The Coterie Club of Andalusia is rounding out October with two upcoming events – a “
Movie Under the Stars” event Fri., Oct. 21, and the annual kids’ “Fun Run” on Oct. 29.
Coterie member Heather Owen said Friday’s movie is made possible through a partnership with the Southern Peanut Growers and will feature “Zookeeper” on the Springdale lawn. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m.
“In honor of the Halloween season, we’ll open with a pre-movie cartoon, ‘It’s a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown,’” Owen said. “The movie will begin at sundown, which according to the Farmer’s Almanac, is about 6:30 p.m.”
Admission is free.
Owen said concessions will be sold, so no coolers or outside food will be allowed.
“Come out with your family and friends, bring your lawn chairs and blankets and get ready for a great Movie Under the Stars,” she said. “For us, October is a very busy month. We’ve got the movie on Friday and our annual fun run the very next weekend.”
Owen said this is the 11th year the local civic club has sponsored the run, which, this year, will be held on Oct. 29.
Registration will be held on Fri., Oct. 28, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at city hall or the day of the race beginning at 7 a.m.
“This 5K run/walk is for all ages and starts at 9 a.m. in front of the First United Methodist Church,” Owen said. “At 10 a.m., the Coterie Club will host Meredith’s Mile for children ages 3 to 16, starting in the CCB parking lot. Then, at 10:30 a.m. the tot trot for children ages 0 to 4 will be held behind the city hall. It’s going to be a great fun-filled day.”
The registration fees are as follows: 5K pre-race $12, day of race $15; Meredith’s Mile pre-race $10, day of $12; and the Tot Trot is free. T-shirts are available for purchase without race participation for $15.
Racers will be awarded trophies, medallions and door prizes. Coterie members are also selling $1 chances where five lucky raffle winners will take home $50 cash on Saturday.
“The Coterie Club of Andalusia has contributed thousands of dollars to improve the quality of life for all children in Covington County,” Owen said. “Last year’s event raised $12,492 for a total of $106,842 over the last 10 years.”
For more information about the upcoming race, contact Debbie Maraman, race coordinator, at 222-8511.
It was all about fun when the Kiwanis Covington County Fair opened Monday. Above: Alaina Nettles and Dalton and Ryan Palmer felt the wind rush through their hair and has smiles on their faces. Today, Tues., Oct. 18, the Midway will be open with free admission for disabled citizens only. Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; close at 10 p.m. The Tiny Miss Covington County Fair pageant, for ages 4 and 5, is set for 6:30 p.m
‘Courageous’
Showing throughout the weekend.
Honor Flight
Veterans left at 3 a.m., will arrive home tonight at midnight.
A-Town Invitational
Competition begins at 12:45 p.m. today at AHS.
‘Little Egypt Traveling Show’
At the Adult Activity Center at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each.
Florala’s ‘Factory of Horrors’
Doors will open tonight at 6:30. Cost: $7 for adults, $5 for kids.
Contemporary Folk Art Show
Opening reception, LAAC, 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Sunday
Put on your gameday gear, pack up some goodies and take the family down to the PowerPlant Market Place for the Music Around Town’s Tailgate and Tunes event this weekend.
Organizer Jewel Curry said the event is “just good clean fun.”
“There’ll be TVs inside the PowerPlant for those who want to watch the game,” she said. “Bring your own treats, and we’ll be tailgating. Wear your team colors, and it doesn’t have to be just Auburn or Alabama. Wear Andalusia, Straughn, Red Level or whomever is your favorite team. ”
Curry said there’ll be plenty of music, with a disc jockey on hand.
“Come out and laugh, dance and fellowship,” she said. “Some cheerleaders will be there leading the cheers. It’s going to be so much fun.”
Tisdale Street will be blocked off, and someone will be on hand directing the parking, Curry said.
“Put on your best manners,” she said. “This is going to be a good, family gathering.”
No alcoholic beverages are allowed – not even in coolers, she said.
The free event will run from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Congresswoman Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, said she came to Andalusia Tuesday to “get educated” on the issues that matter to constituents.
Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson and others involved with industrial development gave her an earful.
Senate bill 63 would extend HUBZone certification for those that would lose the status Oct. 1, but the measure hasn’t passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Both Johnson and CCEDC board member Ed Short told Roby that the measure is critical to Covington County.
The certification, officially Historically Underutilized Business Zones, is part of a program that gives incentives for the U.S. federal government to do contracting with businesses that operate and create jobs in communities with statistically proven economic needs.
A number of local businesses will be adversely affected if the designation is not extended, Johnson said.
“It doesn’t cost anything,” Johnson said of the incentive. “All it does is give those businesses points when they are bidding on a government contract.”
Johnson said he and other officials are talking with two prospective industries now for whom having HUBZone certification would be critical in a decision to locate here.
Mark Pugh of CDG Engineering also spoke about the HUBZone certification and said it also is critical to his firm.
“Sixty-five percent of our employees live in a HUBZone,” he said, adding that having the designation puts his firm and others like it on more of a level playing field.
The proposed legislation to extend the designation for three years affects 3,400 businesses nationwide. House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves, R-Mo., does not support the bill, H.R. 2131, which has seven cosponsors, representing both parties.
Roby committed to get up to speed on the issue, understand its fiscal impact, and support it if she finds it beneficial for residents in the 2nd Congressional District.
Roby spoke first to the Andalusia Rotary Club and then at a program for Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce members at city hall. She also had questions about future BRAC (Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission) and the effect future cuts might have on Ft. Rucker.
“Ft. Rucker is very unique in its ability to grow,” Roby said, adding that it has some unique abilities other military bases don’t have.
“There are more (defense) cuts to come, whether or not there is a formal BRAC,” she said. “We are preparing ahead of time.”