Here’s a look at some of the activities, presentations and classes being offered this month at area senior centers.
PLAYERS COMMUNITY SENIOR CENTER
The following programs will be held at COA’s The PLAYERS Community Senior Center, 175 Landrum Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have any questions, call the center at 904-209-3659. Note that the center will be closed July 28 through Aug. 8 for new flooring renovations. For more information, go to www.coasjc.org/ponte-vedra-center.
- Lunch — Tuesdays: Noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required a week in advance, and the required fee is $5 per meal due upon arrival.
- Lunch — Thursdays: Noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required a week in advance, and the required fee is $5 per meal due upon arrival.
- Open Painting: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. No fee required; bring your own supplies.
- Chair Exercise — Tuesdays: 9:30 to 10 a.m.
- Chair Exercise — Thursdays: 9:30 to 10 a.m.
- Canasta — Tuesdays: 10 a.m. to noon.
- Canasta — Thursdays: 10 a.m. to noon.
- Mexican Train Dominoes: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays
- Free Blood Pressure Check with Diane DeCarlo: Thursday, July 31, 10-11 a.m.
- Bingo — Tuesdays: 1-2 p.m. Fee is $1 per card
- Bingo — Thursdays: 1-2 p.m. Fee is $1 per card
- Social Bridge: 9:30 a.m. to noon. Wednesdays
- Let’s Play Board Games: Rummikub, Scrabble, Yahtzee, Cards and more! Enjoy socializing and making new friends while participating in some friendly competition; 10 a.m. to noon. Wednesdays.
- Wii Bowling: 10-11 a.m. Thursdays
- Computer Room: Available Tuesdays through Fridays during open hours; general assistance available
- Cruise Party: Director of Sales Denise Bolton, with Discovery Commons San Pablo, sets sail at The PLAYERS with festive décor, music and more on Thursday, July 10, from 11 a.m. to noon.
- Jivin’ with Ivan Birthday Party: Everyone will be celebrating July birthdays with song and dance. Thursday, July 17, from 11 a.m. to noon.
- Gardening 101: How is your green thumb? Master Gardener Barbara Purple will share “tips and tricks” for general gardening. Tuesday, July 22, from 11 a.m. to noon.
- Annual Financial Report: Clerk Brandon Patty will review St. Johns County’s Popular Annual Financial Report. Learn how your tax dollars are going to work on Thursday, July 24, from 11 to noon.
COA CENTER AT UF HEALTH NOCATEE
The following programs will be held at COA Center at UF Health Nocatee, 351 Town Plaza Ave., Suite 205, Ponte Vedra. Unless specified otherwise, register by email to pbrunell@stjohnscoa.com or by calling 904-814-9407. Programs are open to adults ages 18-plus. For more information, go to www.coasjc.org/center-at-nocatee.
Tuesdays
- Stretch, Strengthen & Move (no floor): Easily adapted to your fitness level. Can be done sitting or standing. Class size is limited. 10-11 a.m. every Tuesday for a cost of $10 to attend July classes. To register, go to https://coasjc.coursestorm.com/category/coa-center-at-nocatee.
- Caregiver Support Group: All caregivers are welcome. The group meets every Tuesday from 1 to 2:30 p.m. There is a trained facilitator present at every meeting to guide the group.
- Open Card Play: Bring your deck of cards and join others in playing the card game of your choice. No instructor will be present. This is a self-directed group. 1-4 p.m. every Tuesday.
- Widows Meetup: Social group meeting the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Some meetings may take place outside the COA. A one-time registration to join the group is required to receive meeting updates.
Wednesdays
- Open Art: Bring your art or craft project to work on while socializing with friends. Meets every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Summer Bingo: Free bingo and prizes. July 11 from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
- Mah Jongg Meet-up: Open play for experienced players. July 23 and 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.; July 16 from 3 to 5 p.m.
- Genealogy Group: The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month. The July 16 topic is Immigration and Emigration Records, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
- Florida Friendly Turf Alternatives: Presented by Terra Freeman, FFL & commercial horticultural agent for UF/IFAS St. Johns County. Attend to learn how to save water, time and money by using turf alternatives. July 30 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
- Caregiver Needs Assessment: Make an appointment with a Qualified Dementia Care Specialist who will set up a time to discuss your situation one-to-one; develop an individualized education and needs assessment; support and guide; and empower you to find solutions for those needs. Call to schedule a free appointment on Tuesday or Wednesday, 904-814-9407 or email pbrunell@stjohnscoa.com.
COA’S RIVER HOUSE
The following programs will be held at COA’s River House, 179 Marine St., St. Augustine. For anyone with questions, call 904-209-3655 Monday-Thursday or email tharris@coasjc.org. For more information on classes, go to coasjc.coursestorm.com.
Classes That Require Registration
Registration is required for the following programs, and space is limited. To review course details and to register, go to coasjc.coursestorm.com/category/river-house
- Fishing — July 29 from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Cooking With Herbs: What to Cook When It’s Just Too Hot to Cook! Wednesday, July 23, from 2 to 3 p.m.
- Watercolor Doodles Plus — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 10, 17, 24 and 31
- Eat Your Yard: Foodscaping and the Sustainable Backyard — Thursday, July 10, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Open Programs
Open programs are usually free and, where noted, may require registration. Go to www.coasjc.org/river-house for more information.
- Container Gardening and New Beginnings — Learn successful plant choices and design ideas for planting in pots. Also, learn how to start your own plants from cuttings! There will be an informative and interactive presentation along with a live design/planting demonstration. Then everyone will have the opportunity to do their own hands-on container of cuttings to take home. If you want to make your own container garden, bring a small container, soil and plants, and St. Johns County Master Gardener Karen Doyle can show you how best to plant it. Monday, July 21, from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. Pre-registration required at coasjc.coursestorm.com or call 904 209 3655 (Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- Creating a Home to Retire In — Safely — Learn about the importance of planning ahead for staying at home into your golden years on Monday, July 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. Registration is required at https://coasjc.coursestorm.com/category/river-house or call 904-209-3655 Monday to Thursday.
- Mahjong Open Play — Bring your Mahjong game. Mondays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Happy Hookers — Join this social group as they crochet, knit, etc. Tuesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- One-on-One Tech Help — One-on-one help for your smart phone, tablet or laptop questions on Tuesday, July 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 904-209-3655 to reserve a one-hour spot.
- Widow to Widow — A support group for widows by widows. Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- AARP Smart Driver Course — You may qualify for a discount on your Florida car insurance by taking this course. Fee is $20 for AARP members and $25 for nonmembers (collected by the instructor on the first day of the course with check, money order or cash). Make checks and money orders out to AARP. A completion certificate is required for an auto insurance discount. Anyone may audit the course at no charge, but no course materials or certificate will be provided. This is a two-day class on July 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-registration is required at 904-209-3655.
- Open Game Play — Bring your deck of cards or your board game and socialize over a friendly game of your choosing. There are games available at River House. Every Thursday from 12:15 to 3:15 p.m.
— Compiled by Shaun Ryan
