North Charleston Neighborhoods turn out to Stomp out Crime

On Tuesday, August 6th citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses and local officials in over 10,000 communities and military bases worldwide will join forces to mark the 30th Annual National Night Out.

Locally, the North Charleston Police Department, in conjunction with national sponsor Target Stores, and communities throughout the city take a stand against crime by holding various walks, cookouts and crime prevention projects.

At 6:00 p.m.  Police Chief Eddie Driggers, along with Mayor Keith Summey and Councilmember Rhonda Jerome and residents of the Pepperhill community, will kick off a neighborhood cookout and crime prevention education activities at the Pepperhill Community Center on Brandywine Road.

Similar events will occur simultaneously in neighborhoods throughout the city to include:  Forest Hills I, Charleston Farms, North Charleston Old Village, Woodlands, Coosaw Commons and Indigo on the Ashley  to name a few.  Citizens are asked to turn on their porch lights as a sign of unity and to let the criminals know that the City of North Charleston is organized and fighting back.

National Night Out is designed to (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit, police and community relations; and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods around the world are organized and fighting back.

Nationally, over 33 million people will participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’ this year.

Neighborhood Events/Schedule
Pepperhill - At 6 p.m., residents will gather for an evening of fun, entertainment, networking and crime prevention awareness at the Pepperhill Community Center on Brandywine Road.   Target, New York Life, Highway Patrol, Consolidated Dispatch, and the Christmas and Howell Law Firm will participate in this event.

Ferndale - Community cook-out from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Community Center on Bolton and Piedmont.

Charleston Farms - Community cook-out from 6 to 8 p.m. at the community center (1633 Sumner Ave).

Indigo on the Ashley - Community cook-out from 6 to 8 p.m. at the entrance to the neighborhood.

Forest Hills - Community Walk and cookout beginning at 6 p.m..  The walk is to begin at Foxwood and Desmond, and the cookout is to take place at the Evans Community Center.

Woodlands - (Wescott) Community cookout starting at 6 p.m. at the playground.

Terrace/Waylan - Community cookout starting at 6 p.m. at the Community Center.

Coosaw Commons - Community cookout starting at 5:30 p.m. at the club house.

Oak Terrace Preserve - Community cookout starting at 6 pm.

Oak Terrace Preserve residents launch North Charleston's community video series

The City of North Charleston has released two video shorts, which depict residents of the City's Oak Terrace Preserve neighborhood discussing quality of life issues in their community. The videos, entitled "Community", and "Schools" were recorded in August, following a voluntary, unscripted format. The videos, on the City's YouTube Channel, are the first in a series of videos chronicling the progress of revitalization in the neighborhood.

"The videos illustrate a major impact of the City's efforts at attracting young homebuyers to Park Circle," says North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. "The influx of young families moving to the Park Circle area, and North Charleston, has been impressive. It's a sign that our revitalization strategy is working, even in relatively lean economic times. The number of young, white collar professionals coming to Oak Terrace, and the greater Park Circle area, has been fueled by major employers, as well as up-and-coming entrepreneurs".

Oak Terrace Preserve is a City-owned green residential project, which is privately developed by a team of builders and architects. Homes at the neighborhood are market rate, and combine the latest innovations in sustainable living with neo-traditional neighborhood design.

Community
Oak Terrace Preserve residents comment on their community's recognition as one of the nation's 'coolest, trendiest' neighborhoods, with its unique combination of green living, quality of life, and central location.



Schools
Parents and future parents see family-friendly Oak Terrace Preserve as uniquely positioned for their children's education, as the nationally-ranked Academic Magnet High School and the upcoming arts-infused elementary are within walking distance of the neighborhood.

This Old House names North Charleston’s Park Circle a Best Old-House Neighborhood

Park Circle in North Charleston, SC has been named amongst the 2012 Best Old-House Neighborhoods. The editors of This Old House have tracked down neighborhoods that have promising futures, strong communities, and homes that truly deserve a long-term commitment.

This Old House notes Park Circle to be a location of “hundreds of lovingly crafted—albeit more modest and affordable—old houses surrounding a 30-plus-acre park filled with baseball fields, playgrounds, and a weekly farmer's market.”

Reasons to buy in Park Circle, according to This Old House, are many, “with its affordable houses and plenty of restaurants and shops on Montague Avenue, its main commercial thoroughfare, Park Circle is popular among first-time homebuyers. A new elementary school and a performing arts school draw families with children. Since more of the former naval base's buildings are being converted to office space, this is a great place for anyone with a good business plan, too.”

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey stated, “After the closure of the Navy Base, a sustainable, community-driven vision was set forth for Park Circle and its surrounding communities. We hoped for a renaissance, and we got just that. Today, Park Circle is a diverse, progressive, vibrant neighborhood full of young families and professionals that are active in the community, take pride in their homes, and patronize our local, small businesses.” Mayor Summey continued, “We are honored to receive this recognition from This Old House, and consider it validation that Park Circle and the City of North Charleston are truly a great place to live, work, and play.”

