
      Edgewood, NM 87015
      505.281.0373
  • Dr. Thomas Heflin
    • Paseo & Montgomery
  • Dr. Eric Smith
    • Los Lunas, NM

Dishwasher Detergent Suggestions:

  • Question from Sherry Rogers (about which type of dishwasher detergent to use in the dishwasher):
    I bought a new dishwasher.  I’m confused about which products are best out here… liquid or powdered to use in the new dishwasher.  I remember from previous conversations that some work better than others, but for our septic systems is it important to use only liquid?
  • Suggestion from Albert de la Garza:
    Just a single observation given to me by a dishwasher repair person: Since I have a water softener I need to use less soap than usual.  According to him the usual amount of soap in softened water results in excessive foaming which leaves that filmy residue on the dishes.  His recommendation was to use about half the usual amount of dish soap.  I switched to loose powder and fill the soap cup about half full.  I also use Finish brand “Power Up” booster that someone in the community had recommended.  This combination seems to work for me.

Drywall Repairs:

  • Ed Martinez
    • 203-1321
    • (Recommended by Tom & Kathie Clifford)

Earth Moving (Post Holes, Grading & Rock/Gravel Work):

  • Justin Orr
    • 908-1268

Eateries in the East Mountain Area:

  • The above link takes you to a page of information (including: name, location, telephone number and link to their web site or a menu) of the local Eateries for the East Mountains.

Electrical, Heating & Air Conditioning:

  • Dave Harder
    • 362-4822
    • 17 Sandia Mountain Ranch Dr
    • David is owner of Harder Electrical and Mechanical and can provide any electrical, heating and air conditioning (including boilers and standby generators). He’s right down the street! He has an A rating on Angie’s List and A+ rating with the BBB.
  • Truelight Electrical
    • 344-6055 Chris
    • Chris is the owner
    • (Shari Herrington says that he does great work.)

Engine (small) Repairs:

  • Brian Mareau
    • Horizon Small Engine Repair
      Edgewood
      720-6051
      Just want to let everyone know that if you need your lawnmower, riding lawnmowers, chain saw , anything with small engines Brian can fix it. He has been in business for many years. He has worked on my rototillers (sold one of them for me) wood chipper and I just left a chain saw with him. He charges fair prices for his work and has done the work in reasonable time. Note, It is a hoot just to see his yard and hundreds of old small engines, lawnmowers, go carts, riding lawnmowers, etc! I’m sure he will have any part you may need for any of you older stuff.
      (recommended by Chuck Marple)

Garage Door Repairs:

  • Robert Haskins
    • East Mountain Door Company
      Tijeras
      281-5770
      I just had Robert Haskins from East Mountain Door Co come by and fixed my garage door. I was very happy with his work and price! He is a one man shop, he said that he used to work for Windsor Door for many years before he started his own business. I would call him again if needed and recommend him to anyone.
      (recommended by Chuck Marple)

Gardening Resources:

  • High Country Gardens
  • Jeff Hunter
    • 286-1025
      Jeff does all sorts of outside work.
      He has been helping Jack Brownell and David & Cheryl Smith with their problems with a mistletoe infestation and bark beetle problems.
      Jeff indicated that he can do other landscaping work as well.
      Both Jack and the Smith’s have been very please with his work, his attention to detail and his attitude. We all highly recommend him.

Gated Community (Making SMR a Gated Community):

