In the 20-plus years Soboba has been hosting the annual N.I.A.A. event, it has gotten bigger and better each year with an increase in teams, vendors and sponsorships. This year they welcomed 18 men’s teams and 17 women’s teams at both the Sports Complex and The Oaks.

Before the first games got underway at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Tournament Chair, Soboba Vice Chairwoman and Soboba Women’s team pitcher Geneva Mojado conducted the opening ceremonies. This included presentations of two honorariums and introductions of Soboba Tribal Council members, staff, volunteers, and tournament committee members who were all thanked for their involvement.

Chairman Isaiah Vivanco said he was a tournament participant for many years. “I respect the competitiveness and I always enjoy coming out to watch. We appreciate the sportsmanship that happens here. We want to be sure your experience at the tournament and here at Soboba is great and that you will want to come back next year.”

The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians stepped up to the plate as a Grand Slam sponsor and several other Tribes were Home Run sponsors. All were thanked and appreciated for their support.

Thomas “Tommy Wong” Melendez Jr. was honored for a lifetime of memories. “Today, we celebrate a man who has spent more than five decades doing something he truly loves,” said Rhonda Valenzuella as Melendez was surrounded by family, friends and past teammates. Tommy’s love for the game started when he was just six years old, playing baseball in first grade. At age 12, he discovered fastpitch softball. From that moment on, softball wasn’t just a sport, it became a part of who he was. He played for countless teams and traveled to tournaments around the country, collecting something far more valuable than trophies—friendships and memories. “Tommy is an incredible dad and a devoted grandfather to seven grandchildren,” Valenzuella said. “Today, some of his greatest joy comes from watching those grandchildren play sports. After spending more than 50 years on the field himself, he now gets to sit in the stands, cheer them on, encourage them, and share with them the same love of sports that has been such a big part of his own life and that is where Tommy’s true legacy lives. The softball career may be retiring but the legend of ‘Tommy Wong’ never will.”

Melendez threw out a ceremonial first pitch for the men’s teams with his son Steven serving as catcher. This was followed by applause from spectators in the bleachers and players on teams that were about to take the field.

Gary and Tina Placencia were also honored and Mojado shared background about them during the presentation. “What began as a love for softball became one of the most meaningful parts of Gary’s life,” she said. He played with the Beer Nuts for many years, where many friendships were formed, creating bonds that stretched far beyond the softball field. In the early 1980s, he was asked to help coach the Soboba Women’s fastpitch team, a role he would return to on and off for decades. He was patient, encouraging, dependable, and steady. Through decades of games, tournaments, practices, and road trips, Gary became a constant presence in the lives of so many people. “This honor recognizes more than Gary’s years of participation in softball; it recognizes a lifetime of dedication, friendship, mentorship, and service to others,” Mojado said. “His impact will never be measured by wins and losses, but by the love, respect, and gratitude that remain long after he’s gone.” Tina was one of Gary’s greatest supporters, traveling with him and supporting the Soboba Women’s softball team through countless games and tournaments. But Tina made her own lasting contribution, volunteering with NIAA registration and wherever she was needed for many years. “Gary and Tina shared a love for this softball family and gave so much of themselves to it,” Mojado said. “Although they are both no longer with us, we know their presence and their legacy remain. We like to think they are watching over us from above and smiling as the tradition they helped support continues.

Gary’s brother Glen threw out the ceremonial first pitch, surrounded by many members of the Placencia family and close friends and teammates.

Before the blessing and birdsongs by the Inter-Tribal Birdsingers, who gathered near the pitcher’s mound, Wayne Nelson said, “Our songs are social to bring everyone together so you are all welcome to come join us.”

Each team was guaranteed three games which lasted 80 minutes or seven innings, whichever came first. For the first time, all four fields were utilized at The Oaks and some of the men’s games were played there. Bracket play determined who would be included in the final games, played at the Soboba Sports Complex on Sunday.

Taking home top honors for the men were Randy’s A’s from Canada with Scott Leiph (T’Sou-ke First Nation) chosen as MVP Pitcher. Second place was won by Cali Reds and Vincent Nelson (Rincon) was named MVP Player. Third place was the MMC (Morongo Men’s Club) and Hostilez placed fourth.

All-tournament honors for best-performing individual men’s players went to Wade Kewageshig (Saugeen FN), Ethan Lans Adams Lake FN), and Gus Wilson from Randy’s A’s Heiltsuk FN); Orrin Murphy (Pechanga) and Mike Calac (Rincon) from Cali Reds; Steven Normand (Peguis FN) and John Silvas (Soboba) with MMC; Lefty from the Hostilez; and Bradly Guachino from Baad Medicine.

The Morongo Women’s team topped the women’s division, as they did last year. Kali Sargent (Washoe Tribe) was named MVP Pitcher. The Misfits took second with Alex Hernandez (San Pasqual Tribe) chosen as MVP Player.  The Youngins were third and fourth place went to Rezilience. Receiving all-tournament honors for best-performing women’s players went to Vernita “Nita” Filmore (Washoe) and Aaliyah Gibson (Oklahoma) from the Morongo Women’s team; Marisa Muse-Gabrielleno (Tongva) and Danielle Magante-Jones (La Jolla Band), from the Misfits; Moyla Devers (Pauma Band) and Paàila Devers (Pauma Band), with the Youngins; Arlene Stone (Bishop Paiute) and Jessica Manuelito (Bishop Paiute), from Rezilience; and Morgan Belone (Navajo) with the New Mexico Dream Catchers.

