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Did you know that the federal government has made home ownership more enticing for first-time buyers?

For the remainder of this year and the first half of 2009, the government will give a tax credit of up to $7,500 to eligible couples. The tax credit is worth 10% of the purchase price of the home. The tax credit amounts to an interest-free 15-year loan for first-time homebuyers.

In the words of Kieren Quinn, Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association: “This is the most important piece of housing-related legislation that we have seen in more than a generation.” The new legislation has helped put many young couples in Allen Edwin Homes.

Because the tax credit is for people who purchase their primary residence, individuals may qualify for the tax credit even if they own a vacation home or rental property as long as those properties were not their primary residence for at least three years preceding the purchase of their new home.

The credit is phased out for individuals with modified adjusted gross income between $75,000 and $95,000. For married couples filing a joint return, the phase out range is $150,000 to $170,000.

The credit is fully refundable, meaning taxpayers will be able to obtain an additional federal tax refund of up to $7,500 even if they have no other tax liabilities. Taxpayers will be able to claim the credit on their 2008 tax return for homes purchased in 2008. For homes purchased in 2009, the IRS will allow the purchasers to file an amended 2008 return to claim the credit.

Then the credit will be repaid as an additional tax on tax returns for the next 15 years. For the maximum $7,500 credit, this works out to annual repayments of $500 per year.

Meet The Young Professionals

Working in education and fund development, Brooke Nobis Buys wasn't bumping into that many young professionals in her daily work. So, like a number of other people not too long out of college, she checked out Kalamazoo Area Young Professionals.

Attending art exhibits, programs and social events, Buys has bought into the "live, learn and grow together" motto of the informal group, organized through the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"I work with a lot of people whose networks are established and careers are fixed. It's good to interact with young people who are facing the same issues you are," says Buys.

Among the people she's met is Callie Gaines, a young professional herself who provides some Chamber of Commerce staff support for the volunteer board which sets the direction of the group.

Gaines says the group has a lot of fun, and their monthly events have included presentations from CEOs and college professors, wine tastings, tailgating at WMU football games, and attending new art exhibits. Sometimes, she says, members just get together at a restaurant for lunch, or for an after-work drink. While there are a lot of things to do, in the end it’s really just about getting people together. “We try to emphasize the networking aspect of it,” Gaines said.

“Definitely bring your business cards.”

Despite ‘young’ being in the group’s name, there are no age restrictions when it comes to joining. The majority of the group tends to be in their twenties, thirties, and young forties, and often in the early stages of their careers or looking to start them. Thus the desire for networking. Anyone, however, that is just looking to get out in the community and meet an energetic group of local people is welcome. “We do require that people be at least 21 because there is alcohol served at some events,” Gaines says.

Getting involved is easy, painless, and free. Interested people may sign up for the e-newsletter by contacting Gaines at the Chamber.

There are no dues or initiation fees, although members are expected to cover their own food, drink, and admission at events. The group meets about once or twice a month and the event planners love to get input from the group as to what type of events people are interested in.

More information is available at The Chamber's Web site.

Fit and Fun

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts presents the season premiere of its Sunday Funday series, a free program designed for families and children. “Active Art” will take place Sunday, September 28, from 2-4 p.m. at the KIA.

Families will enjoy creating their own work of art, taking part in a scavenger hunt, and getting physically fit.

YMCA Instructor Laura Sprague will offer a fun program of Pilates and aerobics for children in the KIA auditorium at 2:30 and 3:15 p.m.

Sunday Funday at the KIA is sponsored by Target and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. It is free of charge and open to the public.

Concerto anyone?

