Arts briefs: Cross-country ski lessons offered at Lake Elmo Park Reserve

With copious amounts of snow blanketing the trails, cross-country skiers of all levels are invited to hit the trails during the eighth annual Washington County Parks Cross Country Ski Festival Saturday at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

Representatives from the Ride and Glide Ski Club will offer free one-hour lessons for both classic and skate skiers at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

Beginners will learn how to glide on their skis rather than just shuffling along. They also will learn tips for going up and down hills, along with basic skills to make the activity more enjoyable.

Lessons for intermediate skiers will focus on how to lengthen strides and focus on hill-climbing and field skating. Lessons for advanced skiers will focus on efficiency and performance.

A $10 donation will cover the ski lessons and equipment rental for classic skiers. Skate skiers will need to bring their own equipment. All proceeds from the event will go toward an effort to install lighting on the park reserve's trail in time for the 2011-12 ski season, said park manager Peter Mott.

Participants will need a Minnesota Ski Pass. A day pass for $5 will be available at the event. They also will need a Washington County Parks sticker to enter the park, or they may buy a $5 day parking pass at the gate at Keats Avenue and County Road 10.

For more information, call 651-430-8368.

In her talk, "Striving for Justice: Searching for Common Ground," Tutu will use personal stories as she recounts issues of racial oppression in South Africa and how much damage is done when people judge others solely on physical attributes. The event is free.

Tutu is currently the program coordinator of the Race Relations Institute at Fisk University in Nashville, Tenn. She also founded the Tutu Foundation to assist South African refugees. Century College is located at 3300 Century Av. N.

Fundraising with food and musicThe Stillwater Rotary Club on Friday will present its fourth annual Stillwater Sampler, a fundraiser affording those who attend an opportunity to sample dishes by 14 area restaurants.

Pianist/singer Alicia Wiley, who was named by the Minnesota Music Awards as the Best Female Vocalist of the Year and won the organization's award for the Best Self Released Recording in 2004, will provide the entertainment. Live and silent auctions, a raffle and cash bar also will be part of the festivities, which will run from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Grand Banquet Hall, 301 S. 2nd Street in Stillwater.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Rotary Club's local and international service projects, including the Arusha and Selian hospitals in Tanzania. In the past, the event has raised money for Stillwater High School scholarships, the United Way of Washington County, Lakeview Hospital, the Boy Scouts of America and the American Cancer Society. Tickets are $50 and available at www.stillwatersampler.com.