Noel “Kimo” Alvarez is captain of the Beernuts men’s team, which he has played on since he was 15. His position is third base and pitcher. He said the team participates in various tournaments, so they don’t have designated practices. The were in Lemoore, near Fresno, just a few weeks ago. The first game of the weekend pitted them against the Banning Renegades.

Captain John-Robert Sibole has been on the Banning team for 30 years and said there are lots of family members on the team as well. They last played at the Morongo Cultural Heritage Days at the end of August. “I like the culture, having fun, and just rez ball itself,” Sibole said. “The best part about this tournament is that it’s all-Native.”

Vendors offered a variety of foods, clothing, jewelry, hats and other accessories. Shay Arviso of Hemet was there for the first time with “The Stacked Joint” sandwich booth as well as general snack bar fare. She typically sets up weekly at the San Jacinto Farmers Market. “I’m a (San Diego) Padres’ fan so this worked out great,” she said.

A fundraiser for the Soboba Men’s Fastpitch team was taking place at the concessions stand at the Sports Complex Field 1. Iyana and Antiana Briones stayed busy serving up tacos, burritos, nachos and hot dogs. Derrek Cervantes, who plays second base and left field for the team, said it is made up of mostly Soboba Tribal members led by coach Phill Basquez. Money raised during the weekend will help offset costs of traveling to softball tournaments.

Next year’s N.I.A.A. tournament will be held on the third weekend in September, which is Sept. 17-19 and the committee has promised there will be some special surprises.

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Preschool director Lenora “Ponie” Mojado welcomed everyone by saying, “Today we want to celebrate all the special grandparents who fill our kiddos’ lives with love, wisdom, and the sweetest memories.”

In keeping with the event’s theme, she shared that just like apples on a tree, every grandchild grows stronger because of the care, support, and guidance given to them by their grandparents.

“Apples start small, but with sunshine, water, and time, they become bright, strong, and full of goodness,” she said. “That’s exactly what you do for our little learners—you help them grow with your kindness, your stories, and all the hugs you share.”

Mojado thanked them all for “being the roots that keep our families grounded and the branches that help our children reach for the sky.” She expressed her gratitude to those who attended and said she hoped the celebration reminded them of how loved and appreciated they are.

After performances by each class, pre-k teacher Ana Garcia provided a blessing, and lunch was served by the preschool teachers and staff. The walls were decorated with posters declaring, “If apples were grandparents, I’d pick you,” and “Tiny seeds grow mighty trees,” among others.

Easton Lewis is a pre-k student who was excited to spend the morning with his Nana Heather Baeza, grandmother Tara Soto, grandfather Nicolas Soto, and great-grandmother Margaret Swan. He shared the gifts he made for them including a laminated page with his photo and the following “Sweet Grandparents” message: “An apple is red, an apple is sweet, just like my grandparents who can’t be beat! You pick me up when I’m down, you help me grow all around. You’re kind, you’re fun, you’re the best there is! I’m so lucky to have you—I love you more than you know!”

Patrick and Tara Placencia had four of their 10 grandchildren with them, two of which attend the preschool—Talla Grant, who is in pre-k and Layla Placencia who is in the youngest class. Some of their handmade gifts included a framed recipe for Crock-Pot Applesauce and wooden flowerpot holder from Talla with her miniaturized handprints and a canvas tote decorated with Layla’s colorful full-sized handprints.

Shannah Modesto and Enrique Medina are grandparents to 11, which includes kindergartner Kavikvish Medina. They also have great nieces and nephews that attend the preschool. The youngster’s other grandmother, Amber Soza, said her favorite thing about being in this role is “watching your own child parent theirs.”

Tukaamawish “Dada” Briones, 3, has four older siblings who all attended the Soboba Tribal Preschool. Tracy Briones, said her grandchildren bring her lots of joy and help her feel uplifted when things are hard. His other grandmother, Patty Coronado, has nine other grandchildren and said, “It’s nice to see them growing up and watch them reach all their milestones.”

Renee Rhodes’ youngest of seven children is kindergartner Laylah Robledo, who was happy to share the day with her great auntie Carlene Masiel, who is related to four other preschool students, and her grandmother Betty Arres.

“I love cooking for them,” Arres said. “They love to eat and nobody goes hungry.”

Sonia Modesto is a teacher at Noli Indian School and was joined by her husband Lawrence Modesto Jr. as their grandchildren applauded them at the event. Nikiilish is in preschool and Neqpikat “Neqo” is in kindergarten. Sonia was happy that Nikiilish’s teacher coaxed her to take part in the performance with her classmates.

Having raised a son and a daughter, Sonia said, “I like that I get to do everything over again.”

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Hosting a Scholastic Book Fair in the fall and spring gives parents the opportunity to purchase some of their children’s favorite stories to enjoy when they are not at school. Preschool Director Lenora “Ponie” Mojado was pleased with the strong turnout.

