Preschool Administrator Lenora “Ponie” Mojado thanked everyone for coming to support the children who will be able to take more field trips and have added classroom enhancements because of their generosity.

“Thank you so much for coming out tonight,” Mojado said. “This helps the preschool and kindergarten classes take trips throughout the whole school year. I want to say a special thanks to the preschool families who donated baskets, bingo items, and food for the preschool snack shack. We wouldn’t be here without you. I also want to give a big shout-out to the preschool parents, families, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents who helped the preschool during this entire school year. We truly couldn’t have done it without your support.”

Aside from the $20 admission ticket which included a delicious dinner by Tribal Chef Anita Morillo and crew plus four Bingo cards, raffle tickets, additional game cards and a 50-50 drawing opportunity were made available. The response was overwhelming as guests lined up to purchase more chances to win.

Geneva Mojado and Monica Herrera welcomed the sold-out crowd on behalf of the entire Tribal Council. They also assisted with those wishing to purchase additional cards or tickets and introduced the current Daughter of Soboba ($óvoova Po’$wáamay) Su’la Arviso, who was also lending a hand throughout the evening.

It wasn’t just community members who attended to have a great meal, spend time with family and friends and have a chance of winning some amazing prizes. All staff members from the preschool joined in to help out in many different ways. Most notably is the time they spent collecting donations for the 76 outstanding raffle prize baskets that filled tables across the front of the room. Weeks of preparation included selling all of the tickets before the big night.

The event also brought out volunteers from the Soboba Youth Council and members of the Four Directions club who earned high school community service hours for their work serving up pasta dinners, helping with raffle prize giveaways and more.

Raya Salgado, Chairwoman of Soboba Youth Council and Vice President of the Four Directions club at San Jacinto High School where she is a sophomore, was happy to help wherever she was needed. Joining Raya to assist with the fundraiser were fellow Soboba Youth Council members Shania Guacheno and Noyaaykit Silvas and fellow Four Directions club members President Moyla Arviso, Secretary Ginger Velazquez, Lokelani Basquez, Aisha Kabeer, and Irene Cervantes.

The Soboba Youth Council is hosting their own Bingo Night on June 12 from 6-8 p.m. It will be similar in structure, and they are hoping to attract game lovers from all over to participate.

Although Raya’s time was donated, she didn’t go home empty handed. Her father Jerome Salgado bought a lot of raffle tickets, and it paid off very well. One of the baskets he won contained an Insta360 action camera that Raya has been saving up to buy. As a photographer for school and community functions and sporting events, she has shared her talent and skill with many outlets.

Guests were able to put tickets in the boxes for the raffle prizes they liked best, so all lucky winners went home with something they truly wanted or needed. Buckets geared to movie nights and game nights were popular with families and children-themed buckets got the preschoolers excited.

Cellophane covered baskets and buckets ran the gamut from a variety of kitchen items such as air fryers, cookware and coffee pots to an outdoor gas BBQ grill. Soboba Rx compiled health-related items for men, women and children. Preschoolers who were attending the event with their parents had a say in which tickets were placed inside the box in front of baskets filled with activities geared toward the young set such as toys, games and plushies.

Soboba Tribal Environmental Department provided a bucket filled with energy-saving devices and a gift card for Roadrunner Express. Raising Cane’s donated one filled with Cane’s merchandise and a gift card for their chicken meals. Two portable generators and a 70-inch Roku TV attracted a lot of attention and a camping bundle proved there was something for everyone. Soboba Casino Resort offered a two-night deluxe room stay that included a round of golf for two, a voucher for $100 in slot play and a $200 dining credit at their award-winning Canyons Steakhouse.

Tellez Party Rentals donated a free jumper rental that included a cake from JT Bakes and the Noli Beading Club’s basket had beautiful jewelry pieces plus a children’s beading kit. Two Angels baseball baskets featured team merchandise and two admission tickets, courtesy of Leland Razon.

Soboba Foundation Sponsorship Coordinator Andrew Vallejos emceed the event for the third year in a row. As always, he kept the event flowing with his energetic and engaging style.

Pastors Albert and Virginia Duenaz of the Kut’-Poki Soboba Lighthouse church came to support the preschool where their granddaughter attends. She is a student in Ana Garcia’s pre-kindergarten class. Both help out at the school whenever they can.

Garcia was among the teachers that led tiebreaker games for two of the Bingo games. The first one resulted in a three-way tie. It was a preschool-themed color game where Garcia rapidly called out color names and contestants had to touch any one of the color sheets except that one. It took a few minutes, but Carrie Garcia eventually emerged the winner of the $200 payout.

The next tiebreaker resulted in a head-to-head cup stacking competition, also a favorite preschool activity. Preschool teacher Julissa Garcia explained that the two contestants had to stack 15 red SOLO cups on top of each other and then had to separate them out to create a pyramid of rows consisting of 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 stacked cups, using only one hand. Pepe Figueroa won and walked away with $200 cash. The third Bingo game was a solo win by Marian Chacon with no tiebreaker game needed. Although the fourth game, which was a blackout Bingo, resulted in a tie between Donna Hulstrom and Kristie Shear, they opted to split the prize money.

