Here’s a look at the upcoming events taking place at the St. Johns County Council on Aging at the River House, which is located at 179 Marine St. in St. Augustine. Hours of operation for River House are from 8:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday.
Flagler College Tech Help
Technology savvy Flagler College students will offer complimentary help at River House on Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m. starting Oct. 1. Bring your laptop, smartphone, iPhone, iPad or tablet, and a student will work with you one-on-one to answer questions and help with technology needs. Call (904) 209-3655 to schedule a reservation.
Dinner and a Movie
Join moviegoers the third Thursday of each month (Oct. 18, Nov. 15, Dec. 20) at River House. The movie begins promptly at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $15 for River House members and $20 for non-members. In addition to dinner, guests will receive a soft drink and popcorn. Beer and wine are available at an additional cost. Advanced payment and registration are required. Call (904) 209-3655 to reserve a seat.
Wellness Wednesdays
Wellness Wednesday is from 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 3. Florida Health Care Plans will be discussing various health and wellness topics in addition to giving away a ticket to the Rover House’s Dinner and a Movie event. For reservations, call (904) 209-3655.
Senior Singles Group
Join local seniors for fabulous food and fun conversation the first Tuesday of each month at various restaurants. Call (904) 209-3655 for reservations. Upcoming meetups are 11 a.m., Oct. 2, at Hurricane Patty’s, 69 Lewis Blvd. in St. Augustine; and 11 a.m., Nov. 6 at Gypsy Cab, 828 Anastasia Blvd. in St. Augustin.
Flu and pneumonia shots (New)
CVS Pharmacy will be offering flu and pneumonia shots at River House from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 17. Bring your Medicare card or insurance card. Walk-ins are welcome; no appointment necessary. For more information, call (904) 209-3655.
Learn to speak Italian
In this class, you will learn conversational Italian as well as the customs. Classes will be at River House beginning Oct. 1. Cost to River House members is $30 for the six-week session and $35 to non-members. Call (904) 209-3655 for advanced payment and registration.
Level 1: Mondays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5, from noon to 1 p.m.
Level 2: Mondays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Level 3: Mondays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Level 4: Mondays, Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Nov. 5, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Level 5: Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Level 6: Thursdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Nov. 1, 8, from 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
French Level 1 class (New)
Discover France and the French language with this interactive six-week course, which will help you learn basic French language skills and understand French culture through role-playing, storytelling and a situational real-life learning environment. This language and culture class will be taught by native French instructor, Denise Baudinet, who has traveled worldwide and strengthened her interest in expanding multicultural communications and understanding. Classes are held on Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. beginning Oct. 4. Call (904) 209-3655 to register for the six-week session. The fee is $30 for River House members and $35 for non-members.
Spanish Level 1 (New)
This six-week session will be held on Thursdays, beginning Oct. 4, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. to learn the basics of Spanish. Participants will also enjoy learning about Spanish culture in the fun and interactive class. The cost is $30 members/$35 non-members. Call (904) 209-3655 to register.
River House Chorus
Enjoy the many fantastic mental, physical, and spiritual benefits of group singing on Tuesdays, beginning Oct. 9, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with instructor Diana Milesko. New members are always welcomed (reading music is helpful, but not necessary). This group performs for COA events and locally in the community. For more information, call (904) 209-3655. This is complimentary to River House members; $4 for non-members.
Honoring Choices/Advance Care Planning (New)
Do you have a plan in place if an unexpected event or serious illness left you unable to communicate your healthcare decisions? Come to the River House on Wednesday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to noon to discuss advance care planning and choosing a health care decision-maker. Call (904) 209-3655 to reserve a spot in the complimentary event.
Author appreciation event: RG Head (New)
Meet retired Brigadier General and author, RG Head, on Friday, Oct. 19, at 9:30 a.m. He will be discussing his book, “Oswald Boelcke: Germany’s First Fighter Ace and Father of Air Combat.” Appealing to military and aviation enthusiasts, this biography explores why Oswald deserves consideration as the most important fighter pilot of the 20th century. The cost for attendance is $3 for members/$4 for non-members. Call (904) 209-3655 to reserve a seat.
Essential oils (New)
Learn about the health benefits of pure essential oils. Instructor Jayne Moon will show how to incorporate essential oils into everyday life and how to use them to create a business. This four-session class will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays (Oct. 22, 24, 29 and 31). The cost is $20 for members/$25 for non-members. Call (904) 209-3655 to reserve a seat.
