The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page B1

SECTION SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2009 What the outbreak of H1N1 taught us An expert looks at the lessons to be learned from the response to swine flu. B7 MetroState Matthew Tully Arts groups feeling CIB's financial pain THEY MAY HAVE TO DO WITHOUT ABOUT IN GRANTS CULTURE CUTS The cash-strapped Capital Improvement Board has suspended grants it has historically made to arts and cultural organizations in Indianapolis. The CIB funded those activities because they draw people Downtown, generating tax revenue that goes back to the city and the CIB. Here's how nearly $2.2 million in its grants were divvied up: $1 MILLION: Arts Council of Indianapolis, which distributed the money to nonprofit arts groups. $1 MILLION-: Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission, which distributed the money to arts and cultural groups requesting grants and to marketing efforts for Indianapolis attractions.

$150,000: Indiana Black Expo, which uses it for regional marketing of its Summer Celebration fundraiser. ThG commission has givGn out about $2 million pGr year, with half coming from thG Lilly Endowment. adopted in a special legislative session next month, the grants could be restored. But for now, the money has stopped flowing, leaving local arts groups floundering in uncertainty. An exhibit of George Rickey sculptures was placed on display this spring with the CIB's help, but there is no money or planning for another CIB-sup-ported exhibit next summer.

Tanya Bell, president and CEO of Indiana Black Expo, said the nonprofit group used its CIB grant of $150,000 each year for regional marketing of See Arts, Page B2 ized the exhibit. "Several hundred people took that tour and learned about the city's history." Financial help from the Capital Improvement Board for such endeavors, however, is now gone, the result of money woes that threaten to topple it into insolvency. Facing a potential deficit of $47 million in 2010, the CIB suspended about $2.2 million in grants this year that would have gone to cultural tourism projects, the Arts Council of Indianapolis and Indiana Black Expo. If a CIB rescue plan is By Brendan O'Shaughnessy brendan.oshaughnessyindystar.com Thanks to a $5,000 grant from the city's sports agency, Indianapolis residents and tourists last year were able to take a walking tour of "safe houses" and other Downtown sites that played a role in the Underground Railroad of the 1800s. "That grant was used to hire researchers, map the tour, develop a script and brochure, and to hire actors to re-enact a historical scene," said Ophelia Wellington, founder and executive director of Freetown Village, the group that organ INDY500 GREEN Lets take these ideas to Market Let's save City Market.

Let's find a way to make sure the wonderful old building doesn't go the way of other beloved Indiana traditions such as thriving county courthouse squares and a strong manufacturing sector. How can we do this? Well, John Cochran, one of Mayor Greg Ballard's top aides, called last week to say the City Market board, of which he is a member, is working to "redefine the market" and make it self-sufficient. That's in response to word that city penny-pinchers are tired of spending a modest amount each year to help operate the 1880s-era building. So far, much of the public attention has surrounded the idea of putting chain restaurants inside the market to bring it into the black. Based on e-mails and phone calls I received last week, many think a Starbucks or something similar wouldn't change the historic atmosphere of the market.

That's a debatable issue. As that debate continues, let's look at what else could be done to save City Market. 1. We'll start with basic management. The market, with a $945,000 annual budget, is overseen by a politically appointed, 13-member board.

That's a lot of people for such a small enterprise, particularly in a city that struggles to fill its many boards and commissions. Consider this: Microsoft, with annual revenue of $60 billion, has a 10-member board. Perhaps a smaller City Market board would be more proactive and less bureaucratic. Also, the board should be dominated by experts in food service, tourism, financial management and Downtown issues. 2.

Start marketing the market. A paltry marketing budget is not generating the buzz needed to boost traffic and remind people that life continues at the east end of Downtown. Fortunately, the market's new day-to-day leaders understand this and are working to boost the market's profile. 3. Here's a suggestion that comes up often in conversations with frustrated City Market customers: Require vendors to accept credit and debit cards.

Much has changed in the 123 years since the market first opened. There's no excuse for a lunch destination not accepting plastic in 2009. 4. The most common complaint about City Market is that its food options are underwhelming. Obviously, that's a complicated, long-term issue it's hard to attract better vendors without more customers, and vice versa.

But the market could do plenty to lure people back in the short term. The Wednesday farmers' market is working well. So how about an occasional weekend art fair, or a regular beer garden on the outdoor patio? Anything to make the market feel like more of a community gathering place. 5. And, finally, here's something you yes, you can do to help the market: Eat there occasionally.

Don't complain about parking (hey, that's city life) and don't say the walk is too long (it's roughly 10 minutes from anywhere Downtown) and don't gripe about the food (some of it is quite good). If you want to see City Market survive and thrive, do it a favor: Head over there for lunch this week. Reach Matthew Tully at (317) 444-6033 or via e-mail at matthew.tullyindystar.com. JOE VITTI The Star 2008 file photo 500'S IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT People: 350,000 (this is an estimate, as the Speedway does not release attendance figures). Cars: 33 race cars burning ethanol; 100,000 passenger cars, most burning gasoline.

Carbon dioxide: 2,000 tons. Trash: 500 tons. Recyclables recovered: 20 tons (mostly aluminum cans; also plastic and cardboard). Balloons: 30,000, made of biodegradable latex. By Will Higgins will.higginsindystar.com he Indianapolis Motor Speedway recycles 20 tons of cans, plastic and cardboard in May, plus all its motor oil, brake fluid and transmission fluid.

Its golf course is certified as environmentally friendly by Audubon International. Its trash gets converted to energy. Still, any time hundreds of thousands of people come together there are repercussions. Each May, the IMS generates a million pounds of trash and tons of carbon dioxide. And don't forget the balloons 30,000 of them.

As concerns over the environment mount, many major sporting events have turned their attention to going green. Here is a look at what the IMS does for the planet and what opportunities remain. MOST VISIBLE IMPACT: 500 TONS OF TRASH The Speedway's most obvious, most visible byproduct is trash bits of chicken bones, half-eaten hot dogs, ketchup-smeared napkins 500 tons of the stuff during the month. It looks nasty, but good comes of it. The rubbish is hauled by Waste Man- See Green, Page BIO borhoods the best possible start.

The preschoolers will get a tour of their school, get a chance to meet the principal and kindergarten teacher, eat lunch in the cafeteria and participate in a reading and music workshop. Here is the orientation schedule. School 56: Tuesday, 10 a.m.-noon. School 54: Tuesday, 11:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. School 58: Wednesday, a.m.

School 51: Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. p.m. School 15: June 1, a.m. SCHOOL DAYS Kindergarten orientation While most students are closing the books on this school year, local preschoolers and their parents are getting a sneak peek at what's ahead. The United Way and Indianapolis Public Schools will host orientations at five elementary schools to give incoming kindergarteners in the Martindale-Brightwood and Near Eastside neigh.