On Tuesday, November 9, the Birmingham Public Library’s “Alabama Bound Presents” series hosts Pat Duggins, a veteran journalist who has covered more than 100 space shuttle missions for National Public Radio. Duggins, who in the past year was named news director at Alabama Public Radio, is an engaging speaker who will enthrall anyone remotely fascinated by outer space. In his latest book, Trailblazing Mars: NASA’s Next Giant Leap, he examines the financial and technological challenges surrounding notions of flying people to Mars. His first book was Final Countdown: NASA and the End of the Space Shuttle Program. Duggins’ inaugural space-related assignment for NPR was the Challenger explosion in 1986. In a September, 2010, interview with Brevard Community College’s Space and Astronomy Lecture series, Duggins addressed the future of America’s space exploration: “The biggest growing pains for NASA in terms of going on to Mars is going to come along with President Obama’s idea of using commercial space capsules in order to take people to the space station.” His criticism focuses on the private sector’s current rush to compete for manned space missions, whereas NASA is accustomed to testing repeatedly to ensure astronaut safety. For those smitten with space exploration, Duggins’ lecture is not to be missed. His appearance takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the Central Library’s Arrington Auditorium in the Linn Henley Building at 2100 Park Place. Details: www.bplonline.org or call 226-3742.

Rosanne Cash Sings her Father’s Favorite Songs

By Ed Reynolds

Singer Rosanne Cash has lived up to the pressure of being the musician daughter of one of music’s most revered icons, the late Johnny Cash. After touring as a backup singer with her father’s band as a teen, Cash studied English and drama at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, where she recorded a demo with future husband Rodney Crowell that launched her musical career. In 1985 she won a Grammy and has since racked up 11 number one country hits. She is regarded as one of the giants of the generation of country stars that first appeared in the 1980s.

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Cash’s father once made a list of the 100 songs he wanted her to be familiar with as part of her musical education, including Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings” and Bob Dylan’s “Girl from the North Country.” Rosanne recorded 12 of the songs in 2009 on the CD The List, which won “Album of the Year” at the 2010 Americana Honors and Awards Show in September. Her duet with Bruce Springsteen, “Sea of Heartbreak,” has been nominated for a Grammy. She also recently penned a best-selling memoir, Composed, which tells of life growing up with Johnny and his second wife (her stepmother), June Carter Cash.

Rosanne Cash will include songs from The List when she performs at the Alys Stephens Center at 1200 10th Avenue South on Friday, October 22, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40–$60; students $20. Details: 975-2787; www.alysstephens.org for details.