Andalusia Youth League Soccer practice was in full session Thursday night. Above: Cayden Bush runs for a goal during the 4-and 5-year-old practice.
Gamma Health Care’s new Andalusia facility is about a month away from opening, company officials said Thursday.
Sandi Burkhardt, manager for the organization’s new Andalusia lab, said she is receiving state-of-the-art medical equipment and expects to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of the area medical community.
Gamma’s Andalusia operation will conduct lab testing for doctors and other medical facilities and have a walk-in clinic where patients can have lab work done.
“Our walk-in clinic will be open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., so that patients can come before work or after work,” Burkhardt said. Drug screens also will be available.
Gamma provides same-day test results in a wide range of fields, including anatomic pathology, cytology, microbiology, and clinical hematology, Burhardt said.
Gamma regional manager Zac Buckelew said the company, which is based in Poplar Bluff, Mo., prides itself on providing patient care that allows clients to be in and out in 10 minutes.
Company president Jerrod Murphy, who is working in Andalusia this week, said he has been very pleased with the welcome and cooperation Gamma has received locally.
The corporate office is located in the county seat of a similarly-sized county.
Gamma will open its Andalusia location with five employees, and expects to add an additional 25 as area business grows. Gamma CEO Jerry Murphy announced plans to place the facility here in January.
It is located on South Three Notch.
The company also has facilities in 14 other locations in Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Its only other Alabama facility is located in Mobile.
The Andalusia City Council had the first reading of ordinances to rezone three parcels of property last night, including:
• A parcel behind the hospital and adjacent to apartments rezoned from R-3 to MED to allow for medical offices or facilities.
• A parcel on South Three Notch at the bottom of the hill when traveling toward town from the hospital, rezoned to MED. A traffic study will be completed before action is taken on this request.
• A parcel on the bypass across from Brooklyn Road, rezoned from B-3, R-1 to B-3. All of the adjacent property currently is B-3.
Council members will vote on the proposed changes at their Sept. 20th meeting.
The council also:
• Declared property at 101 Doyle St., 204 6th Ave., and 13200 Brooklyn Rd. public nuisances so that abatement proceedings could begin against property owners.
For just a “sawbuck,” local residents can get admission to the “greatest show on earth,” or at least Andalusia’s version of it.
The Andalusia Adult Activity Center’s annual fundraiser will feature Little Egypt’s Vintage Traveling Show, including fire dance, bellydancers, drumming, magic, comical interludes and a hypnotic mentalist, said center Director Dianne Jones.
“Prepare to be mystified, delighted and enchanted by a bevy of bellydancing beauties from faraway exotic lands,” Jones said. “Hypnotic feats and daring sideshow delights await you as you enjoy a turn-of-the-century carnival world.”
The Sweet Magnolia Gypsies Belly Dance Troupe featuring Amy Henderson will be among the entertainment.
Jones said included in the price are carny snacks, including Coke and root beer, moon pies and peanuts.
Tickets are on sale now for a sawbuck, which is carny slang for $10, and are going fast, she said.
“Don’t delay, tickets sold out in advance last year,” she said. “This is one of our main fundraisers, and all proceeds go to the center.”
The event will be held at the AAC on Oct. 1, from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the Adult Activity Center.
There are already 26 events booked at Springdale through May of 2012, Mayor Earl Johnson told the city council Tuesday night.
Of those 26 events, nine are two-day events, and one is a three-day event. Most of the months of January and February are blocked for concentrated work on the grounds, according to a schedule council members received.
The events on the books so far range from luncheons to wedding receptions, and include six public events.
Coterie Club plans movies under the stars fundraisers on Oct. 21 and May 11; the city will hosts its second Christmas Open House there Dec. 2 –4; Easter egg hunts are planned April 3-5; Coterie’s Storybook Festival is April 14; and Andalusia Junior Women’s Club’s Three Notch Market will be May 4-5.
For information about holding an event at Springdale, contact Barbara Tyler.