Soboba rescues Ramona

Ramona Bowl gets a $100,000 donationThe Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians has donated $100,000 to the Ramona Bowl Amphitheater to help assure the survival of the outdoor play "Ramona."

The money means the financially strapped organization that stages the play at the natural amphitheater, southeast of downtown Hemet, is back in the black.

However, negotiations with Riverside County to purchase the historic venue continue, bowl officials said.

Soboba tribal council member Rose Salgado, who also sits on the Ramona Bowl Amphitheater board of directors, said the donation was meant to assure the future of "Ramona," which is preparing for its 86th season this spring.

"We've always supported the Ramona play and this is not out of the ordinary," she said.

The tribe has donated $25,000 to $50,000 to the play each year, she said, but decided to increase the amount this year to help deal with the bowl's difficult budget situation.

"It was needed to preserve the play this year and into the future," she said. "It tells the story of Native Americans in California."Comment:  For more on the subject, see Casinos Fund Cultural Projects and Native Plays and Other Stage Shows.