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St. Johns County Council on Aging



Our Classes

Watercolor Landscape Painting on Wednesdays in October at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Oct 7, 2026 at 9 am, runs for 4 weeks

This Watercolor class is designed to expose you to the unique characteristics and techniques of the medium using various scenes and compositional layout. We will be studying atmospheric perspective and depth of field that makes landscape watercolor painting so effective. There will be regular critiques and discussions to improve your understanding and skill development.

Mr. Ouellette received his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Arts in Painting from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He taught at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and showed in many galleries and museums including the Detroit Institute of Art. He moved to St. Augustine in 1981 where he continued his career as an artist and professor of Fine Art at the Florida School of the Arts in his twenty-six year tenure. He was also a professor of Fine Arts, Painting and Design and Art History at SJRCC St. Augustine campus. He is currently teaching Art History and Studio classes at Flagler College Continuing Education.

Watercolor Materials and Supplies                

Brushes:

  • sable (preferred), ox hair (if you can find it or sable blends or sable synthetics 
  • 1”       flat
  • 1/2”    flat
  • #6 and #8 round
  • rigger brush 

 Paper:

  • Two sheets of Arches 22”x30”, 140 lb. cold press,  or a 9” x 12” block      

Paints:

Box sets of tube watercolors which should include most of these:        

  • ultramarine blue
  • cerulean blue
  • cobalt blue
  • thalo blue
  • alizarin crimson
  • cadmium red light
  • cadmium yellow light 
  • new gamboge
  • burnt umber
  • burnt sienna 

Other materials:                            

  • covered palette, plastic
  • painting board approx. 16” x 20”
  • masking tape
  • materials box
  • non-breakable container for water
  • roll of paper towels

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28 from 9 to 11 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Gentle Yoga on Wednesdays in October at River House

$25

with Scott Farber

Calendar Oct 7, 2026 at 9:15 am, runs for 4 weeks

This dynamic yet gentle class is for all ages, accommodating beginners as well as those who want to deepen their practice. Using teaching demonstrations and detailed guidance, each class proceeds in a safe and slow way to instruct the basics of (Kripalu) yoga postures, breathwork and meditation. Plenty of modifications and variations will be given for different body types. 

Class is 60 minutes and include an opening centering, gentle warmups, postures (asanas), breathwork (pranayama), and a long closing relaxation (yoga nidra). 

Please bring your own yoga mat, water bottle, and blanket or cushion to sit on.

Scott Farber, Ph.D., E-RYT 500/YACEP. Scott has been practicing yoga, meditation, and t'ai chi since the 1970s. A former college professor, with a doctorate in philosophy of education, he has traveled and taught all over the world. He now serves as a lead trainer in the Discovery Yoga School, offering a variety of yoga classes, workshops and teacher trainings.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28 from 9:15 to 10:15 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

iPhone: Some Surprising Things You Can Do With It on Wednesdays in October at River House

$25

with Jim Cargilo

Calendar Oct 7, 2026 at 9:15 am, runs for 4 weeks

Your iPhone is an amazingly powerful tool—great for your daily enjoyment and perfect for keeping track of your health and well-being. As we get older, a little extra help and a few reminders can make life run a lot more smoothly. That’s where your iPhone truly shines!

Think of it as your personal helper, ready to remind you of important tasks, guide you through what you need to do, and help you stay on track for a healthy, active life.

Join us to discover many fun and useful things your iPhone can do to make your life simpler—and get ready to be surprised by just how much this tiny powerhouse can really do!

Smartphones are just a miniaturized computer, so learning them is just an extension to learning a Computer – they both use your mind and fingers…

Jim has been working with, and building computers, since 1981. He has worked for some major computer Companies such as Plessey Peripheral Systems (DEC), Fujitsu America (Disk Drives), MSI Data (Hand Held Scanners), and Aston-Tate (Software). He also started some of his own companies which he eventually sold to larger Companies: Simply Computers (PCs), Tobar (Disk Drives), Megastor (Disk Drives), and Dynamic Products (Australia).

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28 from 9:15 to 10:15 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Ukulele 1 for Beginners on Wednesdays in August at River House

$37.50

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Oct 7, 2026 at 9:45 am, runs for 4 weeks

Learn to play some fun, easy classics in a fun group setting. You will learn:

  • Tuning
  • Basic chords
  • Understanding rhythms
  • Strum patterns

Requirements:

  • Ukulele
  • Music stand strongly suggested
  • pen or pencil

Dennis Fermin has been playing guitar for over 30 years and joyfully helping others learn to play along the way. As a graduate from Musician's Institute of California, he has the skills and the patience to teach on many different topics and styles of music. Currently you can hear him perform locally as Fermin Spanish Guitar.

Class sessions will run on Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28 from 9:45 - 11:15 a.m. at River House, 179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084.

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Art of Meditation on Wednesdays in October at River House

$25

with Scott Farber

Calendar Oct 7, 2026 at 10:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Meditation relaxes the body, heals the heart, and calms the mind. This class will introduce a variety of meditation techniques from different traditions. Each class will begin with some brief stretching and breathing followed by an opening meditation; then there will be a short sharing and discussion followed by a different closing meditation. We will be using chairs for all the seated meditations; you do not need to bring a mat or cushion. We may also do some special walking and sound bath meditations.

Scott Farber, Ph.D. has been practicing meditation since 1975, starting with TM (Transcendental Meditation). In addition to teaching yoga meditations, including yoga nidra, and the moving meditation of t'ai chi, he also has studied Zen, Buddhist, Tantric, Sufi, Kabbalah, and Arica methods of meditation. 

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

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Chair Yoga on Wednesdays in October at River House

$25

with Rebecca Dawson

Calendar Oct 7, 2026 at 10:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Discover a yoga practice that has therapeutic benefits for seniors who may not be able to stand for long periods of time or may be uncomfortable seated on the floor.

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

For ages 18 and up.

Full Course

Drawing 1 on Wednesdays in October at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Oct 7, 2026 at 11:15 am, runs for 4 weeks

This course is structured to develop basic drawing techniques by concentrating on the elements of descriptive drawing through observation. 

Students will develop the qualities of line and volume with a full range of values. The course will also cover linear perspective and compositional design.

Materials needed:

  • 18" x 24" drawing paper pad (not sketching paper)
  • 16" x 20" (approx.) drawing board
  • #2 and #4 graphic pencils
  • white plastic eraser
  • kneaded eraser
  • masking tape

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

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Guitar 3 for Beginners on Wednesdays in October at River House

$37.50

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Oct 7, 2026 at 11:30 am, runs for 4 weeks

Guitar 3 for Beginners

  • Learn all Open string Chords
  • Intro to Pentatonic Scale shapes and patterns
  • Barre Chords
  • Learning Fretboard notes
  • Fun playing Classic favorites

Requirements

  • Ability to play basic chords relatively well
  • Music stand suggested
  • Pen or pencil

Dennis Fermin has been playing guitar for over 30 years and joyfully helping others learn to play along the way. As a graduate from Musician's Institute of California, he has the skills and the patience to teach on many different topics and styles of music. Currently you can hear him perform locally as Fermin Spanish Guitar.

Class sessions will run on Wednesdays, October 7, 14, 21, 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at River House, 179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084.

For ages 18 and up.





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