Music simplified (New)
If you’ve ever been interested in learning how to play guitar, ukulele, banjo, or dulcimer, come to the River House on Tuesday, Oct. 23 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn how to play any song by learning all major and minor chords in one easy lesson. The follow-up class will be Tuesday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Go to GuitarSimplified.com for a short video demonstration of the Guitar Barre in action. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for non-members per session. Enrollment is limited so call (904) 209-3655 to make a reservation.
Jewelry beading class (New)
Want to get in tune with your creative side? Fulfill the need to be creative by designing jewelry. Join Shirley Nacey to make bracelets and necklaces with unique and intriguing beads to enhance your style or make a gift for a friend. The class will begin with basic stringing with beading wire and attaching clasps/crimps, then will advance to off-loom stitching such as peyote, square stitch, netting, etc. This four-week series class will take place on Wednesdays, Nov. 7, 14, 28, and Dec. 5 from 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Cost is $40 for members and $45 non-members and includes all supplies. Space is limited, so call (904) 209-3655 to register.
Author appreciation event: Jewel Grutman (New)
Meet retired attorney and local author, Jewel Grutman, as she discusses her book “Redfish Oak” at the River House on Friday, Nov. 9, at 10 a.m. Based on documented factual events, the book is full of action, mystery and a bit of romance. Books will be available for purchase at additional cost. The cost for attendance is $3 for members/$4 for non-members. Call (904) 209-3655 to reserve a seat.
Tech Tuesdays for iPhone and iPad (New)
Tech Tuesdays, which begins Nov. 13, will focus exclusively on iPhones and iPads with instructor Kai Long. Classes will be held at River House from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. every Tuesday. Bring your iPhone/iPad. The cost is $8 for members/$10 nonmembers per session. For reservations, call (904) 209-3655.
Nov. 13: iPhone/iPad Basics
Nov. 20: iPhone/iPad camera and photo app
Nov. 27: iPhone/iPad editing photos and videos
Dec. 4: Using maps/GPS
Dec. 11: Using contact folder
Dec. 18: Using Safari (search internet/bookmarks/reader view)
Jan. 8: Using Siri and ways to save battery life
Mindfulness meditation (New)
Experience the time-honored practice of mindfulness meditation that has been used as a path toward peace for more than 2,500 years. Examine the philosophy and psychology in which it is rooted. Students are asked to commit to all four classes and a daily home practice of 10 minutes during the four weeks. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. Beginning Jan. 8, classes will be held on Tuesdays (Jan. 8, Jan. 15, Jan. 22, Jan. 29) from 10 a.m. to noon. To reserve your place, call (904) 209-3655. The cost is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers.
Wellness Wednesday event (New)
Learn how to prevent and reverse chronic disease by making the right food choices on Wednesdays, Jan 16 and Jan. 23, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. During the first session, presenters Bob and Fran German will have a viewing and discussion of the movie “What the Health.” The next session will require a notepad for the workshop, packed with practical tips and ideas about healthy foods, transitioning to a healthier diet, shopping tips, recipes and more. The cost is $3 for members/$5 for nonmembers. Seating is limited, so call (904) 209-3655 to make a reservation.
Other COA events/activities
Integrative Memory Enhancement Program at Riverview Club in the Shores
The COA Integrative Memory Enhancement Program at the Fruit Cove Baptist Church in St. Johns has openings for enrollment. The class size is limited to 10 participants. The fee for service with subsidies is available for those who qualify. Call Michele Sanchez at (904) 729-9535 for more information or visit imeprogram.com.
Free Caregiver Class “Understanding Dementia”
This class for family caregivers caring for a loved one with dementia will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Coastal Community Center, 180 Marine St. in St. Augustine. For more information about classes, call Paulette Kozlowski at (904) 209-3674.
Volunteers needed at St. Johns County Council on Aging
The St. Johns County Council on Aging is seeking volunteers for the following:
■ Volunteers needed to assist with Integrative Memory Enhancement Program.
■ Volunteers needed for administrative duties at COA Transportation.
■ Volunteer drivers needed to deliver Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors.
■ Volunteers needed to help with preparation of Meals on Wheels and congregate meals.
■ Volunteers needed for Veteran’s Recognition Program: Nov. 7 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
■ Volunteer manicurist needed for Coastal Community Senior Center.
For more information or to volunteer, call (904) 209-3686 or email aleach@stjohnscoa.com