  • There has been numerous requests over the years to create a gated SMR community.  This could help address break-ins, nuisance solicitors, and generally making this a safer community.  However, as you will see below this is probably not practical.  The topic of making SMR a gated community was most recently addressed at the 2013 Annual meeting and creating a gated community presents several challenges:
    • 100% of ALL land owners would have to approve such a change.
    • The costs of everything related to a gated community would probably require the Neighborhood Association (NA) being reorganized as a Homeowners Association (HOA).
    • The covenants would have to be changed for all four SMR Phases to change from a NA to an HOA.
    • In a neighborhood where only about one-third of the homeowners are willing to pay the $50 annual dues for a NA, it should be evident that obtaining the approval of 100% of the land owners to signup for expenses that could run several hundred dollars per property per month is probably not practical.  These expenses would include, but are not limited to:
      • Contracting for and covering all expenses for road maintenance, repair and building up reserves to replace or resurface all the roads in the future.
      • Contracting for and covering all expenses for snow removal.
      • Contracting for and covering all the expenses for fencing in and installing several gates, plus the expense of maintenance and repair of these items.
      • Obtaining and paying for insurance to cover any property liability.
      • Having Board Members and Officers that have the time and expertise to manage a HOA.
      • Obtaining and paying for liability insurance covering the Board of Directors, Officers, and any employees.
      • Contracting with and paying a management company to bill and collect payments from homeowners.
      • Paying a Management Company to contract for and monitor the maintenance and repairs of the common property of the Homeowners Association (roads, gates, fencing, etc.).
      • Paying someone to manage the expenses and pay the bills (bookkeeper or CPA).
    • Additionally:
      • There are challenges with emergency vehicles (fire/EMT) gaining access to the neighborhood in an expedient manner.
      • There are probably many numerous other unidentified issues that would have to be dealt with as well.
        Even with a lot of effort on many people this process would be very expensive and probably not result in 100% participation of all the land owners.  Without which this can not be accomplished.

House Cleaning:

  • Christal Hall
    • Trail Dusters
      264-4556
      If anyone is looking for a house cleaner, she is a great one; honest, particular, friendly and very hard working. (recommended by Sheri Meeks)

Landscaping:

  • Gonzales Landscaping
  • Outdoor Creations Unlimited
    • (formerly Lawnscapers Grounds)
      823-0910
      This is the Landscaping Company that did the work around the SMR Entrance signs in 2011.
  • Adrian’s Yard Service
    • 440-7030
      From Steve & Alison Winstead: “We have over 50 trees that we planted during the last three years, mostly Austrian pines, to try to create a wind break and privacy screen.  We didn’t realize how much upkeep was involved and over the past three years they have become overgrown with grass and weeds.  This week Adrian’s Yard Service came out and took care of all of the trees we planted.  They dug up all the weeds and grass, built nice bowls around them to hold water, and then put plenty of mulch on all of them, all during the hottest week so far this year!
      Adrian gave us a reasonable price considering how hard the work was that we gave him, and best of all, he is willing to come out to the east mountains, where other landscapers on Angie’s list turned us down. He also has a discount for seniors.
      Adrian has an ‘A’ rating on Angie’s list and we are very happy with his work. If you need help in your yard this summer we highly recommend him.”
  • Coyote Landscaping Services

New Mexico Fire Information:

The Office of Emergency Management:

  • The Office of Emergency Management (including local police, and the NM Department of Homeland Security) sends out text alerts to warn the public about inclement weather conditions or dangerous situations.
  • You can sign up for this text alert system at www.nixle.com .
  • Good way to stay informed in case of an emergency situation.

Pests (Mice):

  • Critter Control
    • 892-6519
      (Recommended by Jack Hodges & Kim Mousseau)
  • Chris Brady
    • She has live traps and bate to lend. She can show you how to set them, she will pick them up from you, and release the mice into designated wild land open space areas away from houses. However, it would still be a good idea to hire a pest prevention professional to locate and seal up access points to your house/garage. You can contact her at b.lineatus@gmail.com.

