The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce is collecting information from musicians interested in performing in the third July Jamz Summer Concert Series.
“We have applications available at the Chamber,” Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said. “We are trying to get information together about who is interested in performing and what kinds of music people want to hear.”
Duffy said the Chamber has already heard from some really good bands who are interested in performing. “Every summer, after we get started, we end up hearing from people who want to perform,” she said. “If you want to participate and perform, now is the time to let us know so we can try to participate and fit it in the line-up. We have to know soon what our budget needs to be, so we can begin fundraising to bring it all together.”
The information needed includes contact information, a description of the music, members’ names, instruments, lighting and sound requirements, local ties to the community, and fees.
For additional information, contact Duffy at or 334.222.2030.
Andalusia Star News
Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson and City Clerk John Thompson are shown talking with Public Works Director Glynn Rawls Tuesday afternoon about the handicapped ramp being constructed this week in front of Clark Theatre.
The ramp is one of many improvements being made as the historic theater is being totally renovated. The once three-story building will now have two levels, with two theaters downstairs and one upstairs.
The renovation includes adding new restrooms and moving the snack bar facility in the lobby, as well as the changes to the theaters. New seating also has been installed, including some reclining seats. On the street beside the theater, the sidewalk will be widened, and traffic will become one-laned. Interior renovations are almost complete, and the theater is expected to reopen in April.
Andalusia Star News
The Andalusia City Council is considering changes in sanitation in Andalusia. Under the proposed plan, the monthly cost to residents and businesses would increase $5 per hobo or “wheeled container,” per month. The cost to the city for removing trash, garbage and lawn debris is almost $1 million each year. Current fees only account for about seventy – five percent of sanitation costs to the city. The proposed changes would recover the expenses and provide more litter control in Andalusia.
Andalusia Star News
Cookies coordinator Kiley Spears, right, with Sara Rose Sanders.
Kiley Spears was tired and frustrated Saturday.
Spears, who produces Meredith’s Miracles’ Cookies with Characters each year, had just finished her 11th consecutive show.
“Not many people realize how many many many hours goes into planning and setting up that size of an event,” she said. “From recruiting 121 kids to play the characters, 73 sponsors, down to the small details of making sure each and everything is set up. It takes months to plan and days to set up.” And then, she got feedback that someone was disappointed.
“It was pretty disheartening for me,” she said, “even though I understand that I can’t please everyone.”
It was about this time that Sara Rose Sanders approached Spears. Read More>
Sales taxes up for 3rd consecutive December
Sales tax collections for the City of Andalusia in December indicate that those who visited Candyland did more than take advantage of the free downtown event.
Sales tax collections were 3 percent higher for December 2016 (collected in January 2017) than in December 2015. The increase of $27,041 in collections in 2016 represents $600,911 in retail sales. Sales tax collections were up 2 percent for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 (October through December of 2016) over the same period last year.
Figures provided by Andalusia City Clerk John Thompson show the collections have increased each of the past three Decembers, in which Candyland activities and traffic have also increased. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said retail stimulation is just one of the goals of Candyland, which is produced in a partnership of the Chamber, city, and private businesses.
“The event has three main goals, tourism, retail stimulation and community involvement,” Duffy said. “We brought roughly 30,000 visitors to the downtown area of Andalusia in December of last year, many of whom came across county and state lines.
“For a small rural town with no beaches or other draws, this is a huge accomplishment,” she said.
While the retail growth is impressive, Duffy said another amazing thing happened.
“Our community took pride in the event and found a new reason to be proud of the place we all cherish and call home,” she said.
The event also generated positive publicity and exposure for the community.
“According to our social media channels – 200,743 people saw the Candyland event come through their newsfeed during the month of December,” she said. “Of those, 50,073 either commented, shared, liked or tagged the event.” Most of those people were from outside of Covington County, she said.
The event also received positive press locally, and across the state and region.