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.

Since everything has a vibrational frequency, including ourselves, it makes sense that sound frequencies impact how we feel. That’s why particular songs and types of music often bring about specific types of emotions. Vibrational sound healing therapy (sound bath) can retune your body, mind and spirit, while encouraging relaxation, healing and wellness. These sessions use therapeutic crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, "wind gong", and  tuning forks and other sound vibration tools. The combination of tones and vibrations that produce a state of tranquility and act as a massage for the nervous system create a state of vibrational balance and harmony.

Participants are encouraged to be in a resting position. Best if on the floor with a yoga mat or a portable reclining chair but sitting up also works. Many enjoy having a light sheet or blanket to place over them.

Simply rest with eyes closed and listen as the practitioner plays a variety of instruments and you “bathe” in the soothing sounds and vibrations. Sound frequencies slow down the brain waves to a deeply restorative state which activates the body’s system of self-healing. Crystal bowls are tuned to chakras as well as the tuning forks. The gong, harp, bowls and tuning forks helps release tension in the body and stimulates the glandular and nervous system. Vocal chanting sometimes is added which further releases stagnant energy of the organs and as in singing lifts our spirit. As in humming and sound frequency, nitric oxide is release and enhances our cellular state within.

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 Tuesdays, July 14, 21, 28 (no class session on July 7) from 2:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

If you have tried other Tai Chi forms and found them difficult to maintain, consider giving this class a try. The forms taught here are carefully selected and can be easily adapted for all levels, including individuals experiencing chronic pain or other physical conditions. We use the Tai Chi Easy Method, Fall Prevention practices, and Parkinson’s protocols to support safe, accessible participation and learning. Classes include breathwork, meditation, self-massage, and gentle movement. Forms covered: Review of Tai Chi Easy, followed by Tai Chi for Health, and progressing to Tai Chi for Energy.

Please dress comfortably, wear sneakers or rubber-soled shoes, and bring a water bottle.

Sharon Infante is Medical Qigong Practitioner (MQP), an IIQTC and UHT certified in Tai Chi, Qigong, Daoyin Yoga, meditation and Sound Frequency. She has been teaching for more than 20 years. She enjoys bringing Tai Chi Gong and Sound Healing Meditation to communities, hospitals, schools, health festivals so that they may benefit from the combined benefits of the body, mind, spirit connection.

Class sessions will be held on Thursdays, July 16, 23, 30 (no class sessions on July 2 & 9) from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine)

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.

Altered Playing Cards- Playing cards are the perfect addition to making your book unique. Using paints, stencils, stamps and even fabric scraps, you can design each card to look like it is old, vintage, mid-century, shabby chic, a sample specimen card or any other different style you can create. Place them in special hidden places in your book.

Supplies specific to this class:

• Playing cards
• Paints- watercolor, inks, acrylic
• Markers – permanent and watercolor
• Scissors
• Fabric scraps
• Tissue paper, napkins
• Glue stick, white Elmer’s glue
• Stencils
• Decorative suggestions- stickers, dried flowers, bling, etc.

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 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

June focus will be Lifestyle-Digital & AI health, Environment

“Health is Wealth” So where and how do I start?

In this class we will focus on Health Promotion and Not Disease Treatment. How to begin making healthier food and lifestyle choices which we know it can be a challenge for us. We hear to eat this, not that. Move this way not that way. This is bad for you. You must do this and go there. Old habits die hard. So where do you begin?

We will explore:

• Nutrition & Health that is “practical” and obtainable
• Focus on healthy food options, review food groups and beverages
• Learn Steps to shape your personal plan
• Explore activities to enhance your lifestyle

You will be provided with:

• A sample day food plan
• How to do somatic shaking
• A list of suggested resources
• How to create better sleep habits
• Recipes

Each month will focus on a different area of wellness. Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Creating a personal wellness plan and implementing daily-life changes
• Detox and the role of water
• Liver health and seasonal spring detox
• Environment and lifestyle influences
• Understanding inflammation
• The “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” food lists
• Keys to longevity

This one day class will meet on Monday, July 20 from 2 - 3 at River House (179 Marine St. in St. Augustine)

For ages 18 and up.

In this interactive cooking demonstration, we will explore the modern culinary trend of "fibermaxxing" to support digestion, heart health, and blood sugar stability. High fiber doesn’t mean low taste! This class will showcase how to utilize high-fiber, prebiotic-rich summer produce and herbs to create elegant, vibrant dishes that are light and refreshing for hot weather.

James is a Professor of Biological Sciences at St. Johns River State College in St. Augustine, personal chef and is a Master Herbalist with over 20 years of experience.

Class sessions will be held on Thursday, July 23 from 2 - 3:30 at River House (179 Marine St.) 

For ages 18 and up.