“The parents, students and teachers always enjoy the book fair; I also invited managers and other departments to join in,” she said. “We estimate that over 100 books were sold. This is a wonderful outcome for our preschool and kindergarten classrooms, providing funds for student gifts and new books that will enrich their learning environments.”

Mojado enjoys purchasing the Monster Truck books for her little cousins, and is also a big fan of Jory John, the author of The Smart Cookie, The Bad Seed, and The Cool Bean.

“The book fair has some Halloween and fall-themed books by Jory John, and I’m hoping to add those to my collection as well,” she said. “He’s my favorite author.”

The most popular book characters among the preschool children are Monster Trucks and Bluey, along with Paw Patrol and there were many titles in those series to choose from.

“Whenever they see their favorite characters at the book fair, they get so excited,” Mojado said. “Many of them enjoy picking out books and setting them aside at the register with their names on them. They often ask, ‘Can I write my name on the sticky (note) so no one takes it?’ and I always tell them yes, of course. The children truly enjoy all the books from the book fair. The girls especially love Disney Princess books, cat-themed stories, and journals with a lock and key. Overall, a wide range of genres is popular. When the children see the books, their eyes light up—it’s wonderful to watch.”

The teachers also enjoy the opportunity to promote reading to their students. As adults with interest in genres that range from non-fiction and romance to true crime, mysteries and inspirational, all enjoy reading to the kids in their classes.

Popular titles for the teachers to read to children in all three classrooms with children ranging from 3 to 5 years old include books by Eric Carle, especially The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

“It is very relatable to them because kids love to eat, and they love the science of the caterpillar morphing into a butterfly,” kindergarten teacher Betsy Post said. “They are in absolute disbelief when they finally see a beautiful butterfly emerge from its cocoon. Such a fun story!”

The Pete the Cat series is also popular.

“The catchy songs and themes in these books are great attention grabbers for children,” preschool teacher’s aide Jess Thompson said. “Also, any child-friendly books that are based on sharing, hygiene, how to be kind, ways to calm down, etc. are also my favorites. These types of books are a great way to introduce or review self-help and social-emotional skills.”

Pre-kindergarten teacher Ana Garcia said her students also enjoy Pete the Cat. “The students stay engaged because of the catchy repetitive songs and storytelling,” she said. “Children love to move and dance and sing along, making a fun interactive experience.”

Julissa Garcia loves sharing Pete the Cat and Llama Llama with her three-year-old students. “I love how Pete the Cat books have a musical tune to it so I can be more animated as a reader and they have fun learning concepts like counting, colors, problem-solving, and more,” she said. “Llama Llama books have a big selection that cover relatable topics for our preschoolers.”

She said reading to her students is an engaging way to connect/bond with children. “You never really know how often your students are read to at home, so as a teacher in the classroom, I take any opportunity to nourish their interests in books,” Garcia said. “It helps develop their language skills and builds their reading comprehension while gaining more understanding of the world around them. Children can also relate to certain characters in books they are exposed to, or they can even use their imaginations with more fictional characters.”

Pre-k teacher’s aide Amanda Juarez feels reading to children is important because it helps them develop language skills, it helps improve their cognitive development, helps with bonding and helps them with school.

“Reading to children is the foundation for everything they will learn later,” Ana Garcia said. “Reading to children introduces them to new words and teaches them language sounds.”

Post said kids thrive when they use their imaginations, especially while reading a book themselves or as they are being read to. She said their fluency grows and their understanding of new vocabulary explodes as they read.

“Children are like sponges. When reading to them, they pick up on all the words coming from the book, whether you notice it or not,” Thompson said. “Exposing them to different words or stories expands their vocabulary and also builds their literacy skills. From experience, I’ve noticed when reading to a student one-on-one, our bond grows. Being able to connect to something or someone in a story with them makes our connection stronger. Even if there is nothing to relate to in the story, just taking the time to read a book together allows them to see that they are important and a priority of mine.”

Each shared their thoughts on the most important skill students should develop to help them begin reading on their own, which is a goal at the preschool.

Julissa Garcia said being able to actively listen to a story first, then begin to retell the story in their own words is critical. “Utilizing props like visual cards to sequence the order of events in a story, puppets and dolls/figurines, and simply answering questions about the book are all great practices to build on those skills,” she said. “Students should also acknowledge books by learning the parts of a book (front cover, backside, spine, title, author, illustrator) and reading/turning pages from left to right. Also, beginning to understand that letters are symbols that make words, and that text has meaning is very important.”

Ana Garcia believes the most critical skill is letter sound and recognition combined with a love for books. She said that once children learn letters that represent sound it helps build confidence they will need to start reading words independently.

“In my opinion, phonics, print recognition, and vocabulary are great skills to develop before being able to read individually,” Thompson said. “Being aware of how text in books flow from left to right and understanding that words have sounds would be a great start.”

Juarez feels learning phonological awareness will help students begin reading on their own. Post said having confidence in themselves is the skill that helps new readers become fluent readers.

“The more they practice reading, the more fun reading becomes,” she said.

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Showtime is 9 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m., according to Soboba’s entertainment listing. The venue is at 22777 Soboba Road. The show is 21 and older.