This Old House scoured the United States and Canada to find unique, tight-knit neighborhoods for their fifth annual search for the Best Old-House Neighborhoods. These places might not be on your radar, but deserve to be, according to the magazine’s editors.

ThisOldHouse.com features 61 great spots, 51 in the United States and 10 in Canada, that fit the criteria of old-house neighborhoods – architectural diversity, craftsmanship of the homes, and the preservation momentum in the area as well as neighborhood amenities including walkability, safety and community. With the help of PreservationDirectory.com, neighborhood groups, real estate agents, and preservation societies, This Old House compiled their list of the best places to fall in love with one-of-a-kind period houses and bargains in need of a DIY remodel. The winning neighborhoods are also divided into categories such as Best Bargains, Best for Retirees, Best College Towns, and more.

Full coverage from This Old House on Park Circle via ThisOldHouse.com

Within the various categories of winning neighborhoods by This Old House, Park Circle was among: The South, Waterfront, Lots to Do, Family Friendly, First-Time Buyers, Cottages and Bungalows, and Easy Commute.

(Neighborhoods are listed alphabetically by State in all categories) 

About This Old House

This Old House Ventures Inc. is America’s premier home enthusiast brand, netting 50 million multi-media impressions each month through its award-winning television, print, and web properties. The leading consumer publication for home how-to and inspiration, the award-winning This Old House magazine currently has a circulation of 950,000 and reaches an audience of almost six million. This Old House is available on tablets and is published by the Time Inc. Lifestyle Group, a division of Time Inc., the largest magazine media company in the U.S.

North Charleston seeks “Citizen of the Year” nominations

The North Charleston Citizen Advisory Council is seeking nominations for the 2011 “Citizen of the Year.” Each year, North Charleston citizens are nominated to identify, honor, and reinforce the activities of exceptional citizens whose service or performance positively contributes to the quality of life in North Charleston.

All applications are welcome, and should include a detailed explanation for the nomination along with the nominee’s name, address, and phone number. Also, the individual(s) submitting the application should include their name, address, and phone number as well. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by Tuesday, November 1, 2011 for consideration.

Nominations may be submitted below or mailed to:

City of North Charleston
Citizens Advisory Council
c/o Executive Department

P.O. Box 190016

North Charleston, SC 29419-9016

North Charleston Neighborhoods Turn out to Stomp out Crime

On Tuesday, August 3rd citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses and local officials in over 10,000 communities and military bases worldwide will join forces to mark the 27th Annual National Night Out.

Locally, the North Charleston Police Department, in conjunction with national sponsor Target Stores, will sponsor the 27th Annual National Night Out event Tuesday, August 3, 2010 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

At 6:00 pm, Mayor Pro-Tem Bob King, along with Ferndale neighborhood president Charlynne Smith, will join residents to kick off a neighborhood cookout and crime prevention walk. The event will take place at the Ferndale Gym located on Piedmont Avenue.

Similar events will occur simultaneously in neighborhoods throughout the city to include: Forest Hills I, Midland Park/Stall Road Corridor, Charleston Farms | Singing Pines, Oak Preserve, Union Heights, Accabee, Dorchester Waylyn, Wescott, Horizon Village. Citizens are asked to turn on their porch lights as a sign of unity and to let the criminals know that the City of North Charleston is organized and fighting back.

National Night Out is designed to (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit, police and community relations; and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods around the world are
organized and vigilant against crime.

Nationally, over 33 million people will participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’ this year.

Full Schedule of Events by Neighborhood

Accabee
Cookout at the Accabee community center starting at 6:00 pm.

Ashley Shores
Community cookout beginning at 6:00 pm

Charleston Farms and Singing Pines
These two communities will hold a block party/cookout at the Charleston Farms Community Center beginning at 6:00 pm

Dorchester Waylyn
Neighborhood walk beginning at 6:00 pm at the Geanne Batten community center.

Ferndale
Cookout at the Ferndale Gym parking lot on Piedmont Avenue beginning at 6:00 pm. Mayor Pro-tem Bob King to kick off the event.

Forest Hills I
Neighborhood flashlight walk through the community beginning at 7:00 pm at the Lil Cricket at the corner of Foxwood and Dorchester.

Horizon Village
Nieghborhood cookout.

Lakes of Northwoods
Neighborhood flashlight walk starting at 8:00 pm at the neighborhood pool on Brookforest Dr.

Oak Terrace Preserve
This Cookout in the park in front of the school off Lackawanna starting at 6:00 pm.

Pines at Charleston Park
Cookout in their community in a culdesac starting at 6:00 pm. This community is located off Dorchester Rd across from Whitehall.

Stall Rd, Midland Park, Colony North, and Pepperhill
Four neighborhoods will combine for a cookout at the New Covenant Church on Stall Rd beginning at 7:00 pm.

