Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 4

Today's talker A chance to voice your opinions about the U.S. space program President Bush wants your views on the future of America's space program, and one of his advisers, Arizona State University scientist Laurie Leshin, soon will hear what you have to say. Then she'll tell the president. Early this year, Bush announced a new mission for NASA, aimed at mounting manned missions to Mars. To help chart specific plans for this mission, he appointed a nine-member Presidential Commission on the Implementation of U.S.

Space Exploration Policy, a group of business leaders, policymakers and scientists that includes one Arizonan: Leshin. The president also called for public comment. So, at 7 p.m. April 30, ASU and Leshin will host a community forum in Gammage Auditorium. The forum is free, but tickets are required and available at ASU bookstores, Borders, the Challenger Space Center, the Arizona Science Center and at the door.

Reservationsinformation: (480) 965-0051. The public may submit comments at www.asu.eduexplore space. William Hermann News update Small sections of the Colorado River will be closed in Grand Canyon National Park to protect the nesting sites of an endangered bird, park officials said. Small sections in river mile 28 and river mile 50 will be closed from May 1 to July 15. The closure is designed to protect the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher, park spokeswoman Maureen Oltrogge said.

No hiking, camping or river landings will be allowed in the area. Associated Press Paul Maryniak, metro editor, 602.444.NEWS or paul.maryniakarizonarepublic.com Wednesday, April 14, 2004 SECTION THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC news.azcentral.com PUNK PRINCESS' TOUR STOPS IN MESA CMy McCai 2 Valley not meeting new ozone I standard Tougher EPA rules may bring changes hospHzed after stroke High blood pressure likely cause; prognosis 'excellent' fr 'W By Kerry Fchr-Snyder and Billy House The Arizona Republic At 49, Cindy McCain is young to suffer a stroke. But the wife of Arizona Sen. John McCain also suffers from high blood pressure, which doctors say probably triggered her stroke on Monday. "Most people who have and return home on Friday.

McCain was in New York City on Monday night promoting his new book when his wife became ill. He flew back to Phoenix late Monday. On Tuesday morning, he updated the couple's four children, ages 12 to 19, on her prognosis, which he called "excellent." Dr. James Frey, director of the stroke program at St. Jo- A Mlklstfi Photos by Michael ChowThe Arizona Republic Devin Garza, 17, of Phoenix blows a kiss to Avril Lavigne while the pop star played a free concert Tuesday at Fiesta Mall in Mesa.

Avril, uncomplicated 3,000 hear free acoustic concert at mall strokes have high blood pressure," said Dr. Peter Nakaji, who is treating Cindy McCain at Barrow Neurological Institute. On Tuesday, John McCain said that his wife has battled high blood pressure for sephs, said patients who haven't controlled their blood pressure often are at risk. He recommends his patients buy a blood-pressure cuff and check their blood pressure at home. A normal blood pressure varies with age but generally should be less than 140 over 90.

i By Mary Jo Pitzl The Arizona Republic The Phoenix metro area, including northern Pinal County, is among the estimated 500 areas nationwide that do not meet a new, more-restrictive air pollution standard for ozone. That could lead to more rules for residents and nesses, ranging from different fuel blends for summertime drivers to tighter emission standards on recently constructed power plants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday will announce where areas nationwide stack up when measured against an eight-hour standard for ozone, a largely colorless, odorless pollutant that is linked to a variety of respiratory problems. EPA officials, in Phoenix on Tuesday, said that although the metro area doesn't meet the new standard, it is close.

That will give local air-quality planners more flexibility in deciding what steps to take to further cut the pollutants that form ozone, said Deborah Jordan, air-division director for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Pacific Southwest region. Power plants could be among the targets. The Phoenix area has had a waiver for years that has precluded planners from taking steps to control nitrogen oxides that come from power plants and contribute to ozone formation. That waiver does not apply to the new standard.

"As you know, they've built a lot of new power plants in this area in the last few years," said Colleen McKaughan, state EPA director. See EPA Page B7 years. She began feel- Cindy ing weak and dizzy at McCain lunch Monday and was taken to Barrow, located at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center. There, she was treated for "a small cerebral hemorrhage," her husband said in a statement.

McCain said his wife's speech was slurred slightly but that it has improved. Her blood pressure is still elevated, he added, but doctors are treating it with medication. The most common type of stroke is caused by a blockage, which results in a lack of blood flowing to the brain. It is usu As recently as April, Cindy McCain had traveled to Sri Lanka to observe the work of the HALO Trust, a politically neutral charitable group that has been working to remove land mines and unexploded ordnance from battlefields. Family members remain optimistic but cautious, said Betsey Bayless, Cindy McCain's longtime friend and director of the Arizona Department of Administration.

"This has got to be very tough on her children, who are not used to seeing her in the hospital," Bayless said. "They're used to seeing their mother the strong one." When McCain had health troubles, it was Cindy McCain who was at his side, Bayless said. "She was always the one taking care of him. Now here she is in the hospital," Bayless said. By Lindsey Collom The Arizona Republic About eight Mesa Mountain View students ditched their final two classes on Tuesday to get a peek at their favorite punk princess.

