Monthly Reminders

Hey there residents!

We have a few reminders to post:

The HOA Meeting is March 10, 2009 at Dubose Middle School. Please bring your voting ballot that you received in the mail. Don't worry if you don't have one, there will be copies available at the meeting.

Daylight savings time starts Sunday, March 8, 2009. Don't forget to Spring Forward and set your clocks ahead 1 hour before you go to bed Saturday night!

The Warm weather will be coming in this weeked, so this is the perfect time to get out and give some attention to your properties! Check out the exterior of your homes for cold weather damage, do small repairs, prepare flower gardens for planting, fertilize lawns and tidy up your driveways and walkways. More and more people will start to come out and enjoy the greenspace and neighborhood, so take some time to give your properties some TLC.

Most important... Enjoy Your weekend!

HOA Meeting Coming Soon!

The next HOA meeting will be held on March 10, at 7PM. The location will be at Dubose Middle School. As always, it is very important that you attend these meetings, as they are provided as an opportunity to vote on covenances that govern and protect our investments.

Letters have been sent out with all of the information detailing the topics that will be covered in this meeting. Be sure to bring your voting ballot, or mail in your proxy vote if you can not attend. You can also give your proxy to Ray Walsh, the HOA President.

Do your part and come out to support our community! See you there!

2.5 Magnitude Earthquake Felt in Lowcountry

A 2.5 Magnitude earthquake shook the lowcountry on January 29, 2009 in the lowcountry! The epicenter was near North Charleston, but could be felt miles from this location. As you may recall, last month we also had a earthquake that was 3.6 in magnatude. Please check out the previous blog article posted about the earthquake (two posts down) and you can also check out these links for information about yeaterday's earthquake.

Jan 29 Earthquake Map

Jan 29 Earthquake Details

A New Year... New Community Resolutions!

Welcome to 2009 Bradford Chase Residents!

This is the time of year where new resolutions kick in and change is in order. Let's make this the year where we can start off will some great things!

Resolution #1

Come to the HOA meetings and help meet the quorum in efforts to vote in bylaws that will protect our investments. We received many emails about the need for an HOA meeting before the turn of the new year, and we relayed this information to our HOA. We were given this opportunity to meet on December 18, but many residents had prior obligations. Therefore we were informed we did not meet quorum. We will keep you informed of when the HOA will be meeting again, and help get the word out. Tell a neighbor!

Resolution #2

Please make an effort to take down all holiday decorations by the end of January. Not only is this unsightly, but it can also pose a hazzard for tripping, falling, electrical shorts and other hazzards. Guidelines on holiday decor removal are outlined in your convenance you signed when you purchased/rented your home.

Resolution #3

Make sure that your HOA Dues are paid by January 31st! Letters from the HOA were sent out a few weeks ago, and the HOA fees are $150 per home. Please be aware that HOA dues are used for the maintainance and upkeep of our community, and allows residents to enjoy our neighbood ponds, gazebos and wildlife. It also will enable us to have community events sponsored by the HOA. These fees are an investment in ourselves, the residents! A link to the payment address is located on the left hand panel of this page, under Blog Article Quick Links, or click here.

These are some of many things that we can do to get our community off to a great start for 2009! If you have any recommendations to post, please comment below or send them to us at bradford.chase@ymail.com. Thanks!

HOA Meeting Today!

Reminder: The HOA meeting will be today at 6PM at Dubose Middle School in their cafeteria. For those who voted in the 2008 Presidential Elections, this is where our polling place was as well. Remember to bring your voting ballots for the HOA Board member elections with you, and remind your neighbors about the meeting. be prepared to discuss any issues or concerns you may have, afterall, the HOA can not help with anything that is not brought to their attention. If you are unfamiliar with Dubose Middle School the driving directions are provided below:

Leaving the Bradford Chase Subdivision on Nettles Lane, turn right on to Butternut Road. Drive to 4 way stop and turn Right on to Orangeburg road. Travel down past Pinewood prep and Plum Creek Subdivision. Take the next Right After passing Plum Creek. (You will see signs that will say William Reeves and Dubose Middle). Travel down Dubose School road and Dubose Middle is the school furthest to the back. The Cafeteria is on the far left side of the school. See you there!

3.6 Magnitude Earthquake Felt in Lowcountry

The U.S. Geological Survey has confirmed that a 3.6 magnitude earthquake occurred in Dorchester County at 7:42 a.m. today. The epicenter of the earthquake was four miles south-southwest of Summerville, and was felt throughout the Tri-county area of Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston Counties. For specifics on this Earthquake, CLICK HERE.