Ticket information is listed from $42. Event page: https://soboba.com/entertainment/calendar/event-center/john-waite-with-special-guest-john-cafferty-the-beaver-brown-band

Waite is known for “Missing You,” “Change,” Bad English’s “When I See You Smile,” and The Babys’ “Isn’t It Time.” Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band are known for “On the Dark Side,” “Tender Years,” and “Hearts on Fire,” according to the event submission from Cord Media on behalf of the venue.

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Showtime is 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m., according to Soboba’s entertainment listing. The venue is at 22777 Soboba Road. The show is 21 and older.

Ticket information is listed from $82. Soboba’s site points buyers to soboba.com/entertainment or (866) 476-2622. Event page: https://soboba.com/entertainment/calendar/event-center/george-lopez

Lopez is known for the ABC sitcom George Lopez, the late-night show Lopez Tonight, and stand-up specials including America’s Mexican, Tall, Dark & Chicano, It’s Not Me, It’s You, The Wall, and Muy Católico, according to the event submission from Cord Media on behalf of the venue.

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Showtime is 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m., according to Soboba’s entertainment listing. The venue is at 22777 Soboba Road. The show is 21 and older.

Ticket information is listed from $89. Soboba’s site points buyers to soboba.com/entertainment or (866) 476-2622. Event page: https://soboba.com/entertainment/calendar/event-center/scotty-mccreery

McCreery won Season 10 of American Idol in 2011. His debut album, Clear as Day, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was later certified platinum. Hit singles listed by the promoter include “Five More Minutes,” “This Is It,” “Damn Strait,” and others. In 2024 he was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, according to the event submission from Cord Media on behalf of the venue.

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The interior and exterior were traditionally blessed by Tribal member Wayne Nelson on July 30 to offer a new beginning. This was followed by an open house to share the finished project with the public.

“During COVID, we were fortunate to get some ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) dollars from the federal government and one of the things we could spend that money on was facility related,” Chairman Isaiah Vivanco said.

ARPA made federal funds available to help state, local and Tribal governments recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and enabled the Soboba Band to purchase the then-vacant property.

“We realized that simply remodeling it wouldn’t be sufficient, so we used the grant money to do a total makeover; just gutting it and taking everything out and starting over,” Vivanco said. “We think you will appreciate how the funds were used.”

The space now houses the Soboba TANF program in the front half of the 14,000-sq.ft. building. The Soboba Tribal Environmental Department has moved into a large area in the back and Soboba Housing and Elders also have dedicated spaces for their programs. At the end of the building, with a separate entrance for confidentiality purposes, Soboba Tribal Family Services is also at the Donna Way location. The expanded space and location have allowed them to add an outdoor seating area and play area.

Tribal Executive Officer Steven Estrada said after the property was purchased in September 2023, they walked through the facility and noted everything that needed to be done inside and out. The redesign started in December of that year. By spring of 2024, an RFP went out for contractors to gut and demolish and construct the new space, which began in July of that year. He said it took over a year for all plan checks and reviewing, permitting, conditions of approval and other requirements to be met.

To determine which departments would move from the Tribal Administration building on the reservation to the new location, he said it was decided that those which were social services/community utilization based would be the most logical choice.

“TANF has a large department, and the new space was well suited for them,” Estrada said. “Family Services is a good complementary service to TANF. Elders needed a dedicated space. Environmental has grown and needs its own space as well.”

Open house guests gathered inside the large multipurpose room which could comfortably accommodate 100 people. Panoramic photographs of the reservation were divided into panels that filled the walls in an artistic way. The full kitchen, located off the room, was busy with Tribal Chef Anita Morillo and her team preparing lunch for all the attendees.

Prior to the move, Elders met at the old Tribal Hall. During the open house, Joyce Placencia recalled working in the Medical Records department at the old clinic. Now sitting in the new multipurpose room, she said it was the same spot she was in before retiring from the clinic after 30 years. Marian Chacon, another Soboba Elder, likes the new space for their meetings. She also likes the photos of the canyon and other Soboba landmarks that are hanging throughout the building.

The TANF program has a full year-round calendar of events for the youth and now they have plenty of space to accommodate them all. There is a conference room, computer labs, a file room and six offices for staff which includes Regional TANF Manager Harold Arres, Senior Program Specialist Annalisa Tucker, Transportation Coordinator Nancy Gallegos, and Administrative Assistant Benny Helms IV.

“Before, we just had three office spaces and it was so tight,” Arres said. They also shared a multipurpose room with the preschool. “I would say having our own space that we actually fit in and have room to grow. It’s nice being able to plan activities based on our needs and our schedule.”

He said the new location is convenient for the TANF families that live off the reservation, which makes it much easier for them. Sylvan Learning offers tutoring sessions to TANF members every weekday afternoon. Arres said there can be 30-40 students seeking assistance when grades come out and now they will have plenty of room to accommodate everyone’s schedule.

He said some of the other activities, such as Fancy Shawl and Bird Singing classes, will take place at the Old Tribal Hall because of the connection to the Cultural Resource department which has moved into the old TANF program space next to the preschool.

Housing Specialist Dondi Silvas said the new Soboba Housing Program office is definitely larger, which is great. Being able to share a conference room with Soboba Tribal Environmental Department allows even more access to space she may need as she often has to notarize documents for clients.

