You've found www.onlinesouthbridge.com the unofficial web site for Southbridge residents, we hope that you'll find the information contained herein useful and beneficial, the goal is to enhance your spirit of community by keeping you informed and entertained. This web site will endeavor to provide you with all the information you need about this community, how it is run, who runs it and what is being done with your home owner association monies. This website is not controlled by the SBHOA nor do they have any input regarding its contents.

The web site will always be in a constant state of change, we're going to do our best to keep it updated and fresh to ensure that your visits here worthwhile. Now would be a great time to add us to your favorites list for quick and easy access!

You won't find a lot of bells and whistles on the site, we've decided to keep it simple, straightforward and easy to navigate; the buttons to the left are plain and hopefully the text clearly dictates what the subject is on each page. We're making every attempt to keep the type sizes large and the fonts very simple, our eyes aren't what they used to be and perhaps yours may fall into the same category.

Enjoy the web site and please feel free to offer suggestions as to how it can be improved. We're working to populate all of the pages, some may not be completely functional yet, bear with us as we build the site while keeping it as user friendly as possible.

Webmaster - Online Southbridge

This would be an excellent time to review your home preparations, off site lodging and learning how to secure your home. The OnlineSouthbridge Disaster Plan page linked to the button on the left side of this page contains all the information that you might need in the event that actual preparations are required. You might want to make sure that your home is equipped with the usual products ( batteries, plywood, duct tape, water, foods that don't need cooking, etc. ) on hand and ready for use. You may also want to think about how you would secure outside items like lawn furniture, umbrellas, etc. If a hurricane were to miss us and still come close (Hugo), your furniture could end up flying through your neighbor's windows, let's watch out for each other and protect property through preventative measures when possible.

OnlineSouthbridge corresponded with the City of Savannah Water Department's Harry Jue on August 13th and asked if the April announced water restrictions were still active. This was his reply,

"Although we have been besieged with our afternoon storms in this area, the water restrictions are still on. This is a State requirement and not implemented by the City of Savannah."

So there you have it, directly from the faucet so to speak. Please observe the water restrictions and save a few bucks too, gosh knows we're getting enough rain to keep the grass green.

Just a reminder.

Due to drought conditions across the state, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has issued a level two drought declaration for the entire state effective immediately. The declaration requires that Georgians immediately follow a more stringent outdoor water use schedule. The City of Savannah is asking all citizens to follow the schedule:

Odd-numbered addresses water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays-Midnight to 10 a.m.
Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses water only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays-Midnight to 10 a.m.

The City of Savannah will adhere to the state requirement by resetting city sprinklers to water City parks and squares Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of midnight and 10 am.
For more information please contact the City’s Public Information Office at 651-6410.

The new park under construction on Southbridge Blvd is almost complete while finishing details are underway. But please know that the area is CLOSED to everyone, it is not to be used until it has been approved for general use by both your SBHOA and the Developer. Aside from the fact that new sod must have a few weeks of unmolested use to send roots into the ground we also have safety concerns. New Sprinkler heads are not finished, some stick up and other places have holes in the ground, there are no lights, no backstop, no trash cans, etc. Our Security Officers have been instructed to remove anybody on the property, please respect the rules while the SHBOA works to improve the community by adding another amenity.

Goodwill Industries

Will Soon Be

Making Housecalls

in Southbridge

Your SBHOA approved a proposal by our local Goodwill Industries to make monthly sweeps of Southbridge to gather your donations. They will be sending every address a detailed letter and a small yard sign placard that should be displayed on your area's designated day for a pick up, if you need a receipt they can leave one for you at that time as well. They are seeking "items that you would give a relative in need", that means gently used clothing (because we're all losing weight and they just don't fit any longer, heaven knows it not because they are too tight) small appliances (even those that may need repair) decorative items that can be resold in their store front to raise money for job training or your used furniture.

Let's not use them for junk removal, that's not in the spirit of what we are doing and you can't really feel good about that now can you? Watch out for your letter and sign, they will be coming soon.

OK, we're waiting...in this lifetime would be nice ...still waiting!

The sad thing is just as soon as we plan a major event that would have drawn every resident in Southbridge, we'd get rained out! So I'm announcing that Elvis will come out of hiding and perform with Buddy Holly and all four Beatles in June on the Golf Course, admission is free!

That should do it!

Seriously, the forecast for rain is looking mighty bleak and we are under water use restrictions by the City of Savannah and the State of Georgia and although we aren't in Savannah, that's where our water comes from. Please abide by the guidelines and help conserve what water we do have and use it wisely.

If you are reported and caught, you can be fined and if you repeat the offense they can cut your water off!

Here are the rules:

Statewide Water Restrictions

Due to drought conditions across the state, the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has issued a level two drought declaration for the entire state effective immediately. The declaration requires that Georgians immediately follow a more stringent outdoor water use schedule. The City of Savannah is asking all citizens to follow the schedule:

Odd-numbered addresses water only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays-Midnight to 10 a.m.
Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses water only on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays-Midnight to 10 a.m.

The City of Savannah will adhere to the state requirement by resetting city sprinklers to water City parks and squares Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of midnight and 10 am.
For more information please contact the City’s Public Information Office at 651-6410.

