The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page B1

SECTION SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2009 Tackling foreclosures Experts weigh in on how the private sector and government can cooperate on solutions. B7 MetroState State could cancel WFYI's cash Matthew Tully Struggling PBS station fears what will happen if governor's plan passes SAM RICHE The Star HOW IT WORKS: WFYI says $1 from the state can help it bring in up to $8 from private sources. WHAT THE CUTS HAVE MEANT Production on WFYI's "Across Indiana" has ceased. Radio productions of Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concerts have ended. Five staffers have been laid off.

Set for cancellation: the syndicated radio show "Hearts of Space." threatened in many cases, according to Lloyd Wright, president and chief executive of WFYI. But, he said, he didn't know of any other state considering wiping out its support entirely. It takes about $39 million a year to operate all of the state's public broadcasting stations. Public broadcasters are accustomed to scrambling for state money as lawmakers weigh spending priorities. See WFYI, Page Despite that small share, every dollar the station gets from the state can help it bring in up to $8 in additional funding from foundations, corporations and individuals, its officials said.

Daniels' proposed budget, unveiled earlier this month, would cut spending in a number of areas, including $3.5 million from public broadcasting statewide. Weak fundraising already has hurt public broadcasters across the nation, and many have had layoffs. State subsidies are By Will Higgins will.higginsindystar.com The economic downturn has forced Public Broadcasting Service affiliate WFYI to lay off staffers and cut programs. Now, like public stations across Indiana, it may be forced to make further cutbacks under a proposal by Gov. Mitch Daniels to strip it of all of its state funding.

The state's support of WFYI (Channel 20), amounting to $517,000 this year, represents less than 5 percent of the station's annual operating budget. 26TH ANNUAL BOP TO THE TOP CHARLIE NYE The Star HELP FROM DAD: Don Carr, Zionsville, gives his son, Jackson, some assistance near the end of the Bop to the Top race. Jackson, 3, was the youngest person signed up for the 26th annual fundraiser for Riley Hospital for Children, held Saturday at the OneAmerica Tower. Shuttered Starbucks a sad sign There's something uniquely depressing about an abandoned Starbucks, particularly one that sits in a neighborhood where baristas selling $3 coffees were once a promising symbol of urban revitali-zation. One Starbucks that for a few years raised the hopes of residents in the Mapleton-Fall Creek area was dark and quiet Friday morning, as it has been since the coffee chain closed the store a few weeks ago.

Windows were boarded, and a padlock guarded the door; white paint covered recent graffiti. Coffee is no longer sold there, despite the heavy flow of potential customers who drive past on Fall Creek Parkway each day. Two miles away, another Starbucks sits empty at the busy but long-troubled intersection of 38th and Meridian streets. The store's windows are covered. Scattered pieces of trash fill the empty parking lot.

The two stores were among hundreds nationwide that the suddenly slumping Seattle coffee chain targeted for closing last year. But these two are different from many others. While an empty Starbucks in a suburban strip mall is annoying, those in areas that have struggled for years to emerge from rampant crime and a lack of development are sad. "We really were excited to have them there," state Rep. Greg Porter said.

"We thought of (the stores) as something that could help solidify the efforts the community has been making." The Democrat's district edges up against the 38th Street Starbucks and includes the one at Fall Creek Parkway and College Avenue. The latter was part of an urban redevelopment program fronted in part by retired NBA star Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Porter recalled the hope he felt in mid-2005 when he appeared at a news conference with Johnson to draw attention to the store's opening. "It's devastating," he said of the recent closing. But this isn't a Starbucks-bashing column.

The company has admirably opened stores in troubled spots, including the Fall Creek site, which also became home to a pair of high-profile shootings. A company spokeswoman said the closings were bottom-line decisions. Clearly, though, Frap-puccinos and violent crimes are a bad business mix. For now, the former coffee shops will provide us with two more examples of the many empty buildings dotting Marion County. They'll serve as reminders of other problems that have long plagued the areas: crime, flight to the suburbs and an overall negative image.

Let's hope people also will remember the positive side of the story: the inspiring redevelopment of the nearby Fall Creek Place neighborhood, for instance, and the beautifica-tion of 38th Street. "I hope this is a sign of the economy and not the neighborhood," said Carol Brown Lukemeyer, a Mapleton-Fall Creek booster who frequented the Fall Creek store. "I still have a lot of hope for this area." Hope is crucial. But, Lukemeyer and Porter agreed, new tenants for the old Starbucks sites would be even better. Reach Matthew Tully at (317) 444-6033 or via e-mail at matthew.tullyindystar.com Top-flight climbers 1,400 racers try some extreme stair-stepping in annual fundraiser at OneAmerica Tower FAMILY AFFAIR: Myana Strickland, 10, and her mother, Shalom Strickland, Indianapolis, slapped hands after they completed the race Saturday.

SEE MORE: Go to lndyStar.commultimedia for a photo gallery from the Bop to the Top event. By Josh Duke josh.dukeindystar.com Those who participate call it the most grueling few minutes they will ever experience. The 26th annual Bop to the Top once again challenged participants' stamina and determination Saturday as they ascended up the 37 floors inside Downtown's OneAmerica Tower. "I look forward to it every year, but with a sense of apprehension," said Marty Wilkey, the defending men's champion. "I have competed in marathons, triathlons and ironman competitions, but this is the one event that challenges me to such extremes in a short period of time." Wilkey, 43, Indianapolis, was among the first group to go up as participants raced against the clock.

He has won the event in 14 of the 19 years he has participated. Though the Pike Township firefighter maintained one of the top times again this year, finishing the climb in a little more than four minutes, it wasn't good enough. He fell 16 seconds short of defending his title. Dave Shafron, Naperville, 111., had this year's top overall and men's individual time of 3:52. Cindy Harris, Indianapolis, defended her women's title from last year, reaching the top in 4:42.

Organizers aren't sure yet how much this year's event raised for Riley Hospital for Children. About 1,400 racers participated this year, said Don Carr, event organizer. Last year, 1,300 participants helped the event raise $35,000. See Climbers, Page TOP BOP TO THE TOP FINISHERS About 1,400 people participated in Saturday's 26th annual Bop to the Top in the OneAmerica Tower. The top three men's and women's individual finishers: Men's top times: Women's top times: Dave Shafron, Naperville, 3:52.

Cindy Harris, Indianapolis, 4:42. Marty Wilkey, Indianapolis, 4:08. Bridget Carlson, Aurora, 5:19. Scott Colford, Logansport, 4:25. Christy Keely, Holland, 5:59.

For complete results, visit www.tuxbro.com. tion is she was hit by a car after running away from a foster family that works with the Roses. They had saved the dog from a Posey County shelter earlier this month. Biscuit's future is bright, Rose said. "We've had a couple of people who have expressed interest in trying to help" with Biscuit's veterinary bills, which could come to $3,000.

"We've also had a couple people express interest in adopting her." If you're interested in helping, contact the Roses through their Web site: www.igpr.org. RESCUED, NOW RESTING Biscuit recovering Biscuit, the Great Pyrenees rescued by firefighters from the icy White Paver last week, is resting comfortably in the home of dog lovers John and Jane Rose. The Roses run a local rescue operation for the breed. Underweight by 30 pounds, Biscuit was found suffering from several injuries, including a dislocated kneecap. Specula-.