Bienvenidos, 

In this course you will learn basic Spanish. You will also learn everyday phrases, commonly used words, colloquial words used by Spanish speakers, the history and customs of different countries, as well as “Castilian-Castellano” the language brought to this beautiful town by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles and his crew. You will be surprised of how much Spanish you already know. Don’t forget your notebook (cuaderno) and pen/pencil (bolígrafo /lápiz). 

María Teresa Martínez is a native Spanish speaker, born in Havana, Cuba. Her family ancestry is from Spain. She came to the United States in 1968 and learned English as a high school student in Dover, Delaware. She has taught from early childhood to college level Spanish.  She also served as a medical and judicial interpreter for many years as the owner of a  translation and interpretation business. Since retiring to San Augustine she has enjoyed teaching Spanish classes at the River House/COA. Her courses provide an interesting mix of learning the Spanish language while enjoying tidbits about the colonial history of our city Saint Augustine and Spain. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 from 10 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Qigong is the art of cultivating our vital energy or life force using gentle movements coordinated with breathing. It promotes health and vitality. Tai Chi is the epitome of qigong. It is a healing art, a moving meditation, and a slow graceful dance. It relaxes the body and focuses the mind. It improves balance and posture. We'll learn a variety of standing qigong methods as well as the famous Cheng Man-Ching (Yang style) Tai Chi form. Please wear loose comfortable clothing and, if possible, flat-bottomed shoes.

Scott Farber, Ph.D., has been practicing and teaching Tai Chi & Qigong for over forty years. He has studied the form, push hands and sword.  As an apprentice in the international School of Tai Chi Chuan, he completed fifteen years of intensive teacher training.  A former college professor, he now serves as a health and wellness consultant, teaching yoga, tai chi and meditation.

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21 (no class session on July 28) from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine)

For ages 18 and up.

Intermediate Spanish class will focus on building upon existing  vocabulary and grammar knowledge to improve communication skills and fluency. This will include expanding vocabulary, refining grammar and practicing sentence variety and fluency.

Don’t forget your notebook (cuaderno) and pen/pencil (bolígrafo /lápiz). 

María Teresa Martínez is a native Spanish speaker, born in Havana, Cuba. Her family ancestry is from Spain. She came to the United States in 1968 and learned English as a high school student in Dover, Delaware. She has taught from early childhood to college level Spanish.  She also served as a medical and judicial interpreter for many years as the owner of a  translation and interpretation business. Since retiring to San Augustine she has enjoyed teaching Spanish classes at the River House/COA. Her courses provide an interesting mix of learning the Spanish language while enjoying tidbits about the colonial history of our city Saint Augustine and Spain. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 from 11:45 to 1:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Mah Jongg is an ancient Chinese game played by four people using tiles bearing various symbols. If you are familiar with the card game Gin Rummy, you have a head start in understanding Mah Jongg. Mah Jongg is an exciting and mind challenging game that helps stimulate your thought process.

Marcia has been playing Mah Jongg for over 20 years. She taught Mah Jongg at the Riverview Club and to the people in her development, as well as other developments. She also taught Mah Jongg at the COA in 2009. She loves the game and plays several times a week. 

Class sessions will be held on Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 from 1:00 - 3:00 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084) 

For ages 18 and up.

STA Strong BHOF (Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation) Education Group: This group meets bimonthly to learn about prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of osteoporosis. 

This program will meet on Wednesday, July 8 from 1:30 to 2:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Reduce the amount of chemicals used in the landscape and garden. Save money while  saving  pollinators and beneficial insects.  Become aware of the value of pollinators and beneficial insects to our landscape and fool supply.

There will be a Build a Pollinator House program at the Saint Johns Agricultural Center at 3125 Agricultural Dr. Saint Augustine on July 20 where you will have the opportunity to make your own pollinator house. Check with the instructor, Barbara, for more info on this. The Build a Pollinator House program is not a COA sponsored event.

Barbara started her horticultural background at the age of 6 working in her family's garden center in Connecticut. It served her well, as it helped put her through college doing perennial gardens in the summer. She has been a Master Gardener in Connecticut and Florida for a combined total of 30 years. 

This one session class will meet on Monday, July 13 from 9:15 to 11:15 at River House (179 Marine St. St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Begin to explore and embody practices that release stress, trauma, and unresolved emotional patterns that may be holding you back from living your best life. You will learn and participate in gentle stretching, mindful movement, and breathwork meditation designed to ease tension in the fascia, muscles, and connective tissues—especially in the neck, shoulders, back, and hips. These movement routines are rooted in ancient somatic and energetic practices that support physical healing and emotional well-being, promoting a deep sense of inner freedom, balance, and joy.

Please wear comfortable clothing, sneakers or rubber-soled shoes, and bring a water bottle.

Be prepared to sit, stand, gently shake, stretch, and reach in slow, accessible ways.

Sharon has been on her journey since 2000, trained in Woodstock, NY with Master trainers of Sound and Frequency. She is a Qigong Practitioner, Senior Trainer of IIQTC Tai Chi Easy Leader, certified in various Tai Chi Health forms, Master Reiki and energy healer, and completed studies in MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)

Class sessions will be held on Mondays, July 13, 20, 27 (no class session on July 6) from Noon to 1:00 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Discover the centuries-old craft of bookbinding in this hands-on course designed for beginners and creative enthusiasts alike. Students will learn the fundamental techniques of constructing handmade books — from folding and sewing signatures (bookbinding process of stitching multiple folded groups of paper (signatures) together using binder thread to create the internal text block of a book) to attaching covers and finishing edges. The course is made up of individual sessions, each exploring a different and creative aspect of designing and personalizing your book. No prior experience needed — just a love of paper, texture, paints and making things by hand.

Create DIY washi tape- Using paints, markers, and masking tape, you can make washi tape designs to coordinate with your own book style. It’s fun and easy to do!

Supplies specific to this class:

• Beige masking tape in different widths
• Any watercolor or acrylic paints
• Markers – watercolor and black permanent, gel pens,
• Metallic markers or paints
• Parchment paper
• Brushes – Round and Flat – 4-8
• Stencils, stamps and permanent ink pads

General Supplies needed:

• Journals- blank sketch/watercolor books, or you can hand make a book or alter a book.
• Pens, markers, pencils, rulers, brushes Paints (acrylics, watercolors, inks, metallics)
• Colored pencils
• Collage materials: (magazine clippings, newspapers, paper scraps)
• Glue or adhesives 
• Stamps and stencils
• Washi or decorative tapes
• Gesso: white or clear
• Sponges
• Palette knives

Optional supplies

• Fabric,
• Textured papers, 
• Brayer
• Gel press
• Ink sprays 
• Found objects or memorabilia 

Class session will be held on Monday, July 13 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.