The fourth and last production of the 2012-2013 Covington Arts Council, the show features a timeless theme, said CAC executive director Paula Harr.

“Even though it’s set in a different place and time, it deals with the themes of love, tradition and family – something that’s always current,” Harr said.

Fiddler on the Roof, based on the stories of Sholom Aleichem, has captured the hearts of people all over the world with its humor, warmth and honesty.

In the little village of Anatevka, Tevye, a poor milkman is trying to keep his family’s traditions in place. Yet, times are changing. And when Tevye’s daughters want to make their own matches, he must choose between his own daughters’ happiness and those beloved traditions that keep the outside world at bay. Yet, it is Tevye’s love of his family, pride and faith that help him face the dangerous forces in Anatevka that threaten to destroy the very life he and his fellow villagers are trying to preserve.

Advanced tickets are $15 each, $18 the night of the performance and $10 for students and are available at Ansley Place, Harold’s Furniture and Brooks True Value Hardware.

- Andalusia Star News

The local Relay for Life fundraising season is full swing and opportunities to help the cause abound, said Chairman Larry Brown/

Relay for Life is an organized, overnight community American Cancer Society fundraising walk designed to serve as a culmination of months of fundraising to fight against cancer.

Currently, there are 17 teams registered to participate in this year’s “Playing for a Cure” themed event, which will be held on April 26 at the Kiwanis Center fairgrounds.

Brown said teams hold fundraisers to help meet the $105,000 fundraising goal.

“There’s still time for teams to register, as well as opportunities for individuals to participate by helping with fundraisers,” Brown said.

Upcoming events include:

• City of Andalusia Barbecue sack lunch on March 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Deadline for ticket orders is Friday. Cost is $5 for a sandwich, chips, drink and cookie. Tickets are on sale at the Adult Activity Center. Delivery of tickets and food is available to businesses or organizations with 10 or more orders.

• Andalusia Hospital’s masquerade ball on Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Springdale. Tickets are reduced to $20 per person. Goers will enjoy a live band, silent auction and hors d’oeuvres. A photographer will be on hand to capture the night’s look. Cocktail hour is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Masks required and will be available at the door for purchase.

Tickets are available at ARH emergency department or at Sherwin Williams. Semi-formal dress preferred. One must be 21 or older to attend. For more information, please contact Amy Herrington at 222-6953.

• City of Andalusia’s karaoke contest on Sat., March 9, at 1 p.m. at the Adult Activity Center, for those age 12-19 and 20 and up. Registration will be held from 10 a.m. until noon. Cost is $15, which is non-refundable. All contestants should arrive by 12:45 p.m. First place winners will earn a spot to perform at the Rattlesnake Rodeo in Opp. Admission is $2.

To be eligible, contestants must have never performed for money, must select appropriate songs with no vulgarity in words or actions, and bring CDG (if you want the words to show) or CD/tape if no words are needed. Contestants must have two songs picked out in the event of a tie. The following areas will be judged: song, vocal ability, presentation and audience response. Prizes depend upon number of participants. Call 222-6891 for additional information.

• Relay for Life beauty pageant on March 16 at the LBW Community College Dixon Center. Applications are available at WAAO, Cadence Bank, P&J Formals, Upsy Daisy and CEC.

• Southeast Alabama Gas District bass tournament on March 23 at Pt. A Park. Cost $90 per boat; $10 optional big fish per boat. For more information, contact Randy Castleberry at 488-4238 or Reba Gantt at 488-0543.

- Andalusia Star News

A long-rumored deal was finalized yesterday when Back Home Brothers LLC closed on property for the construction of a Zaxby’s in front of the Covington Mall.

Elba natives Troy Brown and Scott Brown said they were looking for an opportunity closer to home and family.

“We really liked the town,” Scott said.

Between the two of them, they have about 45 years in the wood business. They’ve lived all over the country, from Georgia to Mississippi to Minnesota. Now, they’re preparing to move to Andalusia.

Zaxby’s was founded by two men who had been childhood pals in Georgia who hatched their idea on a basketball court. The restaurant, which specializes in all things chicken, is now franchised in 13 states. The menu includes chicken strips, chicken sandwiches, chicken wings and salads.

The Browns said they expect to break ground by March 15, and construction is expected to take 100 days. When it opens some time this summer, Zaxby’s will employ about 30 people.

Local developer John Tisdale said the Browns have been great to work with.

“We are certainly glad to have them in Andalusia,” Tisdale said. “Having them here will make a big difference in redevelopment of the mall.”

Troy Brown said the progressive attitude of the mayor and others toward developing the city was a factor in their decision to locate here.

The infrastructure work done in Andalusia in the last five years is impressive, Scott said, especially considering the national economy.

Tisdale commended local Realtor Danny Solomon, who worked as a transaction specialist for both sides in the project. Tisdale said he has seen increased inquiries from businesses scouting new locations in recent weeks.

- Andalusia Star News

It will likely be January or February of 2015 before a project to refurbish South Three Notch – for which the City of Andalusia has been granted $8.6 million – is finished, if everything goes “hunky dory.”

That’s the message the Andalusia City Council got from Mayor Earl Johnson and engineer Tim Ramsden of CDG Engineering Tuesday.

The funds were announced by Gov. Robert Bentley Monday in the third round of ATRIP awards. Andalusia’s was the fourth-largest grant awarded in the state.

City leaders are working with financial advisors on the best way to locally fund its $2.1 million portion of the project, but will likely need a bond issue to raise the matching funds for the project, Johnson said.

But the city won’t need as much cash as previous grant projects have required.

Normally, when municipalities receive state funding, the projects are let, and the state reimburses municipalities for its portion of the expenses.

Ramsden explained that once design work is completed and “blessed” by state Department of Transportation officials, the state actually will let bids for the ATRIP projects. The state will then pay contractors and the local governments will reimburse the state for their 20 percent matches.

Ramsden said as currently designed, the project includes upgrades to the street, including paving, sidewalks and curbs, as well as installing underground utilities and upgrading existing water, sewerage and gas lines. Decorative lighting also will be installed.

He said he expects South Three Notch will be a two-lane road from the railroad tracks to the crest of the hill, then a three-lane road with a turning lane as it transitions to the hospital, with four lanes leading to the bypass. However, it could be changed to be three lanes from the hospital to the bypass. Much will depend upon a formal traffic study at Andalusia Regional Hospital and Moore Road, he said.

The project will be similar in scope to the recent River Falls Street project, Ramsden said, estimating that the South Three Notch will take 10 to 14 months.

- Andalusia Star News