At this time, there have been only minor reports of damage. Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester County officials are working closely with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division and federal partners.

RESIDENTS SHOULD REPORT ANY DAMAGES TO THEIR COUNTY

Charleston County: (843) 202-7400
Berkeley County: (843) 719-4166
Dorchester County: (843) 832-0341

INFORMATION ON WHAT TO DO DURING AND AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE

What to do when an earthquake occurs:

If indoors:

Take cover under a piece of heavy furniture or against an inside wall and hold on.

Stay inside.

The most dangerous thing to do during the shaking of an earthquake is to try to leave the building because objects can fall on you.

If outdoors:

Move into the open, away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires.
Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.

If in a moving vehicle:

Stop quickly and stay in the vehicle.

Move to a clear area away from buildings, trees, overpasses or utility wires.

Once the shaking has stopped, proceed with caution. Avoid bridges or ramps that might have been damaged by the quake.

What to do after an earthquake occurs:

Be prepared for aftershocks

Although smaller than the main shock, aftershocks cause additional damage and may bring weakened structures down. Aftershocks can occur in the first hours, days, weeks, or even months after the quake.

Help injured or trapped persons

Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.

Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for the latest emergency information.

Remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance - infants, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Stay out of damaged buildings - Return home only when authorities say it is safe.

Use the telephone only for emergency calls.

Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches or gasoline or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the area if you smell gas or fumes from other chemicals.

Open closet and cupboard doors cautiously.

Inspect the entire length of chimneys carefully for damage. Unnoticed damage could lead to a fire.

Inspecting Utilities in a Damaged Home

Check for gas leaks - If you smell gas or hear a blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.

Look for electrical system damage - If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.

Check for sewage and water lines damage - If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid using water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.

Helpful Links to track and report Earthquakes:
Earthquake Hazzards Program
Real Time US Earthquake Maps
Earthquake Notification Service

**Also, now would be a good time to review and/or update your homeowners policies to ensure you have the coverage that you need**

HOA Contact Information Now Available

Welcome Residents!

We have finally reposted the contact information for our HOA! Thanks to all of you who researched and provided us with the authorization information that would allow us to provide this to you. We hope that this will encourage all of use this information to keep in contact with our HOA, and participate in meetings and events that will come with the new year. The information is also provided publically via the Bradford Chase Official Website, and is as follows:

HOA Manager: Diane Hommel
Email: bradfordchasehoa@gmail.com
Phone: 843-529-9690
Fax: 843-529-9756

Business Address:

2154 North Center Street, Suite 204B
North Charleston, SC 29406

HOA President: Ray Walsh
Email: walshr@sc.rr.com

Please call or email with any questions or concerns about our community with the above information. This will also be anchored on our left hand panel of this page as well. Thank you for all of your support!

Picking the Perfect (and Safe) Christmas Tree

Now that you have been stuffed with turkey with all the trimmings, it's time to
prepare for the next big holiday... Christmas! One of the most exciting events of the season is picking out the perfect Christmas tree. We will give you a few tips
on selecting the perfect tree, maintaing, safe decor and disposal.Picking out a Tree. Before leaving home to pick out your Christmas tree, take measurements of thearea in which you will place the tree to ensure it will fit. If you wish to purchase your tree from a retail lot, there are a few things you should check for when selecting your tree:

Check to make sure that the needles and branches are flexible when bent. If
they snap, the tree may be dehaydrated and will not last very long. A dry tree may be a fire hazzard when decorated with lights.

Check the stump of the tree. Look to see if the stump is at least 6" long
and is sappy. A sappy tree is a fresh cut healthy tree.

Hold the tree up and tap the stump on the ground a few times. Observe to see
if needles are falling off. Run your hand down the needle branches. It is normal for a few brown needles to fall, but if an excess falls, avoid that tree!

Once you pick your tree, and get it home, prepare it by trimming stray branches and cutting 1" off the stump. This allows for better water intake. For easy disposal afterwards, open a tree sized disposal bag on the floor and place your tree mount in the middle. Select a secure stand that holds at least 1 gallon of water. It is normal for most fresh trees to consume 1-2 gallons of water during the first 24 hours.

There are several Tree Farms in the area in which you can pick and cut your own tree. You can visit the Lebanon Christmas Tree Farm north of Goose Creek at 843-688-5088 and Tomlison Farms in Ridgeville at 843-871-4223. Visit http://www.scchristmastrees.org for more information.

Decorate your tree with ornaments and lights that are safe for your tree and household. If you have little ones or pets, please keep in mind the precautions while selecting your decor. For lighting, it is safest to use UL listed mini lights with low heat. Never use candles or any open flame near your tree.

