Your browser is not optimized for viewing this website.

More information »

St. Johns County Council on Aging



River House

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

$25

with Jim Cargilo

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 9:15 am, runs for 5 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, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 9:15 to 10:15 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Jamming to the Classics - Easy Level on Wednesdays in April at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 9:45 am, runs for 5 weeks

A great way to get used to playing alongside others and having fun, learning easy songs, in an encouraging environment.

Open to Guitar, Ukulele or other small stringed instruments.

Music Stand highly encouraged. Pen or pencil for notes. Knowledge of very basic chords.

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, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 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 April at River House

$25

with Scott Farber

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 10:30 am, runs for 5 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, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 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 April at River House

$25

with Rebecca Dawson

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 10:30 am, runs for 5 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, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 10:30 to 11:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Drawing 1 on Wednesdays in April at River House

$50

with David Ouellette

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 11:15 am, runs for 5 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, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11:15 to 1:15 at the River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084).

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Guitar 2 for Beginners on Wednesdays in April at River House

$3750

with Dennis Fermin

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 11:30 am, runs for 5 weeks

Guitar 2 for Beginners:

  • Learning more open string chords
  • Introduction to 12 Bar Blues progressions
  • Smoother chord changes
  • Having fun learning more pop / classic rock songs

Supplies needed

  • Acoustic Guitar 
  • Compact Music Stand 
  • Pen or Pencil for notes

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 be held on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 11:30 to 1 at River House (179 Marine St.  St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

 

Will run

Planting the Seeds on Wednesdays in April at River House

$25

with Kate Werner

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 12:30 pm, runs for 5 weeks

We are living in times when things are not quite as they once were. Time seems to be flying by, yet standing still. There is a sense of uncertainty and tension.This class is designed to offer you ways of responding when faced with situations of tension, uncertainty, or confusion.This class offers the seeds to help you respond in different ways.

Kate retired from teaching in 2019, having taught everything from preschool to university. She has a master's degree in education and has been very active in teaching adult education courses.

Class sessions will be held on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 from 12:30 to 1:30 at River House (179 Marine Street, St. Augustine 32084)

For ages 18 and up.

Will run

Learn to Play Pétanque on Wednesdays in April at River House

$25

with Michael Ramsey-Smith

Calendar Apr 1, 2026 at 1:30 pm, runs for 4 weeks

Learn to play the traditional French game of Pétanque. You will find the outdoor game of pétanque (pronounced pétonk) being played in almost every town and village in southern France. All it takes to play the game is a set of two or more metal boules (balls), each ball weighing about 1.5 pounds; a small colorful target ball made of wood (called a cochonnet); and a players’ ring approximately 28 inches in diameter. The game is usually played on an outdoor gravel, sandy or grass surface. 

There are dozens of pétanque clubs throughout the United States. In the United States, the sport is governed by the Pétanque Federation of America. State and regional tournaments take place on a regular basis throughout the U.S. The sport is very popular with retired folks who sometimes play it well into their eighties. It is a wonderful activity for stimulating the physical and mental processing skills of people of all ages. The game is very easy to learn, but it takes practice and patience to become a skilled player.

The Pétanque classes will take place on a patch of gravel and grass behind the car park on the South West side of the COA building at 180 Marine St., but registration for the class is at River House (179 Marine St.)

Participants can wear any outdoor clothing, along with any outdoor shoes, but NOT sandals, flip-flops or shoes with exposed toes. You are encouraged to bring water, wear a hat with a brim or peak and use sunscreen. Also, bring a folding chair if you want a place to sit.

Class sessions will be on Wednesdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22 from 1:30 to 2:30 (no class session on April 29) at River House (179 Marine St. in St. Augustine)

For ages 18 and up.





Forgot password?
Staff Log In