Environmental Director Christian Aceves said the move was most welcome as all four staff members now have a dedicated office. Environmental Specialist Jonathan Marquez and Administrative Assistant DeAnn Bejar are fairly new to the department. Once a fourth team member is added, the department will be fully staffed once again.

“We are tremendously thankful to leadership for this huge upgrade, which is a reflection of our growth as we continue to offer more services over the years,” Aceves said.

One of their newer programs is providing red bins for hazardous household waste collection by Tribal Elders that STED will pick up when full so they can properly dispose of it all. This is just one of many services that are available to Elders.

Aceves and others in the new building were grateful for the opportunity to personalize their departments with particular accent wall colors and photos that were reproduced onto acoustic panels that reduce echoes, used throughout the facility.

Soboba Tribal Family Services’ dedicated area on the building’s west side offers an activity room with lots of games for children, a kitchen area where they can also have fun cooking with the kids, a large conference room and several offices for staff to meet with clients. A computer room is available for Tribal members to complete job applications and forms or to use if they simply don’t have access to a computer. Director Alicia Golchuk is joined by Tribal Social Workers Deatra “Dee Dee” Manzanilla and Desiree Salazar and Administrative Assistant Catherine Gonzalez.

The walls are decorated with beautiful paintings created by Salazar’s fiancé Bobby Von Martin, adding a colorful and personal touch to their space. Offering a full gamut of services, the team is happy to be able to offer a comfortable, homey, and inviting place for everyone to meet.

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One month later, the three-day Grand Opening took place with even more fun to offer. Each day had a special theme with July 23 being a true celebration, July 24 offering Awareness Day to highlight important nonprofits such as FFA and Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), which help support families staying close to their children while they receive medical care. July 25 was dubbed Hero Day that put the spotlight on first responders and public safety in general.

Familiar characters were present at both events. The Hamburglar, Birdie the Early Bird, and Grimace posed for photos with youngsters and made their way through the long line of hungry diners to bring smiles to their faces before the doors were opened for ordering.

The newest location is at the Crossroads business area, which is owned by the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians. For the first day launch, the restaurant reached out to Soboba to request bird singers, a blessing and Tribal Council remarks. They worked closely with Joe Ontiveros and Jessica Valdez from Soboba’s Cultural Resource Department. The Andreas family offered some Cahuilla bird songs and was joined by several dancers. A blessing was given by Soboba’s Tribal Executive Officer Steven Estrada.

Estrada then welcomed everyone and Tribal Council members Daniel Valdez, Monica Herrera and Adona Salgado were introduced. Estrada said it is nice to have a major brand operation be the first to move into the Crossroads space.

“It’s good to see long lines because it just shows the need and use for the community overall,” Estrada said. “Tribal Council had some input on the design so it complimented Crossroads overall.”

He said the June 23 event was not just a ribbon-cutting ceremony but evidence of the Tribe’s resiliency, self-determination, and economic growth. Several years ago, Soboba purchased the off-reservation property, master planned it and put in all the infrastructure.

“We are here today welcoming a new business within the valley and into the community,” Estrada said. “They are not just providing economic support for the Tribe but economic support for the community as well by way of job opportunities, all contributing to the local economy so thank you to all who came out today.”

June’s opening found many attendees of the ribbon-cutting ceremony and introductions using umbrellas to shade themselves from the heat. But inside, the griddles stayed hot all day long as eager guests ordered their famous cheeseburgers at the special price of 80 cents each. It’s no surprise that they sold nearly 2,000 of them, while serving more than 1,200 customers on that first day.

Franchise owners/operators Randell Baremor and Ramin Ghaffari were recognized and applauded by Hemet/San Jacinto Chamber of Commerce and Greater San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce representatives for their investment in the local community.

Robert Graves, Director of Operations for a franchise group, spoke on behalf of business partners Baremor and Ghaffari.

“We are truly honored to be part of the San Jacinto community,” he said. “From the beginning, our goal has been to be more than just a place where families can come together and share a meal. We strive to be a trusted neighbor, a dependable employer, and a positive force that continues to grow. We believe that a strong business helps build strong communities; that means creating meaningful jobs, providing opportunities for personal and professional development, and supporting our communities.”

San Jacinto City Council members Alonso Ledezma, Valerie Vandever and Mayor Pro Tem Clarisa Sanchez were introduced by Mayor Crystal Ruiz, who presented the franchisees with a certificate of recognition. It read, in part, “The City of San Jacinto welcomes you and recognizes the positive contributions your business will bring to our community. We look forward to your ongoing partnership in serving the residents of San Jacinto for years to come.”

Ruiz said, “One of my first jobs was at McDonald’s; they’re like our family. We welcome the partnership between McDonald’s and Soboba, who are the cornerstone of our city.”

Hemet Mayor Linda Krupa presented a certificate on behalf of the Hemet City Council to recognize their investment in the valley and wished them “continued prosperity and success in serving the residents and visitors of the valley.”

The office of 5^th District Supervisor Yxstian Gutierrez recognized McDonald’s commitment and contribution to economic growth in Riverside County.

“We are grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received and look forward to serving our community with our delicious food for many years to come,” ARCS Training/HR Manager Elaine Contreras said.

Leon Clausen of San Jacinto arrived at midnight on June 23 driving his 1964 Malibu SS.