Rachmaninoff, Dvořák, Mendelssohn, and more! Join us to explore the world of the concerto with four special guest presenters: Pianist Rich Ridenour, KSO Assistant Conductor Barry Ross, KSO Principal Cellist David Peshlakai and PPS Music Teacher Marcia Working. From the basics (what is a concerto, anyway?) to the insider perspective on playing and conducting concertos, each session will provide unique insights on this fascinating musical genre. The final session will even give you an opportunity to experience the concerto form first-hand, through a fun, guided, Orff-style workshop. No musical experience is required! Works explored in the class will be performed by the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra throughout the 2008-9 season.
Schedule:
4 Tuesdays, 9/30-10/21
7:00-8:30 PM

Cost: $58
Two KSO ticket vouchers are included.

To Register: Contact Portage Community Education at 323-6700 or www.PPSCommEd.org

How Do I Join?

Looking to get involved in Kalamazoo’s recreational sports leagues? Here is all the information you’ll need:


Youth Hockey: Winter
Kalamazoo Optimist Hockey Association
(269) 349-7825
www.koha.com


Adult Hockey: Winter
Wings Stadium
(269) 349-7825
www.wingsstadium.com


Youth and Adult Indoor Soccer: Fall/Winter/Spring
Soccer Zone
(269) 329-0171
www.soccer-zone.com


Youth Soccer: Spring/Summer/Fall
American Youth Soccer Organization
Sue Copeland – Registration – (269) 344-9563
www.ayso211.com

AYSO is always looking for referees for their youth soccer games. Keep active while helping our area youth stay active. Volunteers must be 11 or older. No experience is required. Training and uniforms are provided. Eat free at the concession stand. It’s o.k. to coach your own child’s game.
Contact Bill @ (269) 744-5556


Adult Soccer: Spring/Fall/Winter
Kalamazoo Men’s Open Soccer League
www.kmosl.com
info@kmosl.com


Little League: Spring/Summer/Fall
Bud Vanderberg – Administrator for Southwest Michigan
(269) 345-3123


Adult Softball: Spring/Summer/Fall
Kalamazoo City Parks and Recreation
(269) 337-8191
www.kalamazoocity.org - Click Departments, then Parks and Recreation, then Adult Sports Leagues
Enrollment for Spring starts in December

Portage Parks and Recreation
www.portagemi.gov
Barry Bacon – (269) 329-4522
Enrollment for Spring starts in December


Bicycling: Spring/Summer/Fall
Mike Boersman – President – (269) 720-1409
www.kalamazoobicycleclub.org
Next meeting is: Tuesday, October 14th, 7:00, 1001 W. Maple St.

Scott and Ted's Excellent Adventure

Like a lot of people who work in restaurants, Ted Vadella and Scott Makohn would shoot pool after their shifts and talk of some day having a restaurant of their own. But, unlike most, they made “some day” happen. They launched Shakespeare’s Pub.
Ted and Scott believed that a customer-focused, hands-on approach would be successful, and they’ve stayed true to that belief. Their dedication paid off when they recently celebrated five years at the Kalamazoo Avenue hangout.
Ted and Scott are young guys who recognized the basic fundamentals of running a successful restaurant and made those fundamentals part of their business. “We want to create a comfortable atmosphere, where people can hang out and not feel rushed,” Ted brought up when describing the tenor of the restaurant. He also attributes a strong owner presence as the key to keeping the restaurant running smoothly. “If you want it to work, you have to be a part of it,” he noted.
Their personal touch, they feel, helps distinguish Shakespeare’s from many competitors. “We need to talk with the customers and feel the pulse of the business,” says Ted. The owners have thrown in free wireless, which draws fantasy footballers on Sundays who can enjoy any of their 31 draft beers in front of the big screens, while keeping tabs on their teams on their laptops all day.
While the atmosphere is fun and inviting, Ted and Scott put a lot of their personal attention to the menu, which ranges from vegetarian sandwiches and salads to nachos and a popular deep-dish pizza.
And why open your own restaurant if you can’t have fun with it? Case in point: St. Patrick’s Day. A few years ago, they decided to open up the doors a little early, serve a little breakfast, and fire up a band. When they opened the doors, there were almost a hundred people waiting to get in. On the most recent St. Patrick’s Day, the line was around the building. It has become THE place to be on the Irish holiday, and the mere mention of it to Ted will get him enthusiastically hyping it up.
Looking back over the first five yeas, Ted and Scott feel good about what they’ve accomplished, and they’re sticking with their hands-on approach as they look to the future.