For players that wanted more action, additional game cards were available for purchase. Additionally, thanks to a generous donation from Alyssa Soza and Junior Medina, whose son Kavikvish Medina is a Pre-K student, two extra rounds of bingo were offered to those that purchased two special cards for $20. Each of those blackout games had a $500 payout.

Another moneymaker for the preschool was the presence of a snack shack offering all kinds of sweet treats and snack items. The popcorn machine was going nonstop as guests of all ages wanted some. Tara Placencia has volunteered to oversee the operation all four years as she has lots of experience running concession stands at various community events. She was happy to help knowing all the money raised is going back to the preschool. Placencia also donated and served her delicious iced tea and sweet tea, a perennial favorite.

Ponie Mojado ended the evening by giving a shout to all those whose participation and support before and during the event made its success possible. They are Tribal Council, Tribal Executive Officer Steven Estrada, Andrew Vallejos, Preschool Administrative Assistant Maria Hernandez, teachers and staff Julissa Garcia, Jess Thompson, Ana Garcia, Amanda Juarez, Alaina Adkins, Jasmine Basquez, and Rachelle Peterson. She also thanked “amazing chefs Anita, Arlene, Arturo, Perry, and pool staff who helped” along with SCR and staff Corryn Salgado Flores, Johnny Frandsen, and the Soboba Sports Complex. Those who pitched in from Tribal Administration included Ulises Pedroza, Bernadette Jones, Darlene Adkins and Jasmine Robinson, Miguel Rodriguez from IT and members of the Soboba Foundation. Other departments who stepped up were Tribal Family Services, TANF, Soboba Rx, SEDC, Roadrunner Express, and Noli Indian School’s Beading Club. Community partners were In-N-Out, Los Portales Taco Shop, Roscoe’s Promotions, Texas Roadhouse, Raising Cane’s, Stater Bros., LuLu Lounge, Tellez Party Rental, The Bay Customs, JT Bakes, Nails by Leslie, and the Daughter of Soboba Committee.

“Families that helped with organizing and donating baskets were Joey Placencia, Tara Placencia Taryn Placencia, Buster Mojado, Leland and Sunnie Razon, Marian and Hope Chacon, Pamela Miranda, Jillian Miranda and Aayla Sanchez, Sierra Vivanco Mendez, Alyssa Soza, Junior Medina, Crystal Maxcy, Louis Cervantes, Jamie Brittian, Taylor Girard, and Tanya Briones,” Mojado said. “We also had help from Soboba Youth Council, TANF We Lead members and the SJHS Four Directions Club. That’s a long list of incredible people and departments that care so much for our preschool children. We truly appreciate everyone’s support.”

Tickets for Soboba Youth Council’s Bingo Night on June 12 are on sale now at the Soboba Sports Complex for $25 each, which includes dinner and four game cards. Please contact Kaitlyn or Andy at 951-654-1319 with any questions.

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Soboba Parks and Recreation Activities Director Jennifer Garcia introduced a Witch Hat contest and a pumpkin carving contest for the first time. “Each year, I try to think of something new for the community to do as a family,” she said.

With more than 900 attendees, there was a constant flow of fun at each booth that featured ring toss, cornhole, Plinko and other carnival-style games for all ages. Several booths offered free takeaways and all of them had plenty of candy.

The Soboba Foundation decorated with a “Hocus Pocus” theme to hand out full-sized candy bars, while the Cultural Resource Department had reusable drinking cups and collection bags with different Halloween designs for all the guests. Sylvan Learning added a raffle for a lucky winner to receive a drawstring backpack filled with school supplies.

Members of H.A.L.O. (Helping and Loving Others) had a unique game of frybread toss. The group’s founder, Linda Resvaloso, said her granddaughter came up with the idea because the organization is known for making food for community families in need.

There was a competition among all the booths with Soboba Tribal Preschool being voted the best for their all-out decorations based on the “Coco” animated movie that depicts a Day of the Dead theme. They earned $150 for their efforts.

Second place and $100 was awarded to the Meza family for their “Thick with It” game booth. Seila Meza said her sister Emalee designed everything and picked the name. Seila’s son Matthew Durnin assisted at the booth, along with Brenda Arrietta who helped players with the lighted Plinko game.

Third place was won by the Noli Beading Club whose “Alienz” booth glowed green to earn them a $50 prize. They also donated hand beaded items that were raffled off throughout the night.

Each child was able to choose a pumpkin at the temporary pumpkin patch filled with orange autumnal orbs from the family-owned Wickerd Farm in Menifee to take home and enjoy. For those that got their pumpkins early, a carving contest resulted in two top winners. First place was awarded to Renae Garcia, who received a cash prize as well as a beaded medallion donated by the Meza family. The second-place carving, which also received a cash prize, was awarded to Jake Briones on behalf of his daughter.