Pet Care:

  • East Mountain Animal Care
    • Kathy
      505-286-1603
      (Recommended by Willie and Julie Nipp)
      They provide great personalized pet sitting care at your home.
      Additionally they will provide services like watering plants, turning on and off lights, etc. per your request.
      We have been using them for approximately 5 years and have been very happy with the services we have received.
      Please find contact information below to contact them or us with questions.
  • Peaceful Home Passing

Pets-Lost & Found:

  • (provided by Tricia Love)
  • Once in awhile a neighbor will send out an email about a lost or found pet.  If no one claims the pet in a short period of time, neighbors could checkout www.eastmountainpetalert.org .  It is run by a wonderful gal named Joyce Lewis, who lives in Cedar Crest.  The site lists info and photos of lost dogs from the East Mountains (mostly). It also list resources to help connect owners to lost/found pets.  Joyce also sends out email notices to a list of many, many of us in the east mountains including veterinarian offices, when a pet is lost or has been found.  It is a wonderful resource.
    Meanwhile, a few simple things someone can do if they’ve lost or found a pet –
    • Take the pet to a vet to see if the pet has a microchip.  If so, you will get the pet owners name and address.
    • The Mountain View Telegraph prints free lost/found ads.  Send email to class@mvtelegraph.com.  Deadline is 4 PM Tuesdays for Thursday’s publication.
    • The Albuquerque Journal runs free lost/found ads for 1 week.  Email address is classads@abqpubco.com.
    • Also, www.fidofinder.com ∞ is a good resource to post lost or found pets.
      I hope this helps our furry friends to get reunited with their families.
  • Here is another resource (provided by Lisa):

Plumbing, Water Softeners & Leak Detection:

  • Matt Burns (lives in SMR on Western Saddle Drive)
    • 732-322-4641
      (Recommended by Claudia Risner)
  • Signature Plumbing
    • (Recommended by Lee Anne Schulte)
  • Francisco Lucerno
    • (used to work for Sunshine Plumbing, and now has his own license)
      252-0398
      He has done partial and full plumbing, heating and cooling installation, including water softener installs, on all of the homes Jake & I have lived in the past 16 years.
      (Recommended by Jake & Mary Chavez and also by Cheryl Johnson)
  • General Information for dealing with Hard Water:
    • Pour a cup of vinegar or so into the dishwasher during every rinse cycle (Shawn & Amber Pearce)
    • Finish Power Up with Boosting Action in the dishwasher
      (Mike Chynoweth, Merle Chor confirms this works)
    • Lemi Shine in the dishwasher (Brad & Tanja Lackey)
    • Lemi Shine instead of Jet Day for rinse agent (Al Padilla)
    • Kinetico Water Treatment System (Mike Knellinger & Chuck Marple & Samette Gilbert)
  • Abel Plumbing & Heating
    • (recommended by Mark Williams)
      205-8409
      2500 Garfield Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
  • Union Jack Plumbing
    • (recommended by Mousseau)
  • Jones Plumbing
    • (recommended by Byrd)
      363-7568
  • American Leak Detection
    • (recommended by Emmanuel Hernandez,
      Emmanuel also recommends that you have Entranosa’s Water Bill Leak Protection service, to cover unexpected leaks)
      296-1757

Rain Barrels:

  • Thought those of you who are having problems diverting water from your canales and harvesting the water might be interested in a kit you can purchase at Home Depot. I found out about it and received a copy of the related info (click here for more information) from Emmanuel Hernandez (our neighbor – aka Eman) who has installed several of these. I’m sure he would be happy to show you his installation.
    (Recommended by Mike Chynoweth and Emmanuel Hernandez)
  • Lisa Davis was looking at “The Independent” newspaper, and noticed that they county is still offering 100 gallon rain barrels for only $40. If you don’t have one already — you should really consider getting one! Placed strategically — they can fill up very fast, and are great for watering garden areas and helping to save our precious water resources. Here’s the link — if you’d like to fill out an application: www.bernco.gov/water .  When we got ours – they delivered it in no time, and even set it up for us. (Recommended by Lisa Davis 8/23/12)

Remodeling:

  • I wanted to pass along the name of a great guy to help with any remodeling you may need to have done — Greg Greenwood. His specialty is doors and window repair but he does a lot of other things as well. Vince and I hired him to repair all of our doors. He had to rehang them, replace the weather stripping and hang storm doors. He always showed up on time, finished in less time than he originally estimated and charges were very reasonable. A real upstanding guy. He can be reached at 505.205.6164.
    (Recommended by Kim Mousseau)

