Thursday, April 15, 2010 • HERITAGE NEWSPAPERS/WESTERN REGION
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Local doctor pens book on county bike routes By Steven Howard Heritage Newspapers
Long before he wrote the book on bike routes in Washtenaw County, Joel Howell was an authority on the subject. While developing his career within both the medical school and history department at the University of Michigan, Howell said he spent much of his free time road biking in the area. Now 56, Howell said friends and colleagues have often solicited advice from him over the past 25 years on the best places to ride, knowing he had accumulated a wealth of knowledge on the subject. It was in these solicitations, Howell said, that he got the idea to write “Washtenaw
County Bike Rides.” “People would get sent to me and ask me where to ride,” he said, prompting him to question: “Why not just turn it into a book?” After getting approval from the University of Michigan Press, Howell said he began composing the book. Though Howell said the writing of the book was “something I did in my spare time,” he said the text came together rather quickly because all of the research was already in his head. “The core of the book, I already knew,” he said. Containing 10 primary routes, as well as alternative side trips, the rides in the book cover a wide area.
“People would get sent to me and ask me where to ride.”
Long before he wrote the book on bike routes in Washtenaw County, Joel Howell was an authority on the subject. Many parts of Ann Arbor are covered, with trips north along Dixboro Road and west via Huron River Drive. Longer rides extend out to Chelsea and Manchester, even reaching East Lansing on one particular jaunt. Those willing can even follow maps straight to Hell. Hell, Mich., of course.
The route maps connect one-to-another, so as to provide clear paths to cover large geographic areas. Though riding a bike on any public roadway can be risky, Howell said the routes he has put in the book can be ridden safely with a little bit of personal caution and awareness.
“They’re all my favorite rides,” he said. “Every one of them I’ve ridden dozens and dozens of times.” The book includes fact boxes containing tips on how to avoid some of the most common road hazards, such as discourteous drivers and rogue animals. “I’ve never been hit by a car,” Howell said. “Flat tires – – sure I’ve had them. You want to be able to deal with a flat.” Howell said it’s most important to realize that, as a cyclist, even though you may have the right of way, cars do not always do what you expect them to do. “Bikes are soft, cars are hard,” he said. Howell said he wrote the book to inspire a new generation of riders because he felt he should return the favor to those who inspired him. “In part, it’s trying to pay back all the people who taught me how to ride,” he said.
Beware of the dangers of a personal loan As lending requirements stay relatively tight for most consumers, the chance to borrow outside the banking system from family or friends can be attractive. After all, it’s rare to see a parent or sibling demand a credit check or other lengthy documentation. On the other hand, it could be one of the most dangerous financial transactions you ever make simply because money can drive a wedge between relatives in even the closest of families. There are benefits and drawbacks to private loans. Here’s the good news first: • Terms can be significantly friendlier than a borrower would qualify for in the open market. For example, the rate charged on the loan can be higher than the lender would receive in a deposit account but lower than the borrower would pay a commercial lender. • They can require little or no collateral. • It’s a way to keep money in the family. • It’s a way for a borrower to be able to buy a home, a car or other critical assets even if they have a poor credit rating.