Celebrate the Harvest!

Celebrate a summer of delicious growth and local "green" initiatives at the 6th Annual Southwest Michigan Harvest Fest. On Sunday, September 21, enjoy a full day of music, dance, exhibits by growers and vendors, local food, a family tent for youth activities and fun opportunities for the entire family. Special presenters include urban farming pioneer Will Allen and local food celebrity Donna McClurkan.

The fest runs from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM and is hosted by Tillers International in Scotts. Admission is $10 per carload or $1 per person for bus-loads of ten or more. Admission for bicyclists is free. To learn more about the demonstrations, exhibitors and entertainers at this event, visit the Southwest Michigan Harvest Fest online.

Featured Leader: Diether Haenicke

This editor has long said that when it comes to the art of persuasion and the use of the English language, there’s Diether Haenicke and then there’s the rest of us.

Revered by many as the long-serving President of Western Michigan University, Dr. Haenicke may well be better remembered as a writer and a public speaker. Blessed with great intellect, honed through a lifetime of rigorous academic exercise, the German-born scholar reminds us what role communication plays in leadership.

With a mind uncluttered by the cravings of social acquiescence, yet balanced by an understanding of human nature, Diether -- as he is known to so many -- is a master at providing valuable insights on the relevant issues of the day. That Haenicke brings historical perspective to his writings adds a level of persuasiveness that so many can appreciate and so few can match.

What makes Dr. Haenicke’s writing all the more enjoyable is his distinctive approach to syntax -- how he arranges words. Active voice. Passive voice. Doesn’t matter. He structures his sentences in ways that hold your attention, especially when he’s speaking.

He is able to write persuasively and comfortably in first, second or third person, combining a sense of formality with incomplete sentences, framed deliberately to drive home a point or just create a smooth transition in his exquisite writing. The word “remember” might suddenly appear to remind you that you are supposed to be following along with his logic.

Dr. Haenicke has his own web site, where you can learn more about his background, and read some of his writing.

I'll Have the Usual...

I distinctly remember a conversation I had with two peers last summer. We were having dinner in a secluded booth at a restaurant chain. The familiar green lamp hung low between our faces, lighting the familiar menu. Like seemingly every other restaurant in town, old trumpets and sports photos adorned the walls. We were young and single, and after ordering the usual hamburger, we never felt so stuck in Kalamazoo.

Perhaps you’re more apt to complain when you’re hungry, but I think our hunger was for something deeper. We huddled in our booth and dreamed up the ideal restaurant for the young, ambitious and inspired. We imagined the perfect downtown location; described the lighting, the furniture, the menu and the entertainment. We thirsted for innovation and excitement in Kalamazoo and were determined to find it: our monthly dinner date became a mission to explore new venues.

Removing the “chain” from Kalamazoo restaurants led to our discovery of some amazing food and cozy atmospheres. We tried variations of Japanese, Italian and Indian dishes. We sat on the deck while the sun set over Cosmo’s and shared a bottle of wine at Martini’s. Between secret family recipes, Spanish tapas and home-brewed beers, I was elated to have discovered the scrumptious hidden gems of Kalamazoo.

While my friends and I have yet to dine in the atmosphere we dreamed up one year ago, we haven’t lost hope. Two new restaurants, The Wine Loft and Charlie Foster’s, have opened in Downtown Kalamazoo—that makes two new opportunities to refine my palate and appreciate this evolving town.

So, you might be wondering what the perfect restaurant would be in the eyes of the single twenty-something: I want jazz floating through the air. Comfortable, yet contemporary style. An innovative menu with fresh, local ingredients. Engaging conversation and laughter. I want a reason to put on my little black dress and the high heels that I never wear—the ones that are just too amazing to part with.

…I think I want more than just a new restaurant in Kalamazoo.