Keep you homes safe by checking all lighting, ornaments and other decor before using every year. Enjoy the wonderful holidays while picking your perfect tree!

HOA Letters Delivered & New Website!

Attention Residents: HOA Letters are Rolling in! We have received our letters, and you will find the following information inside:

Announcement and Proxy Submission Form

Voting Ballot

Annual Agenda

Letter to Homeowners Re:Websites

Please be sure to attend the meeting! We as residents can not expect improvements in our community if we do not attend the meeting. Your participation is very important.

Take a moment to visit the New Official Bradford Chase Website at www.bradfordchasehoa.info. Their site is definitely a work in progress. We have be notified that they have started copying parts of our website and pasting it to theirs (and without even asking us). Take a look at the contact lists on their site HERE . It's copied from us word for word. We have asked the HOA Manager to give our site credit on their official site since we authored the lists. They have ignored our request. We sincerely hope these actions are not a representation of what our HOA has for our community's future.

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We would like to say a few words about www.bradfordchasenews.com . This site is a resident run site to provide information and updates about our community. You are our voice. We are happy that the HOA has mentioned us in their letter. Yes, it is true that we have not disclosed our identity to the HOA. We did this for good reason. Our site is all about us.. the residents! We feel that the homeowners who volunteer to moderate, edit the site, take pictures, send out postcards, write the articles and reply to email have the right to remain anonymous. Many residents who submit articles and pictures do not want their names disclosed, and we fully respect that. Every member of our team is a Bradford Chase homeowner. We have paid out of pocket for everything we do. Our site and efforts are NOT HOA funded. Why do we do this? Because we care about our community.

As always, we encourage everyone to get involved. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and input. If you have questions about the HOA or need to get in touch with them, please refer to your HOA letter mailing, or contact us at Bradford.Chase@ymail.com and we can relay your concerns to the HOA Manager (or provide you their contact info). We would be happy to help out in any way we can. Thanks for your support!

HOA Meeting Update

We have contacted the HOA Manager, and have asked for a meeting before the turn of the year. They have worked out their schedules to have a meeting on Thursday December 18, 2008 at 6PM. It will be at the Dubose Middle School Cafeteria. The HOA will be mailing out letters Monday, November 17 announcing this new meeting. Please make sure that you make every effort to attend this meeting, and if you can not attend, be sure to submit your proxy vote. Let's start off the year with by-laws that will keep our community beautiful, and protect our investments!

HOA Meeting Postponed

During our last HOA Meeting that occured in September, it was proposed that we have a follow up meeting on November 12. This meeting date has been postponed, and will convene in the month of January 2009. The HOA will arrange door to door proxy voting, and have a quorum prior to the next meeting. It is very important that everyone participate. If you have any questions or concerns for the HOA or the community, please contact the HOA Manager Diane Hommel or President Ray Walsh (Contact info at top left of this page). We will update the website as more information becomes available.

Winterizing Your Home

The temperatures have started to fall and you have pulled out the winter sweaters and coats to keep your family warm and protected from the cold weather, but what about your home?

Now is the time that you start preparing and winterizing your home for the upcoming winter! There are several things that need to be done to protect your home from the frigid conditions.

1. Get your furnace/heat pumps/HVAC inspected. Have a HVAC professional inspect and clean the ducts. Change your filters monthly for optimum performance.

2. Get your fireplace and/gas unit inspected. Inspect the cap and ensure that is not missing. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned, freeing it of soot and other debris. Check the mortar for stability. When purchasing firewood, ensure that it is kept away from your home and covered to stay dry.

3. Inspect the exterior of your home/doors/windows. Check for loose or damaged siding and repair/replace. Check for cracks or broken seals in windows. Prime/paint any exposed wood that has been worn.

4. Clean and inspect roof gutters/downspouts. Clean out debris from gutters and downspouts. Cover gutter with mesh screen to prevent debris from getting into them.

5. Prepare Lawn and Gardening equipment for the winter. Drain lawnmowers of gasoline, clean and store. Clean gardening tools and store. Clean out garden sheds.

6. Check your foundations. Check your foundations for cracks and repair. Remove vegetation away from foundation and trim back shrubs and trees if needed. Remove bugs/foreign objects from window sills.

7. Replace batteries in smoke and carbon dioxide detectors. Check the status of your fire extinguisher and/or purchase a new one if needed in case of emergency.

8. Check your plumbing. Ensure that exposed plumbing pipes are properly insulated. Drain your water heater to remove sediment that settled over the past year. Drain/store water hoses if not needed.

