Summer Talks series continue all summer at Dana Adobe

The Dana Adobe Nipomo Amigos will present the 2008 series of Summer Talks beginning July 12, and running every other Saturday through Sept. 26 at the historic Dana Adobe, 671 S. Oakglen Ave. in Nipomo.

The public is invited to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy before each talk.

Each event begins at 1 p.m. and lasts about one hour, except for Children’s Day, which is a three-hour event, according to a June 9 press release from Dana Adobe staff.

Tours of the historic adobe will be offered before and after each talk. Soft drinks, water and Dana Adobe merchandise may be purchased at each event.

The Dana Adobe is open for visitors from noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. For more information concerning membership, group tours and volunteer opportunities, call the Dana Adobe at 929-5679.

The schedule:

— July 12, 1 to 3 p.m.: Children’s Day at the Dana Adobe. Wanda Porter, storyteller, will share about life at the Dana Adobe in the 1850s, and then children can participate in a number of activities including wool carding, corn husk doll making, roping and a pinata. All children should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Admission is free.

— July 26, 1 p.m.: Maury Hoag, author of ”The Graveyard of the Pacific,” will speak on the topic “Ship Wrecks of the Pacific.”

— Aug. 9, 1 p.m.: Joe Dana, author of “To Discourage Me is No Easy Matter,” will speak on the life of Capt. William Goodwin Dana, including new information based on Joe Dana’s recently published book.

— Aug. 23, 1 p.m.: Barbara Watson, researcher and volunteer docent, will speak on “Mi Casa es Su Casa; Visitors at the Dana,” highlighting some of the famous visitors to the Dana Adobe.

— Sept. 13, 1 p.m.: Samantha McTighe will speak on “Herbs of the Chumash,” focusing on which herbs and natural remedies may have been grown and gathered on the Rancho Nipomo.

— Sept. 26, 1 p.m.: Helen Daurio, Education Committee chair and lead docent, will speak on “The Silent Women of Alta California,” focusing on the lives of women who helped settle Alta California.