“I had this wild idea to do something spectacular like I was 17 again,” said the 42-year-old classic car enthusiast. I wanted to be the first person in the drive-thru of the new McDonald’s.”

Clausen thought driving his classic car to this classic restaurant would be very fitting. He added that security did a great job throughout the night as others arrived to be near the front of the line when the great deals started being served at noon.

For his efforts, Clausen was presented with a McDonald’s merchandise gift basket by San Jacinto Mayor Crystal Ruiz at the drive-thru window.

On July 23–25 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day, there were prizes, games and special offers to celebrate the official grand opening. All those involved looked forward to sharing great food and great memories with the community.

“On behalf of McDonald’s, ARCS Restaurant Management, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible Team. It truly takes a village, and their dedication, hard work, and passion made our Soft Grand Opening a tremendous success,” Contreras said. “Most of all we would like to say thank you to the mayors, City Council members, Chambers of Commerce, Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians and Soboba Tribal Council, and the entire community for their support.”

Franchisee Baremor said things are going smoothly and they have been busier than expected. Currently, there are about 55 employees working at the 24/7 site. No stranger to McDonald’s, Baremor has been involved with the fast-food chain since high school and worked for another franchisee in Orange County for 30 years. He partnered with Ghaffari 15 years ago and they now operate 18 stores.

“It’s important to us to fit in with the community,” he said. “We don’t want this to be just another McDonald’s. Wherever we go, we have to connect to the community and that includes Soboba. We have been so happy with the way things have been going because we want this to be a destination McDonald’s.”

Baremor said that everything the store does as far as special events is up to the franchisees with the only thing controlled by McDonald’s being the menu. But they don’t work alone, they have an extensive team of about 20 that helps with everything from training to technology and marketing.

“We don’t just hire workers for the restaurant, but we hire those that are skilled in other areas, too,” he said. “It’s about giving employees the opportunity to grow with us.”

It’s not all about revenue to Baremor either. He said he would consider success to be accepted by the community who allow his restaurant to become part of their day.

Looking to be a hub where community members can connect, celebrate and enjoy, the newest San Jacinto McDonald’s is at 528 W. Ramona Expressway. For details, www.mcdonalds.com/us/en-us/location/ca/san-jacinto/528-w-ramona-expressway/41045.html.

For more information about all local McDonald’s special events and promotions, please visit #arcsmcds on Instagram.

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A record number of 31 youth aged 14-21 were eligible to work at one of 20 worksites that stepped up to be part of this important program. The TANF program provides these career exploration opportunities with the support of departments and businesses within the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians’ reach as well as some at the Santa Rosa and Cahuilla reservations and in the city of Riverside where other TANF program offices are located.

All potential youth workers are required to complete the same job application process as any Soboba employee would. This gives them first-hand experience and insight into the work world and what they can expect in the future. Once accepted into the work program, they spend a full week of pre-employment training.

Soboba TANF Senior Program Specialist Annalisa Tucker said during this time, youth completed several foundational certifications and workforce‑readiness activities. Each participant earned their CPR & First Aid certification, obtained a food handler’s card, and finished their new‑hire orientation with Human Resources. They also engaged in mock interviews, learned practical skills on how to be a successful employee, and took theCOPS (Career Occupational Preference System) career assessment to identify potential career paths and college majors that aligned with their strengths. In addition, youth participated in leadership development activities designed to build confidence, communication, and teamwork. Employers are asked to complete performance evaluations that rate the quality of work, quantity of work, job knowledge and work habits displayed by the young workers under their supervision throughout their employment.

Even though some of the workers were returning to a job site they had been at in previous years, a Managers Meet-and-Greet luncheon on June 18 was a welcome kick-off before they were set to start their assigned jobs on June 22. The youth were able to discuss scheduling with their new bosses. Many of them have high school sports practices and other obligations to be considered while managers discussed some of the projects that needed to be completed and explained how they could help their departments during the six-week program.

Regional TANF Manager Harold Arres welcomed everyone to the event and told the youth to be proud of themselves for taking the initiative to apply. He introduced Soboba’s Tribal Executive Officer Steven Estrada to say a few words to the youth after providing a blessing.

“You should congratulate yourselves on the dedication that you’re showing,” Estrada said. “It’s nice to earn a little bit of income over the summer but this is really an extra slice of Trial sovereignty. Tribal programs are an extension of Tribal government and shows what Tribes have the authority to do. We have 19 different departments within the Soboba Tribal administration, employing over 300 individuals who make this their career.”

Estrada shared that he got his start in Tribal programs as a teenager when he volunteered at the Santa Rosa Tribal office during the summer. He began working in cultural monitoring and got a job at Soboba doing monitoring which rolled into the Environmental Department.

“I continued to dedicate myself to Tribal government, working in these Tribal programs and now I am overseeing the whole administration, reporting to Tribal Council,” he said. “You can’t do it alone. You really need to maintain these relationships and carry yourselves professionally. I have an amazing team of dedicated leaders within their departments. So remember that this is not just a job; it’s a career you can grow into. You guys are making Tribal government work so give yourselves a round of applause.”

A special guest speaker at the event was Soboba’s oldest living Tribal member, Teresa Silvas Seaton, who was born on April 21, 1930. She shared her lifetime of work experience and what advantages it provided.