9. Clean up your Landscaping. Trim back trees and shrubs. Remove dead vegetation. Winterize your lawn with the appropriate fertilizer.

10. Pack an emergency kit. Just like in case of a hurricane, it's important to have an emergency kit for winter. Ensure a few warm blankets, matches, water, canned goods, batteries and flashlights are available. Be sure to create a checklist of important items/information for your family in case of emergency.

Lost & Found : IPOD

We received an email from a resident that has found an IPOD in their yard today. If you or your child has lost an IPOD, please contact us at bradford.chase@ymail.com . If you have any lost items that you would like us post, please let us know. Thanks!

Update: The IPOD Owner has been located. Thank you so much for all who helped in the search!

Halloween Trick or Treating Tips

Wow! It's already that time of year again when children are dressing up in their halloween costumes and walk the neighborhoods, trick-or-treating for their favorite candy treats. To keep your little ghosts and goblins safe, just take a moment to read these great tips for this fun event!

• Carry a flashlight with fresh batteries to illuminate sidewalks, streets and pathways. This not only helps you see where you are headed, but also allows any vehicle traffic to see you coming. Glow sticks and reflective tape attached to the costumes are great as well.
• Be aware of how the costumes are designed, and use precaution when walking. Ensure that the lengths are adjusted to avoid tripping, and masks allow proper eyesight during the darkness.
• If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.
• Always stay in sight of your little ones. Never allow them to run ahead or approach a home alone.
• Carry and extra bag for candy just in case your child's bag breaks or gets too heavy to carry.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home for a treat.
• Children should only cross the street with an adult.
• Do not cut across yards or driveways when trick or treating. There may be items in the yard that can not be seen in the dark that could injure a child.

Homeowners, try to do the following the day before Halloween:

• Make sure your yard is clear of such things as ladders, hoses, dog leashes and flower pots that can trip the young ones.
• Secure your pets. Some pets get frightened or are threatened by trick or treaters.
• If you use candles for your jack-o-lantern, place them a distance away from where trick or treaters will be walking or standing.

There are quite a few homes in our community that have some awesome Halloween decorations this year! Take a moment to walk through the community and enjoy these creative displays. If you live in Bradford Chase, we would be happy to feature pictures of your home on this site if you wish. Please send pictures to bradford.chase@ymail.com . Please specify how and if you want your name displayed. We look forward to your pictures and a safe and Happy Halloween this year!

Caring for Your Vinyl Siding

Keeping our home's exterior in great condition is one of the great prides of being a homeowner. As time progresses, the physical appearance of our homes starts to deteriorate, but good maintenance habits and damage control will keep our homes appealing.


Care of your vinyl siding is an easy step you can take to keep your home beautiful. Some important tips to remember are:

- Wash it annually. Keeping it clean on a regular basis will keep you from scrubbing it harder when it becomes caked with dirt.
- Be careful with it. Keep lawnmowers, bicycles and lawn care items away from the siding so it doesn't crack or break.
- Keep hot things away from it. Grills, smokers, and patio torches can produce heat that can melt or warp your vinyl siding.

Cleaning vinyl siding is a snap with the right tools. If your siding isn't caked with dirt, mildew, or other foreign material, spraying it with a hose can wash away the dirt and grime that has accumulated throughout the year. If you need a cleaning solvent, some ordinary dish soap or laundry detergent mixed with water will do the trick. Where there are troubled areas, such as mildew, a mild solution of 1 quart of bleach, 1 gallon of water and a small amount of detergent. Scrub the areas with a soft-bristled, long-handled brush. You can also do this with Oxygen Bleach, which is a Green Product.

If scrubbing with a soft brush is going to be too much work, you can wash your siding with a power washer, which can be rented at your local home improvement store or other equipment rental business. If washing with a power washer, be careful not to spray into the seams of overlapping siding. This could cause moisture to get under the siding, causing mildew growth. Also, always spray from top to bottom, away from seams.

Try to avoid using bleach on the shutters. They fade extremely fast when bleach is used to clean them. This causes a horizontal streaking fade pattern on the shutters, as seen on many homes in our community. One resident had extreme fading on their shutters, and discovered an easy resolution to remedy the fading. It was ArmorAll, applied with a soft cloth. The shutters have now regained their luster, and look sparkling new! You can see the difference in the picture here.


If you have damaged or broken siding, shutters or other external finishing pieces, you can contact Lowcountry Renovations for repair. Their number is 851-1111. If you wish to do the repair yourself, you can buy the materials directly from our contractor for Bradford Chase at Revere Buiding Products at 745-5444. Their website is http://www.reverebuildingproducts.com/. The siding color palette and design used for our community is located here.