Speakers Program: Barry McLoughlin

Join your neighbours for informal evenings with distinguished speakers. Presentations will be followed by questions, coffee and cookies. Admission is free. The Speakers Program is an initiative of the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association and is supported by the Rockcliffe Park Foundation.

“Politics and Media in a ‘Disruptive’ World”

Join one of Canada’s most experienced political and leadership consultants as he explores what is happening in politics and the media, what the massive disruption means for voters, and the search for truth in an era of Fake News.

2018 Ashbury Ball: Taj Gala

Please join us for an unforgettable evening of delicious food, fabulous entertainment, and live and silent auctions in support of Ashbury students.

Date: Saturday, November 17
Location: Infinity Convention Centre, 2901 Gibford Drive, Ottawa
Time: Cocktail Hour at 5:30 pm
Tickets: $300

For more information on the event and to purchase tickets please visit ashburyball2018.com.

RPRA Board meeting

Board meetings occur on the third Wednesday evening of the month, except in July and August. All board meetings are open to the public.

Rockcliffe Park Garden Club: Virginia Vince

Holiday Decorating with Florals and Greens Thursday, November 29 | 7:00 pm

Presenter: Virginia Vince, owner of Bloomfields Flowers on Bank Street in the Glebe and Wellington West.

Our most popular evening; acclaimed Ottawa florist Virginia Vince will delight us, creating holiday floral arrangements that will be the envy of your friends and family. Her exquisite floral designs and arrangements showcase the desire she has for making flowers, plants and natural beauty an essential part of everyone’s everyday life. Get an early start on holiday ideas for floral décor for your home from a florist passionate about creating beautiful and natural places, designs and experiences. A raffle of her arrangements will be part of the evening. Bring a friend and arrive early. This always is standing room only.

Free for members, $5 for non-members

RPRA and Ottawa Symphony Orchestra reception and silent auction fundraiser @ Church of St. Bartholomew

Come to St Bart’s for a wonderful evening in support of the Rideau Rockcliffe Community Resource Centre (RRCRC) and to help the RPRA launch its seasonal fundraising drive. The evening will feature the OSO quartet, food and a cash bar, a silent auction and friends gathering to support the RRCRC, which provides counselling, community development, youth services as well as the Food Bank services to our neighbourhood.

Location: ‪125 MacKay Street, the Parish Hall of the Church of St Bartholomew.  
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.

Ticket Cost: $40- includes a glass of Prosecco and Food
To purchase tickets use Eventbrite www.eventbrite.ca. Access event using search words COMMUNITY GET TOGETHER and/or RENDEZ-VOUS COMMUNAUTAIRE.

Elmwood Art Fair Vernissage and Holly Tea

Members of the Rockcliffe Park community are invited to join us this December for our annual Holly Tea and Art Fair. This event is always a highlight of the holiday season, filled with stunning artistry and festive cheer. We will be kicking things off on Friday, November 30 at 6:30 pm with our Art Fair Vernissage. The show will continue on through Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm – as will our Holiday Marketplace. And don’t miss out on our Holly Tea on Saturday from 1:00 to 4:30 pm.

Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing

The Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing is held outside the Community Hall every December for residents and neighbours. The Elmwood choir and the Salvation Army Brass Ensemble of the Ottawa Citadel Band accompany the carol sing and a dignitary lights the huge spruce tree behind the community centre. There is usually a fundraising component to the evening, with items donated to a local charity.

Children’s Christmas Party

This popular children’s party features horse-drawn carriage rides, a clown, Christmas crafts, gingerbread house-making, holiday treats and, of course, Santa Claus. If you can help with this event, please check beside the Children’s Christmas Party on the RPRA membership form or send an email to secretary@rockcliffepark.ca.

Tempting Values for Early Shoppers: The Birth of Ottawa’s Department Stores

Speaker: Robert Smythe is a contributor to the recently published book From Walk-Up to High-Rise: Ottawa’s Historic Apartment Buildings and is the author of the architectural history blog Urbsite.

The department store was the product of an increasingly leisured middle class, a new consumer economy and architectural innovations like plate glass windows, electric lights and passenger elevators. In comparison to the great metropolitan centres, Ottawa’s fondly remembered versions of these emporia of wonders were smaller in scale but equally ambitious and great objects of civic pride. To warm your holiday gift-buying experience, visit stores like A.E. Rea and Co., R.J. Devlin Co., Bryson Graham Ltd., Murphy-Gamble Co., Charles Ogilvy Ltd. and A.J. Freiman’s.

You are invited to join us for refreshments. The book will be available for purchase at the lecture. The lecture is free and there is no need to pre-register.

Speakers Program: Andrew Cohen

Join your neighbours for informal evenings with distinguished speakers. Presentations will be followed by questions, coffee and cookies. Admission is free. The Speakers Program is an initiative of the Rockcliffe Park Residents Association and is supported by the Rockcliffe Park Foundation.

“Trump’s Washington: Post Mid-term Elections – U.S. Relationship”

Award-winning columnist, former Washington correspondent and best-selling author reflects on the significance of the U.S. mid-term elections and what they mean for Donald Trump’s chaotic, unprecedented presidency as it approaches its mid-point in January.