Food News is Good News

McDonald's is coming to the neighborhood. that's the FOOD news.

The GOOD news is that it will be located next to the Kroger Gas Station at the Berwick entrance. How's that good for Southbridge?

1) For those who like the burgers and fries, it will be only 2 miles away for you to "get your Big Mac on!"

2) It also means that the developer of the Food Lion Center won't have McDonald's as an option for the out parcel property on Dean Forest Road when the center is built. Most fast food chains control the number of stores based on the area's population base and the highway's traffic count. Ogeechee Road will always have higher traffic numbers than Dean Forest Road and even with Berwick, etc. completely built out, the household count is within the service capacity of only one McDonalds.

Have you noticed the Carolina blue and white trucks in the community? That's Manker Landscaping, our newly contracted landscaping company. Chosen by the SBHOA Area Representatives after a long process of evaluation and interviews, Manker wowed the group with their "Can-do" and more importantly "Will-do" attitude. You have to admire a company that tells it like it is and when they said we were looking sad while others said that we looked good, well it was that honesty and candor that made the decision easy. Alex Manker is the boss at Manker Landscaping, but don't be fooled by his soft spoken easy going manner, he's a man possessed to bring Southbridge's appearance back to where it should be and he wants it done as soon as possible. Manker has a long award winning history providing landscaping design, installation, irrigation and maintenance services in the Savannah area. So the next time that you pass by one of these green thumbed men in Carolina blue, give them a wave or a thumbs up to let them know how much we appreciate their hard work making Southbridge look good.

Walk on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic, that's the law and it's also the only way that you'll be able to see a distracted driver before it's too late and dive for the grass or into woods!  Face it - some people are not paying attention while behind the wheel! Please don't get hurt or killed while working so hard to get healthy, sorta ruins the whole concept.

Any Questions?

The total cost for a speeding ticket within Southbridge is $170.00

Not counting your rising

auto insurance premiums.

Let's just not speed!

Interested in Showbiz?

Savannah based talent agency, Talent Source is seeking males and females between the ages of 45 and 65 for occasional work in television, film and print advertising.  Agency Director states, "We cast lots of locals for regional and national commercials and the feature films shot here, many want everyday people. Many magazines and popular catalogs shoot here, recognize names like; Boston Proper, Land's End, Ann Taylor, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Abercrombie & Fitch, Maggie Moore Children's Clothing, they're all clients that shoot in Savannah. Lately we've had a run on resort and community marketing projects who always seek out baby boomers who look like they lead the good life." All types needed. No cost to register, learn more at www.talentsource.com

Southbridge Beautification Projects Begin

You may have seen tree crews removing dead limbs and debris throughout our community over the last month and hopefully you noticed that the front and rear entrances have been stripped of the old flowers and the plants beds prepared to accept new plantings.  They are now in the ground and helping to put everyone into the spirit of spring, we like the look and want to add to the ambience of Southbridge, which helps to build our property values.

We're excited to begin projects that will restore the beauty of Southbridge to what it was ten years ago. There are plans to be implemented over the next year to revitalize the beauty of the community, look for projects like:  planting beds along Southbridge Blvd, renewed landscaping for traffic islands, lagoon beautification work and so much more!  It's going to look like it was designed to look and we can't wait to make it happen!

Savannah, GA Population: 130,514*
Population, age 50+: 37,100
Population growth, age 50+: 4.83%

*City Limits, does not include Chatham County households

State income tax rate (highest bracket)	6.00%*
State income tax rate (lowest bracket)	1.00%*
Retirement tax break from state?	No
State property taxes	Average
Sales tax	6.00%
Chatham County Local Option Sales Tax	1.00%
State gas tax (cents per gallon)	7.5
Median home price	$137,500
Home price gain (2004-2005)	19.60%
Median household income (per year)	$31,818
Auto insurance premiums (Average for the state)	$2,137
Air quality index (% of days AQI ranked as good)	62.7%
Personal crime risk (100 is nat'l average; lower is better)	196
Property crime risk (100 is nat'l average; lower is better)	177
Personal crime incidents (per 100,000)	852
Property crime incidents (per 100,000)	7,157
Movie theaters (within 15 miles)	7
Restaurants (within 15 miles)	823
Bars (within 15 miles)	56
Public golf courses (within 30 miles)	56
Libraries (within 15 miles)	21
Museums (accredited by AAM within 30 miles)	1
Colleges, universities and professional schools	4
Ski resorts (within 100 miles)	0
Annual precipitation (inches)	49.58
Clear days	104
High temp in July ° F	92.3°
Low temp in Jan ° F	38.0°
Health***
Hospitals (within 30 miles)	25
Doctors' offices	236
Body mass index (avg. for residents)	26
Cancer mortality (per 100,000, age-adjusted)	177.7
Cardiac mortality (per 100,000)	299.4
Median age	32.0
Completed at least some college (% of residents)	53.8%
Married	36.1%
Divorced	12.1%

*Income tax notes: The tax brackets reported are for single individuals. For married households filing separately, the same rates apply to income brackets ranging from $500 to $5,000; and the income brackets range from $1,000 to $10,000 for joint filers. ***County data