“When I was born at Soboba Hospital, there weren’t many opportunities for Native Americans, especially the women,” she said. She felt fortunate to be able to work with her mother at a young age and helping with the apricot harvest and as a teenager at the cannery in Hemet. After graduating from high school in 1948, Seaton joined the Army Air Force.

“All this led to me being responsible, reliable, and resourceful,” Seaton said. She said if she could accomplish all that she did when there were limited opportunities available, she encouraged the youth to take advantage of all that is offered to them these days.

Allynn Silvas was excited to be assigned to work with the Soboba Sports Complex ground crew. His supervisors are Alex Alvarado, who is the Maintenance Lead at the Sports Complex and Fabian Correa, who is also in charge of maintenance for the crew that also takes care of the grounds at The Oaks.

“I’ve lived on the rez since I was five and my dad took me to work with him, so I grew up watching the way things work around here,” said Allynn, 16, whose father is Parks and Recreation Director Andy Silvas. “I always watched these guys work, day in and day out, and I know they do a lot. I’m just looking forward to being helpful.”

Jerimyah Saenz is working with Tribal chef Anita Morillo and her team at the kitchen for the second year in a row. The sixteen-year-old has already chosen to attend culinary school after he finishes high school and this program gives him an insider’s view to all aspects of kitchen operations. Not only is he learning about menu planning and how to operate different types of equipment, but he is also building life skills. The Tribal kitchen is responsible for preparing food for Tribal meetings, weekend events, program lunches and more.

Soboba’s Roadrunner Express has been a popular worksite and has welcomed WE LEAD participants since the store opened in 2023. Store Managers Linda Whitener and Tony Brimer will oversee four youth workers this year who will learn about the daily operations of the 24/7 store and service station.

“Customer service is always number one on our list of what is most important for them to learn,” Brimer said. From checking in deliveries to stocking shelves and cashiering, there is always something to be done at the busy store. He said following the schematics throughout the store helps them stock the shelves and that in turn teaches them where items are located so they can guide customers in the right direction. Brimer said it is this type of helpfulness that brings customers back.

Whitener said two of the workers, Bentley Resvaloso and Ete’tish Arviso are new to the worksite, but Domingo Resvaloso and Ginger Velazquez are returnees. Supervisors enjoy the program because the youth come in wanting to learn. The managers said they are full of energy and willing to do whatever is asked of them.

Danny Placencia is a recent graduate of San Jacinto Valley Academy and already has decided he wants to become a mechanic and/or a welder. Fortunately, Soboba Public Works is part of the WE LEAD program and offers him a chance to get his hands dirty working with the mechanics.

The department is responsible for anything Soboba-related and that includes 225 vehicles, 25 generators, seven fire trucks and a number of Noli school buses. The work they do is about 50 percent routine maintenance and 50 percent repair work.

Mechanic Alex Gutierrez and Head Mechanic Russ Hanson said Danny shadows them as they talk him through whatever they are working on. They explain each step as well as tools they are using and why. Danny helped them pull a motor out of one of the Kubota utility vehicles that is used by the Sports Complex maintenance crew. They replaced a rear bumper and some truck motor mounts on Public Safety vehicles. He has also been able to do some welding while also helping them reorganize the garage.

This is Danny’s first time in the program because in prior years his school sports obligations prevented him from participating.

“I’ve been around mechanics my whole life because of my uncles and cousins,” Danny said. He credits Michael “Bud” Ward, Michael Placencia, and his grandfather Glen Placencia for being a great influence on him. “They’ve all been great role models,” he said.

Soboba Preschool Director Lenora “Ponie” Mojado appreciated the extra hands as staff and teachers prepare for the new school year, which begins Aug. 4. Liberty High School junior Carolyn Hurtado, 16, and San Jacinto High School senior Kimani Resvaloso-Sanchez, 17, were happy to help during the final days of summer school and a special family-oriented event on July 9.

Carolyn’s future career goal is to be an attorney for Native Americans and Kimani has her sights set on being a teacher now that she has been able to learn more about it during this experience. Both enjoyed working with the children and engaging with their families. Decorating the kindergarten classroom was a special treat for Kimani who was a member of the first graduating class at the new preschool building.

“I was surprised at seeing what it is like on the teachers’ level which was so much different from what I saw when I was here just helping out,” Kimani said. She plans to use her earnings to purchase some school clothes and items needed as a member of her high school’s cheerleading team for the third year. She attends cheer practice from 6 to 8 a.m. followed by summer school classes before reporting for work at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. She said the busy schedule has helped her learn important time management skills.

“This (WE LEAD) program gives young kids a chance to see what to expect after school ends and they can learn all kinds of life skills in the process,” Kimani said.

Carolyn said the program is amazing because it gives youth the opportunity to experience working in different departments and with a variety of projects. She also said the budget information that was provided during the orientation week was very helpful.

“I plan to save for a vehicle or just to get financially stable,” Carolyn said. This summer’s income will contribute greatly to her goal.

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Preschool Director Lenora “Ponie” Mojado said the past two summers this event has been held led to successful student enrollment and she expects the same this year. To be eligible to attend the preschool, children must be potty-trained and at least 3 years old by September 1.