Union Heights
Flashlight walk within the community following their monthly community meeting. The walk is expected to begin around 7:00 pm.

Wescott
Cookout to be held in the parking lot of Lowes beginning at 6:00 pm.

Public Celebration for Oak Terrace Preserve Honors, May 22

North Charleston’s Oak Terrace Preserve neighborhood will be holding a block party for the general public from 11 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, May 22, at OTP’s 100 Dolphin Street. Called the "Super Terrificy, Double Fantasicy FREE For All Block Party."

http://www.otpblockparty.com/

The event will celebrate the community and The Sustainability Institute winning the first-ever Home Depot Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development in December 2009, and other honors such as the Charleston City Paper Reader’s Choice naming OTP the “Best New Development” in 2009 and 2010. The event features free food, live entertainment, games and kid activities, with tours of OTP and a session to meet the builders.

“We believe that the Award of Excellence and other recent honors are truly for the community,” says Elias Deeb, OTP project manager and president of Cedrus, LLC. “The award was initially presented in Washington, DC, with a news conference at City Hall in North Charleston, so this block party was a way for the entire public to celebrate spring and the community’s growing national profile.”



Deeb added that the public is invited to find out what makes Oak Terrace Preserve special, with its sense of community and sustainable building practices. OTP represents a fusion of traditional home design with the latest innovations in healthy, sustainable living. The neighborhood is receiving national acclaim for features like pervious sidewalks and a stormwater management system. The development has preserved more than 400 existing trees, including many century-old grand oaks.

Currently, the first phase of The Towns at Oak Terrace is underway by Carriage Hill Associates. Crescent Homes, Verdi Homes and the Pulte Group represent the remaining three builders at OTP. Oak Terrace Preserve is a City of North Charleston owned project, which is managed by Cedrus, LLC.

Upon build out, the 55-acre OTP will feature 374 homes and townhomes. With its EarthCraft® Certified homes, public spaces, preserved trees, recycled building material and innovative storm water management system, Oak Terrace Preserve has been recognized as a national leader in green, sustainable residential development. The neighborhood has been featured in GreenBuilder Magazine as one of the nation’s top residential developments. Other recognition has included listings of the Park Circle neighborhood in Men’s Journal and Cottage Living.

For more party information, please go to www.otpblockparty.com. For information on OTP, visit www.oakterracepreservesc.com.

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North Charleston Neighborhoods Turn out to Stomp out Crime

Citizens across North Charleston will hit the streets to take back their communities. On Tuesday, August 4th from 6:00-9:00 pm, citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, and local officials in over 10,000 communities and military bases worldwide will join forces to mark the 26th Annual National Night Out.

At 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 4th, Mayor Keith Summey, along with Police Chief Jon Zumalt and Housing Authority Executive Director George Saldana, will join residents of the Horizon Village community to kick off a neighborhood cookout and crime prevention walk.

Similar events will occur simultaneously in neighborhoods throughout the city to include: Forest Hills I, Wando Woods, Midland Park/Stall Road Corridor, Charleston Farms, Olde North Charleston, Cameron Terrace, Oak Preserve, Union Heights and Accabee. Citizens are asked to turn on their porch lights as a sign of unity and to let the criminals know that the City of North Charleston is organized and fighting back.

National Night Out is designed to (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit, police and community relations; and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods around the world are organized and fighting back.

Nationally, over 33 million people will participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’ this year.

--Schedule of Events--
Horizon Village
Mayor Summey, along with Chief Jon Zumalt and Housing Authority Executive Director George Saldana, will kick off the event at 6:00 pm. Residents will take part in a neighborhood walk and cookout . Back to School activities will also take place. The event will take place at the Activity Center, 3800 Spruill Avenue.

Forest Hills
Residents of Forest Hills I will meet at 6:30 pm at Foxwood Drive and Dorchester Road (beside the Lil Cricket) then walk through the neighborhood with banners and hand held signs accompanied by police and fire vehicles and others.

Cameron Terrace, Oak Preserve, Charleston Farms, and Oakdale
Residents will host a cookout in front of the School of the Arts beginning at 6:00 pm. Seacoast Church will be providing assistance.

Wando Woods
Residents will participate in a community flashlight walk beginning at 6:30 pm.

Midland Park/Stall Road Corridor
These two communities will come together beginning at 7:00 pm at New Covenant Church on Stall Road. A cookout is scheduled to be followed by a community meeting.

Accabee
Residents will host a picnic at the community center starting at 6:00 pm.

Union Heights
At 6:00 pm residents will host a walk through the community followed by meeting at the Gethsemane community center.

The Lakes at Northwoods
Residents will meet at the pool area on Brookforest at Lake Marion Drive at 8:00 pm for a flashlight walk through the community.

Olde North Charleston
Residents of Olde North Charleston Neighborhood Council will meet at 4722 O’Hear Avenue to celebrate National Night Out! Refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm followed by a walk down O’Hear to Oakwood, Glenshaw, Bexley and Buist Avenues.