"We're Avril superfans," said Thatcher Claspell, 17, referring to Canadian popster Avril Lavigne. "We listened to her on the way over here to get pumped." The teens were among 3,000 screaming Avril Lavigne fans who were treated to a free acoustic show Tuesday at Fiesta Mall in Mesa. It was the 18th stop on the singersongwriter's 20-mall North American tour. Concertgoers began lining up outside the mall at 7 a.m. to get a glimpse of the Grammy-nominated pop sensation.

Grace Ehret, 21, of Tempe, stood in the sun for several hours before being let into the mall. Somewhat scorched and sweat-stained, Ehret said the "I like Avril because her music lifts my spirits. Also, all the guys I've met here are sober. (Avril) fans are good people." Grace Ehret A 21-year-old Avril Lavigne fan who stood in the sun for several hours before being let into the mall and rock and roll. (Avril) fans are good people." Nineteen-year-old Lavigne has been lauded as the anti-Britney Spears, a model for the straight-edge set with her See AVRIL LAVIGNE Page B2 ally treated with blood thinners.

But Cindy McCain suffered a type of stroke that results in bleeding in the brain. It is treated with intravenous medication. Doctors declined to discuss her condition specifically. But John McCain said he expects his wife to be moved out of the intensive-care unit today Tuesday's concert stop was Avril Lavigne's 18th. trouble was worth it she found a spot to stand several feet back from center stage.

"I like Avril because her music lifts my spirits," Ehret said. "Also, all the guys I've met here are sober. Most of alternative music is sex, drugs rtTrontmlrnm Find ou more about stroke and high dfei LUI 1 blood pressure at health.azcentral.com i NATIONAL POETRY MONTH Teacher takes haiku to the streets Finding spark Tips from teachers on inspiring children to write poetry. Education page. B3 types find they have something in common: poetry.

"It has evolved over the years," Bronson said. "Now it's to the point where they really let loose." Like Japanese haiku, street haiku is a 17-syllable poem, five syllables in the first line, SWT forward-New Yorker kind of way. "I wanted their gut feelings," said Bronson, who teaches at Cesar Chavez High School. "I wanted their gut reactions to their surroundings." The Japanese haiku will never be the same. Bronson was stunned when the haiku came rolling in, "each one better than the next." She calls it "street haiku," and it has unlocked the creative door to her freshman students and touched off a poetry-writing wave at Chavez High that has students from all grades reading their poetry out loud.

"Street poetry has allowed me to open my mind," said Brittanee Perkins, 15. "It's like a story." Bronson came up with street haiku five years ago as a final project to a six-week poetry unit. She was looking for a way to connect to her students. Some had tough home lives, and some have spent time in juvenile hall. Soft-spoken students, muscle-bound athletes and artsy By Monica Mendoza The Arizona Republic English teacher Carole Bronson was tired of seeing students' eyes roll and hearing heavy sighs when she introduced poetry to her class.

She was weary of the drippy, uninteresting tip-toe-through-the-tulips kind of poetry students were handing in. Dig deep. Find your voice, she told her students. Give me something real, she told freshmen in her excited, straight t- -wk a I seven in the second and five in the last. But their topics move beyond nature.

"My friend uses drugs. She says it is like candy. That I should try it," fresh-See CHAVEZ Page B2 Suzanne StarrThe Arizona Republic Ivette Rios, 14, reads her poem at Cesar Chavez High. Nature calls Roberts Index You've heard of Take Your Child to School Day. Now get ready for Take Your Child to Nature Day.

The Nature Conservancy has decreed Sunday as the ideal time to take the young ones out for an encounter with nature, whether at one of the conservancy's many preserves in Arizona or an urban park. The conservancy is responding to the rapidly decreasing amount of time that kids spend outdoors, as well as trying to boost interest in environmental issues. Acts of Kindness B2 Lottery B2 People B2 Education B3 PhoenixScottsdale B4 Heremelinda Corral has worked her whole life to give her children what she never had. Now she's dying and her friend would like to give her one special day if only she could. W.

ValleyE. Valley B5 Inside today Gun measure approved A state House committee passes a bill that would allow patrons to bring guns into restaurants that serve alcohol. The National Rifle Association supports the measure, but it faces opposition from restaurant owners, liquor distributors, police and neighborhood groups. B6 B6 Capitol ONLINE POLL TODAY'S QUESTION: Should community colleges be allowed to offer bachelor's degrees? Yes, community colleges are much cheaper. If they have the staff and the curriculum, why not? No, bachelor's degrees should be limited to four-year schools.

Unsure. Vote by 4 p.m. at newi.azcentral.com. Look for results here Thursday. Tuesday's poll results QUESTION: Are you changing your driving habits because of rising gas prices? No: 51.

Yes: 49. B12 Desert Hike-A-Thon B6 B8.9 B10.ll B12 B12 Arizona Opinions Obituaries Valley 101 Weather The Desert Foothills Land Trust is hosting a Hike-A-Thon "Fun-raiser" on Saturday featuring hikes through desert preserves. Proceeds benefit the Desert Foothills Land Trust, a non-profit organization that works to protect unique plants and wildlife in the Sonoran desert Fee is $25. Hikers meet at the DFLT office, 7518 E. Elbow Bend, Suite 4B, in Carefree.

To reserve a spot, call (480) 488-6131. azjoentralcom For the latest news, go to news.azcentral.com..