NASA ambassador Bill Hurd will talks about the outer planets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Bud Werner Memorial Library. A retired NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer, he will talk about spacecraft exploration of the outer planets and their moons, plus recent missions that are investigating moons of Jupiter and Saturn for environments that might be capable of supporting life.

Hurd retired in 2007 from a 40-year career as an electrical engineer doing research and development, system engineering and technical management on communications between Earth and spacecraft that explored the planets and outer space. He supported all NASA missions to the planets, specializing in communications systems related to the three 70-meter antennas worldwide which track aircraft in deep space.

During his tenure at NASA, he received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for technical and managerial leadership in the receiver-demodulator system that has been used in the Deep Space Network for the last 20 years. The library talk and slideshow is free. For more information, visit http://www.steamboatlibrary.org/events.

Woman’s cross country ski fitness series begins Friday

Catamount Touring Center will offer a women’s cross country ski fitness series begins today. The six-week, progressive cross country ski clinics will focus on improving technique, gaining fitness and having fun. The skate ski group meets from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays and the classic ski group meets from noon to 1:30 p.m. Fridays.  Cost is $175 for all six weeks or $40 per week on a drop-in basis. Rental equipment available. Call 970-871-6667 for reservations.

Youth basketball league now accepting registration

Steamboat Springs Youth Recreation League Basketball, powered by the High Altitude Basketball program, is now accepting registrations for the 2015 season. Interested boys and girls in third through sixth grades can register online at http://www.highaltitudebasketball.com or by calling 970-291-9448.