Road Clearing (County Responsibility):

Road Conditions:

Roofers:

  • BMC Roofing Inc
    • Paul and Charlotte Ortiz, Owners
      897-3766
      (Highly recommended by Angela Padilla (6/11/19))

School information (provided by Sarah Chavez on 5/20/2012):

  • Our entire neighborhood is in the Moriarty-Edgewood school district. It is my understanding that the line is somewhere near the overpass to the freeway so that the Woodlands is split between APS and Moriarty-Edgewood. Interesting that you ask because I heard a neighbor say that someone told them we are part of APS.
  • Schools are Rt. 66 Elementary, Edgewood Middle School and Moriarty High School. I know that the middle school bus comes up Sandia Mountain Ranch and then to Western Saddle Dr and then out thru Naomi to Saddle Spur. A couple of years ago the HS bus did the same. My oldest is now at Moriarty HS and she went to Edgewood MS.
  • Feel free to call me if you need any more info: Sarah 977-7737

Snakes and other Critters:

  • My name is Chris Brady aka “Birdie” as my friends and colleagues call me. I’m a field biologist / wildlife ecologist and would be happy to help you deal with any snakes or other critters you might find sunning on your porch and hunting insects in your garage. I live at 9 Western Saddle Dr., phone 505-286-7959. If they slither and glide, I’ll take them for a ride!
  • Chris – CALL ME ANYTIME AT 909-204-9798 (CELL – you can also TEXT) or 505-286-7959 (home) and I WILL COME PICK UP ANY SNAKE, ESPECIALLY RATTLESNAKES AND RELOCATE THEM TO A DESIGNATED OPEN SPACE.

Snow Removal:

  • David Harder
    • (SMR Neighbor) at 286-5744
      (Recommended by Mike Chynoweth)
  • Carl Sanchez
    • (SMR Neighbor) at 459-0621 or 281-2562
      (Recommended by Mike Chynoweth)
  • Brandon Sanchez
    • (Young Adult SMR Neighbor) at 303-396-3370
      If you need a driveway plowed please let me know I live at 107 Sandia Mountain Ranch.
      $25-50 depending on your driveway.

Steps Home Owners Should Take to Protect Their Home:

Stucco:

  • Stucco by Jose (Jose Gonzales)
  • The Wall Specialist
  • Sal Guerrero
  • Southwest Stucco Services
  • Bug Off Stucco
    • Pat Hitchcock
      220-3171
      (two referrals)
  • RJ Contractors
    • 269-3532
  • Mike (painter)
    • 663-5588
      (Angela Baum said he was a great painter but not sure if he did stucco)

Swamp Cooler Shutdown and Startup:

  • Handyman Herb
    • 505-452-6551
      Herb is local in Edgewood and can take care of all your swamp cooler service. He also does other work, you can talk to him about other work projects. Very reasonable rates, and the best part he shows up on time when he is supposed to.
      (Recommended by Terry Pehrson)
SWCC (Southwest Coordination Center)
Weekly Area-Wide Intelligence Assessment
(of the fire situation in NM, AZ, Western TX):

Weed Killer Recipe:

  • Weed-Be-Gone
    1 Gallon Vinegar
    2 Cups Epson Salt
    1/4 cup Dawn Dish Soap (The Blue Original)
    It will kill anything you spray it on.
    Just mix and spray in the morning, after the dew has evaporated.
    Walk away.
    Go back after dinner and the weeds are gone.
    (recommended by Mike Chynoweth)

Window Washing:

  • Fred Jaques
    • 980-8385
      Fred’s Window Washing-Is not only a great professional window washer, but he is a genuinely nice guy. He meets his promises and works his appendages off.
      The best kind of guy to do business with! Our highest recommendation!
      (Recommendation came from Bob & Joan Dunlap)