Charles Anderson said he has tried to be as scientific as possible in creating his In Search of Eden list of the top small cities in America.
The retired high school geography and civics teacher who spent more than 50 years researching his list, which he hopes will be published by a national magazine. He’s spent most of the last year contacting communities on the list, and revising it somewhat.
And the revisions keep getting better for Andalusia.
The list always ranked Andalusia higher than any other small town in Alabama, and originally had the city 49th in the nation.
But Anderson has revised that list twice, first moving Andalusia to No. 44, replacing Livingston, Mont., because “it has too much wind in the colder months.”
And, because community spirit matters, he said.
Actually, community spirit matters so much, that after a recent visit, Anderson moved Andalusia to No. 33 on the list.
“When I do the kinds of thing that I do, I try to be as scientific as possible,” he said Friday. “But after 50 years, I know it’s impossible. There is leeway, and in a certain group of towns, various reasons I could put one higher or lower. I just like you guys, and I think you deserve extra, because you and your mayor have done so much with it. It shows enthusiasm in and for your town you don’t always see.”
Anderson said Andalusia has a perfect... READ MORE>
Wanna ride? Then come on out to the Kiwanis Covington County Fair this week through Sunday. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Here’s the schedule and admissions cost:
• Today: 10 a.m. until noon, and on the midway only, there’s free admission for disabled citizens only. Pay one price of $20, and ride until closing, or buy individual tickets. Tonight is also the Tiny Miss Covington County Fair at 6:30 p.m. Active military and reserve military receive free admission with military ID.
• Wednesday: It’s family night! Admission is $5 for adults; $3 for children. Pay one price of $15 and ride until closing or buy individual tickets. Entertainment for the... READ MORE>
After months of hard work and wait, Andalusia’s tourism and relocation committee cookbook, “Heart & Soul” has arrived and is available for sale.
For nearly a year, volunteers have worked to immortalize the area’s most notable recipes, as well as the stories about their cooks – the end result is a historical cookbook that reflects the culture and heritage of the Andalusia area, said T&R member Barbara Nichols.
“Residents were encouraged to support this project by sending in their favorite recipes with a comment or story about the history behind that recipe,” Nichols said. “The result is this beautiful cookbook.”
Inside the 264-page cookbook are countless pleasers for even the pickiest eaters.
“The book’s story is told for the perspective of a rocking chair sitting on the front porch of anywhere in this town,” Nichols said. “The nature of the narrative, as well as the historical comments and helpful cooking tips, promise the reader a truly great read.”
To make sure the book included only the best-tasting recipes, volunteers taste-tested some 350-plus recipes submitted for... READ MORE>
Wanna see a magic trick?”
No, it’s not a trick question – it’s the opening line for the three upcoming appearances by famed husband and wife illusionists, The Spencers.
This will be the couple’s third appearance in Andalusia, but it won’t be just a traditional performance as in year’s past. This year, the Spencers will be bringing their award-winning and medically-accepted therapeutic techniques to therapists and educators alike.
And, they end their stay as the opening act for this year’s Covington Arts Council’s season on Saturday.
CAC Director Paula Harr said Tuesday the Spencers bring a unique talent to the area.
“They are nothing like you’ve ever seen,” Harr said. “In addition to his stellar entertainment career, Kevin is also an assistant professor at the University of Alabama in Birmingham in the occupational therapy department. He teaches future healthcare professional on the therapeutic use of simple magic tricks in physical and psychosocial rehabilitation.”
It’s those skills that will be highlighted in two workshops on Thursday. Spencer’s magic trick-based work has been featured in the Journal of the American Medical Association, HEALTH magazine and The Washington Post. Additionally, the concepts of “magic therapy” have been approved by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and are being used in more than 2,000 facilities in 30 countries.
Spencer’s research on the educational benefits of integrating magic tricks into the classroom for students with autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities (called the Hocus Focus project) has been published in the Journal of the International Association of Special Education and the Journal of the International Society for Teacher Education. It’s those concepts that local physical and occupational therapists will get introduced to at a 10 a.m. workshop. The class can be used for professional continuing education credits.
“What I’ll be doing is teaching therapists simple magic tricks they can use as part of a patient’s treatment,” Spencer said. “Instead of taking a piece of tubing and getting their client to stretch it for strength. They can use a trick, like tying it into a knot, making it fun.
“Think about it this way if you were a therapist,” he said. “Would you rather say watch me put these pegs in a board or let me show you a magic trick?”
Local educators and parents of special needs children are invited to a free 3:30 p.m. workshop using similar techniques.
This is where Spencer said his heart is – with children.
“These days there are so many inclusive classrooms,” he said. “And for me, it’s magic trick intergration. For teachers, instead of getting up and using a lecturing style of teaching, we give them an option to teach students a magic trick that can align with common core or national standards in math, science and language arts.
“For example, if they’re doing fractions or physics, you can take two paper clips, place them on a folded dollar bill, and when you unfold the bill, the paper clips leap in the air and link together,” he said. “Truly. And what kid doesn’t love magic?”
Spencer said the tricks also work to help children on autism spectrum work on fine gross motor skills, cognitive skills, organization...READ MORE>
The Andalusia City Council passed a continuing resolution Tuesday to extend its 2013 budget.
Mayor Earl Johnson said council members are looking at items that can affect the budget over the next several years.
The council also abated seven properties for weed violations, including: READ MORE>