$(document).ready(function() {
    jQuery.validator.addMethod("phoneUS", function(phone_number, element) {
        phone_number = phone_number.replace(/\s+/g, "");
        return this.optional(element) || phone_number.length > 9 &&
		phone_number.match(/^(1-?)?(\([2-9]\d{2}\)|[2-9]\d{2})-?[2-9]\d{2}-?\d{4}$/);
    }, "Please specify a valid phone number");
    $("form").validate();

    $('textarea').keyup(function() {
        var charLength = $(this).val().length;
        $('.msg-counter').html("<b>" + charLength + '</b> of 500 characters used.');
        // Alerts when 250 characters is reached
        if ($(this).val().length > 500)
            $('.msg-counter').html('<b>You may only have up to 500 characters.</b>');
    });
});