Decorated witch hats were judged in different age groups and categories. Christian Aceves, Environmental Director for the Soboba Tribal Environmental Department, took home first place for most creative with his gigantic, oversized hat. “My team made this for me,” he said. “I have the triple threat of (Environmental Specialists) Katelyn Thomas and Loren Estrada, and (Administrative Assistant) Christine Rodriguez.”

Screams could be heard coming from the huge, haunted tent that attracted mostly teens who were treated to a frighteningly good time as they made their way through the dark recesses. The venue was created and hosted by the Department of Public Safety with assistance from Soboba Youth Council members Irene Cervantes, Aniyah Brittian, Shania Guacheno, Allynn Silvas, Noyaaykit Silvas, Raya Salgado, Rhianna Salgado, Jesse Venegas, Samuel Venegas, Giselle Fonseca, Ryan Brittian, and Jimmy Brittian. The Soboba Youth Council also hosted a 50/50 raffle as a fundraiser to support their many projects.

The costume contest, with participants divided into age groups, paraded in a circle to upbeat spooky music played by DJ Mike Nevarez as they were judged by Soboba Tribal Environmental Department Director Christian Aceves, SCR Supervisor Brenda Munoz and Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Eli Chavez.

With the cutest, scariest and most creative chosen in five different age categories, the competition was fierce. Winning costumed contestants through age 7 received gift baskets full of lots of sweet treats while those from age 8 through adults got a gift basket plus a $50 gift certificate, donated by Soboba Tribal Council.

“I was excited and thankful to all the departments and families that participated in this year’s Halloween carnival,” Garcia said.

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“We started working together when our kids joined Soboba Youth Council and we donated time to do food fundraisers,” Briones-Venegas said. “We’ve also done many birthday parties and family functions together. Aurelia volunteered us once to do a pop-up event together and we’ve been doing it as Frybread Kitchen ever since.”

Mendoza’s strengths for cooking are in the different meats that are offered, as well as combinations of foods and different flavorings for the food they make. Briones-Venegas loves to make the beans and is the frybread maker.

“We both make a mean salsa that adds flavor and spice to your dish,” Briones-Venegas said. “One of our main attractions that brought people to our booth and started this would be the Indian tacos and regular tacos.”

She added that her favorite food to make is a combination burrito because it can be changed up in many different ways and is always very filling. Mendoza’s favorite food to make is the birria Indian taco, one of their best sellers. The duo sets up their Frybread Kitchen pop-up two or three times a month depending on the event and location.

“One of our main events we try not to miss is the Soboba vendor pop-ups at the old casino parking lot held at the end of each month,” Briones-Venegas said.

The 2021 NIAA fastpitch tournament, hosted by Soboba has been one of the largest events they have served at so far. They served more than 400 people throughout the Sept. 17-19 event. Earlier this year, they got a steady stream of customers when they set up their kitchen at Soboba Casino Resort’s Food Truck Fiesta in May.

Serving their regular menu and then adding new items like stew and frybread, red chili meat burritos, breakfast burritos, and pozole can sometimes be challenging but the cooks want to keep experimenting with food combinations to see what customers respond to the most. They are always looking forward to adding new items to the menu and adding events they can cater for with a variety of new foods they will be adding.

“One of our biggest challenges is finding our supplies at our local stores in the quantities that are needed,” Briones-Venegas said.

As if maintaining the Frybread Kitchen wasn’t enough to keep these ladies busy, both have many other things on their plates.

“I am a mother of two high school teenagers and a wife of a hard-working husband,” Mendoza said. “Both my children are involved in school sports as well as tribal sports. I try and attend every game, if possible.”

In her spare time, she loves to cook new foods and look for recipes and dishes that can be added to the Frybread Kitchen menu. Lately, she’s been working on some baked goods and sweet treats to add.

“One of my favorite hobbies I turned into a side business is creating gift baskets for different occasions,” Mendoza said. “I recently started attending a low carb cooking class at the Soboba Sports Complex; I love learning new things.”

Briones-Venegas is a full-time mother and wife. Her kids are also involved in school sports and tribal sports, and she tries to attend all their games. She also volunteers to serve on different boards for the tribe. She has served on the Noli Indian School board for the past six years and is currently president. She serves as treasurer for the All Mission Indian Housing Authority board and recently joined the Soboba Foundation board of directors, where she serves as secretary.

“The one thing that I love about sitting on the different boards is that they all know my business comes first and they are always looking for opportunities for us and always giving feedback about our last sales,” she said, adding that their favorite part of owning their own business is that they can set their own hours and days. Both ladies agree that a highlight of being in this business are the opportunities to meet new people and connect with old friends.

“We would like to thank all of our returning customers and our new ones who will hopefully enjoy our food and come back for more,” Briones-Venegas said. “Our family-owned business would not be possible without the family that stands behind us. A big shout-out to our workers Antiana, Edwin, Grandma Connie, Orlando, Alyssa, Ciara, Jeremiah, Jesse, Kevin and Samuel.”

Follow them on Instagram to see where they will pop up next, @frybread_kitchen.

Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians | Contributed

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