BIZ MATTERS
• There’s no loss of tax benefits to the borrower or lender if an agreement in the case of a mortgage loan is structured and reported properly. Now the bad news: • Unclear agreements can lead to missed payments or default. • If the borrower dies suddenly, the lender’s investment may be lost if the agreement isn’t structured correctly. A properly executed promissory note is still an obligation of the estate, and may continue to be paid to an heir or other person or entity based on the terms as agreed. • Jealous relatives could say they weren’t treated fairly. • Disagreements between borrower and lender could kill an important relationship. The best arrangements are formal –– written in proper legal language, notarized and recorded in the county where the property resides. A financial adviser such as a financial planning professional can talk to both parties about what such loans, particularly large loans for real estate or tuition, can mean for their respective finances. It also makes sense for both parties to visit their respective tax professionals to make sure they know the correct ways to document the loan trans-
action over time for tax purposes. A detailed document prepared with the help of an attorney or a certified public accountant can also lay out specific scenarios if either the borrower or the lender has to break or alter their agreement. Such trained experts can talk you through the benefits and pitfalls of a private loan arrangement as it affects your particular situation, either as lender or borrower, and specific laws and requirements in your state you have to follow if both borrower and lender are going to derive tax advantages from the agreement. You should be aware that the IRS governs these interest rates and provides an annually updated table that you can find at www.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/federalRates.html. These rates are Applicable Federal Tax Rates (AFR). You can also forgive a portion of the loan each year up the annual gift exclusion, which is $13,000 this year. Generally, any private loan transaction should include a promissory note that establishes how the debt will be repaid. That’s true for business loans or loans for most types of property. In the case of a business loan, it makes sense for the potential borrower to get specific advice on how lenders in their business will be treated
not only in terms of repayment, but default. These agreements are particularly important for tax purposes as well. In the case of a loan made for real estate, a mortgage or “deed of trust” statement, depending on the state you live in, or an agreement specific to the type of loan that binds the property as collateral for the promissory note will be necessary. It basically says that if you don’t fulfill all the terms in the agreement, the lender has the right to foreclose or repossess the property. Even if a friend or relative makes an offer of help, it’s proper for the borrower to take the initiative to structure the arrangement in a way that’s responsible and beneficial to both. If a relative is drawing income from the loan, special provisions should be made for prepayment and other contingencies. The most important thing to remember and plan for: When two people who are close to each other enter into such an arrangement, the most valuable thing really isn’t the money — it’s the relationship. This column is provided by Yeo & Yeo, CPAs & Business Consultants. For more information, contact Alan Lapczynski, CPA, at Yeo & Yeo’s Ann Arbor office, 769-1331.
Briarwood Mall receives recycling award Recycle Ann Arbor, a recycling and waste program, recently announced that Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group has been awarded the Business Recycling Leadership Award for its Briarwood Mall location. The award recognizes outstanding recycling and sustainability efforts on the part of Ann Arbor businesses. To earn the award, businesses must: •Be located in the city of Ann Arbor. •Be a Recycle Ann Arbor customer. •Recycle a high percentage of waste, as verified by a waste and recycling audit. •Have a designated staff person or green team that coordinates recycling. •Recycle special items, such as printer cartridges or fluorescent light bulbs. •Offer recycling education to employees. •Be involved in at least three sustainable practices, such as green purchasing,
zero waste efforts or energy efficiency programs. Simon Property Group manages more than 320 shopping centers in the United States and has owned Briarwood Mall since 2007. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency named Simon Property Group a 2008 Energy Star Partner of the Year for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions at its malls across the country. From April 2008 through January 2010, Briarwood Mall recycled 3,582,300 pounds of paper and 127,950 pounds of containers. The mall had been recycling cardboard since 2003 and containers since 2007, but was able to increase recycling volumes through partnering with its 101 tenants and using the City of Ann Arbor’s free recycling program. Briarwood Mall General Manager Ida Hendrix and Operations Director Mike Ewald are the driving force
behind the mall’s recycling program. “We go above and beyond traditional programs by recycling materials such as fluorescent light bulbs, ink cartridges, and batteries,” said Hendrix in a news release. “We keep our tenants updated about recycling efforts through quarterly merchant meetings.” Other environmentallyfriendly efforts include upgrading the mall’s lighting from T-12 fluorescent bulbs to energy-saving T-8 bulbs, a project which Ewald is working to complete with light
manufacturer Sylvania. In November of 2008, the mall conducted a “Shop Smarter Campaign” to distribute 500 reusable shopping bags to customers. Each bag contained a Sylvania compact fluorescent light bulb as well as a list of resource conservation tips and practices. It’s all part of the Simon Property Group’s internal initiative to do business efficiently, said Hendrix. “As part of this goal, we are continually looking for ways to save resources and money, while helping the environment.”
Recycle Ann Arbor started Michigan’s first curbside recycling program in 1978 and currently operates the state’s largest community drop-off center, The ReUse Center. Recycle Ann Arbor also operates the Environmental House green building resource center, the Ann Arbor curbside recycling program, Calvert’s Roll-Off Containers and Energy Works of Michigan. For more information about Recycle Ann Arbor, call 662-6288 or visit Recycle Ann Arbor on the Web at www. recycleannarbor.org.
However, being a physician, Howell said he also hopes the book will help people to generally live a more active lifestyle through cycling. “The biggest thing I would say is exercise is the key to almost everything,” he said. “It’s good not just for your physical health, but your mental health, as well.” Howell said all profits from his book will go toward the Ann Arbor Bicycle Touring Society safety fund. The book costs $12.95 and is available in area bookstores. Steven Howard can be reached at 429-7380 or showard@heritage.com.