Parkland Village Nonprofit Supports Elderly Neighbors
No more ladder climbing to change a light bulb. Help is on the way!
Also…
Last Week to Vote in Participatory Budgeting
Nob Hill Neighborhood Association Distributes Biannual Newsletter
Monte Vista Medians Update
Boulders to Be Installed at Yale Smith’s
Parkland Village Nonprofit Supports Elderly Neighbors
No more ladder climbing to change a light bulb. Help is on the way!
Story and photos by Sequoia Rudolph
Candy Nartonis recalls reading on Nextdoor about a nearby potluck to discuss neighbors helping neighbors. She made a fruit salad, showed up and soon became involved with “lovely people who were committed to enhancing the quality of life for the elderly in the Parkland Hills and Southeast Heights neighborhoods,” she said.
Now, Nartonis is the president of that group of ‘lovely people.’
Parkland Village, part of the national Village to Village Network, is a group of volunteers who assist their senior neighbors and those with disabilities. Nartonis, an artist, had no background in elder support but was attracted to the ‘pay it forward’ message of their mission to “help seniors and others stay in their homes as long as possible by providing appropriate services through volunteers.”
“Life has been good, I want to help in making it good for others. I want to make sure people in our neighborhood don’t fall through the cracks,” she said.
Currently there are 33 volunteers providing support to about 59 neighbors in the Parkland Hills and Southeast Heights area, according to Nartonis. Each volunteer is carefully vetted, their driving history reviewed and they are trained on expectations and protocol. But mostly, they need to be willing to donate time and attention to members of the community who may be homebound, need services, help walking their dog, or just the comfort of a cup of coffee with a friend.
There are five categories of service offered by the organization: transportation, light household tasks, light yard work, technical assistance, collegiality and learning experiences.
Parkland Hills resident Eva Ceskava has been in her home since 2013 and is grateful for the support that makes it possible for her to stay there. Ceskava requires assistance with light yard work and sorting through her mail once a week. “I’ve been able to create my own family through the Village by making friends. There are people I can reach out to, including Candy. Without them I would need to move, and I don’t want to do that,” she said.
Turk, her dog, is a watchful greeter full of barks and wags when volunteer and Parkland Village founder Mara Hoffman arrives to help Eva sort through the mail.
Hoffman touts the quality of services offered. “All of the volunteers bring different strengths to the table. They are such talented people. Most are retired, but a few are still employed. All are ready to help their neighbors in need,” she said.
A monthly social event is hosted by Parkland Village where members can gather to learn about various topics such as local history, origami or backyard birds. “Sometimes it is a relief to have a place to join in,” said Hoffman.
Ceskava added, “Humans are social creatures and it’s necessary to be connected to each other to survive.”
But while Parkland Village does want to help residents stay in their homes, there is an upper limit. “I tell members to stay in their place, but be smart. If the home is wearing you out, it’s time for a change,” Nartonis said. “We are not a medical service so when the needs are too great, the next of kin will get involved.”
In addition to the yearly dues, the community raises funds through an annual photo contest geared toward the Parkland Hills and Southeast Heights neighborhoods. The best photos are selected to adorn greeting cards and calendars, which are sold online to support the cause.
Membership to Parkland Village costs $150 for a single person or $200 for a couple per year. Financial assistance is available if needed. Persons with special needs of any age are welcome to join. Visit the website to become a member, volunteer or join the mailing list.
Last Week To Vote In Participatory Budgeting
City Councilor Nichole Rogers is trying something new. For the first time in Albuquerque, a vote is being held to determine how a councilor’s $1.5 million set-aside funding for capital projects is spent. Traditionally, city councilors themselves have decided what capital improvement projects should be done in their district.
Project ideas were submitted and refined through a lengthy community-driven process, and the finalists are being voted on now. The deadline is April 19. You must live, work or study in District 6 and be at least 11 years old to vote.
Click here to submit your ballot.
Nob Hill Neighborhood Association Distributes Biannual Newsletter
Delivery of the Nob Hill Neighborhood Association Spring 2025 Newsletter to approximately 3,000 Nob Hill residences is well underway, according to the association. The newsletter, which is compiled and delivered through volunteer efforts twice annually, offers a wide-ranging glimpse into news, events, reflections and other area insights.
The two-toned printing, achieved through Riso printing (a unique, eco-friendly process involving rice paper), is published in Nob Hill at Next Chapter Studio.
If you live outside of the delivery zone, you might still be able to pick up a copy at Michael Thomas Coffee (202 Bryn Mawr Dr SE).
Friday Night Feature
Monte Vista Medians Update
The city is expected to complete its months-long upgrade of Monte Vista Boulevard sometime in the next few weeks. City spokesperson Dan Mayfield said that the project is meant to both slow speeds and beautify one of the main entry points to Nob Hill. According to Mayfield, 11 new medians between Lomas Boulevard and Campus Avenue will be landscaped as soon as the spring weather cooperates and crews become available.
The medians are accompanied by narrower lanes to help reduce speeding and prevent crashes. 5,700 cars travel the diagonal street daily.
Nick Ferenchak, director of the Center for Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety, and an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico, thinks the city should continue to prioritize these types of projects. He expects to see safer conditions on Monte Vista with this renovation.
“If we want to address our worst safety issues, narrowing our larger roads is a great strategy,” he said.
Landscaping will consist of a mixture of shade trees, accent trees, shrubs and perennials. Look for a new bike lane and left turn lanes.
Boulders to Be Installed at Yale Smith’s
City spokesperson Dan Mayfield reports that the bollards on Coal Avenue in front of the Smith’s grocery store will be replaced with boulders - likely this week. Located at a curve in the road, the unlucky bollards are a constant target for wayward vehicles. The boulders will be sturdier and can be moved back into place after a hit.
In Other News
One-on-One with John Traub: General Manager of the Albuquerque Isotopes - ABQ Journal (4/12)
Correction
Friday’s edition stated that Quelab moved from the Sawmill neighborhood prior to recently relocating to the Sycamore neighborhood near UNM. They were actually formerly located in Wells Park.