She welcomed all the little learners and their families to the event where all the teachers and staff introduced themselves. Mojado also made sure each attendee received a raffle ticket for their choice of some great prizes, from toys donated by Santa Claus Inc., a children’s potty chair donated by teacher Julissa Garcia and other great items donated by Soboba TANF.

Kids at the event were all at different stages of potty training and as the Parent Partners pointed out, each had their own cues and development timeline. There is no “right” age as to when a child should be or could be ready. Nogales said the range is typically from 18 months to 4 years with age two being the most common age that children show an interest and understanding of the subject. The Parent Partners like to refer to the process as toilet learning.

There were fun games set up around the multipurpose room that revolved around the theme. The preschool teachers and staff helped young ones “Pin the Poo” in the toilet, fish for underpants and diapers and toss diaper “balls” into a make-believe toilet. They then treated the participants with fun trinkets from treasure boxes filled with stickers, whistles, hand-held games and more.

One of the most interactive games gave kids a chance to show off their wiping abilities. Two balloons attached to a chair’s rear were filled with shaving cream in the crack between them. Children were given toilet paper to practice reaching behind them to wipe the balloons clean. They each received a reward for their efforts.

Posters decorated the walls of the room with encouraging messages, such as “Potty like a Rockstar” featuring Hello Kitty and Spiderman figures. Most were created by the student workers that are assisting at the preschool this summer as part of the TANF WE LEAD internship program. Kimani Resvaloso-Sanchez and Carolyn Hurtado will be assisting through the end of July, helping staff prepare classrooms for the upcoming school year.

The summery beach theme was evident throughout the room. A long table was set up with coloring pages and Tribal Family Partners offered a table full of helpful handouts. The whole event was geared toward engagement and teamwork.

Nogales and Sayers applauded Mojado for hosting this event that brings in the parents to demonstrate the teamwork and partnership that exists. “It’s a big help when the parents are involved,” said Nogales, who was a preschool teacher for seven years and did not see these types of events held. Sayers said this program is just one of many offered by Tribal Family Partners that is strengths based. “We are all about listening to parents and meeting them where they’re at rather than dictating where they should be,” she said.

Assessing when the child is ready to begin potty training depends on several factors. A child should have sufficient muscle control and the ability to pull their pants up and down. The maturity of the bladder is also important. A good way to gauge this is if they have a dry diaper after napping and a steady flow rather than many episodes of a few dribbles. A child needs to be able to communicate when they need to use the toilet, whether through words, sounds, facial expressions or some other cue. A child will need to be able to follow instructions before successful toilet training should be attempted. Desire to learn how to use the toilet will speed up the learning process greatly.

Before beginning to teach the child how to use the toilet, it is suggested to help them pick words to indicate they need to go and whether it’s pee or poo. Role modeling by letting the child see an older sibling or parent using the toilet and explaining what they are doing can also be helpful.

Nogales and Sayers emphasized the importance of discussing with their child’s teacher what the classroom routine is so they can better prepare them for using the toilet when they are at school and not in the familiar environment of their own home.

“Teach them proper hygiene habits and praise them for all they do,” Nogales said. “Encourage them to keep trying and praise any attempts for washing their hands and other little things they do.”

Daniel Briones’ daughter Qaasimal, 5, is starting kindergarten next month and his son Too, also 4, will be headed to the Pre-K classroom. Both attended summer school there and enjoyed it. “I like how they include culture in things they do here,” Briones said. “This event was a good learning experience.”

Felix Ortiz brought three of his children to the event but was interested in finding some helpful tips as his three-year-old daughter Moyla is transitioning into being 100% toilet trained. He is looking forward to having her and his son Iswut, 4, both attending the preschool. His 10-year-old son Hunwut came along to support his siblings.

Stephanie Falcon said she was learning a lot at the event where her daughters Azaria, 3, and Aria, 2, were enjoying the games. “I’ve learned some tips that will be helpful,” she said.

Preschool classroom teacher Julissa Garcia was also there as the parent of a three-year-old that she hopes will be attending the school next year. Tuukumit Herrera made his way around the room playing the different games and earning some great prizes while Garcia found the event to be very helpful.

As a teacher of the youngest students, she realizes that many are just getting potty trained. “I like that we get to team up with parents and families to work together to learn cues and patterns,” she said. “It always benefits the children.”

Sunnie Razon’s three-year-old daughter Millie is doing really well with her toilet training and has successfully completed the preschool’s summer session. Mom said doing the training with her older sister Khloe made things a lot easier for Milie. Razon said the event offered some interesting tips and tricks and good insight into the issue.

After finishing lunch, playing games and taking photos in front of the “Potty Time” backdrop filled with colorful balloons, families were invited to tour the classrooms and take home an enrollment packet if they didn’t already have one.

Tribal Family Partners is a grant-funded program that is free for all Native families with children prenatal to kindergarten entry. They offer one-on-one home visits, parent/child activities, cultural events, development screenings, social emotional assessments, stress management and more to keep Native families motivated, healthy and strong. Their goal is to help parents help kids get school ready. For more information, 951-849-4761, ext. 1136.

The 2026-2027 school year begins Aug. 4. If you are interested in learning more about the Soboba Tribal Preschool, please visit https://preschool.soboba-nsn.gov/ or call 951-487-8732.

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