Cindy Hval

Cindy Hval is a free-lance columnist for The Spokesman-Review in the Voices department. She writes for The Spokesman-Review Voices neighborhood sections in Spokane County. Her stories appear weekly, and her Front Porch column appears twice a month in the Thursday Voice.

Contact Cindy

Email: dchval@juno.com
Fax: 509-927-2175

Recent stories by Cindy

Front Porch: Tweeter atwitter over notoriety

February 9, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page V1 When Spokesman-Review columnist/blogger Dave Oliveria started bugging me about Twitter, I scoffed at the notion that I needed any more social media in my life. Facebook already ate up too …
Hard times strengthened couple’s bond

February 9, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page V4 Not all love stories have fairly tale beginnings, no matter how happy the ending may be. When John and Vickie Hershey met, she was still married to her first husband. …
Vanessa Behan haven for kids at risk

February 2, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page V5 It’s been 30 years, but Bill Bialkowsky’s eyes still fill as he recalled reading the coroner’s report. “Fractured skull. Cigarette burns. Pulled hair,” he cleared his throat. “She died a …
Group helps hoarders, their family come clean

January 28, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page V2 According to the A&E television series “Hoarders,” more than 3 million people in the United States are affected by hoarding. Spokane resident Judi Manuel is one of them. In fact, …
Front Porch: Aye, a toast to all things Scottish

January 26, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page V1 In second grade at Jefferson Elementary, Mrs. Pendergast attempted to teach us about cultural heritage. She explained, “For example, my mother’s family is from Germany and my father’s family came …
Boys & Girls Clubs provides balanced dinners for youngsters

January 19, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Since 2001, Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County have offered a safe place for children ages 6 to 18 to spend their after-school hours. And since last January, the …
Love Story: Diluzios married after he left Navy

January 19, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page S5 Almost 70 years ago, Constance Disotell saw a handsome young sailor with a shock of wavy black hair slide into a booth at a Hillyard ice cream parlor where her … 1
Clayton-Hamilton brings the big sounds

January 12, 2012 in Features on Page C1 Their sound is boisterous, their rhythm infectious. If you think big band music has gone the way of pin curls and shoulder pads, think again. Or better yet, check out …
Front Porch: Riding in the car with boys

January 12, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page V1 I could tell something was wrong the minute he got into the car. His face was flushed and his eyes bright with unshed tears. As I slowly navigated the school …
Siblings behind the scenes

January 12, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page S1 AK-47s. Bodies falling out of moving vehicles.
Art class teaches creativity with community in mind

January 5, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page S1 On a gray December morning, splashes of color warmed and brightened the Lied Art Center at Whitworth University. The color came in the form of rugs crafted by students in …
Family is grateful for help after life-changing accident

January 5, 2012 in Washington Voices on Page V1 On Aug. 14, a fun-filled day at Loon Lake ended in near tragedy for the Santos family. As Angelo Santos; his wife, Alyssa; and children Isabella, Zachary, Annalia, and Nikko, … 3
Aerial silks classes teach suspended poses

December 29, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page V1 There’s a new fitness class in Spokane Valley that’s taking exercise to new heights. In September, lifelong gymnast Sherrie Martin launched Spokane Aerial Performance Arts and began offering classes at … 1
Front Porch: Christmas traditions move along

December 29, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page V1 When Tevye and the cast belt out “Tradition” in “Fiddler on the Roof,’ they’re singing my song. I, especially, love the ritual, familiarity and comfort of holiday traditions. For me, …
Couple’s feelings lasted through war

December 22, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Wilson Conaway didn’t care for high school in Youngstown, Ohio. “It was 1942,” he recalled. “The war was on. There were a lot of flags waving, and I wanted to …
Front Porch: Santa’s bag overflows with ideas

December 15, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page V1 It’s that festive time of year. Holiday lights twinkle from the garland on our banister and glow on the Christmas tree. The Play-doh nativity set sits once again in the …
Teachers say holiday stage event great for teens, 3rd-graders

December 15, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page S5 A little girl’s letter to a Riverside High School drama teacher spawned an annual tradition that’s been delighting students, teachers and parents for eight years. The letter read, “Dear Mrs. …
Autism program aids relief

December 10, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page V5 The statistics are bleak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of 110 children is now diagnosed with autism. Four out of five of those are …
Opening communication lines

December 8, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Victor Richardson, 3, gripped a plastic pony in his hand and galloped him into the barn, while Kerri Baldwin flew a brightly colored rooster over his head. “He fly!” Victor …
East Central center seeks donations for annual Toyland

December 1, 2011 in Washington Voices on Page S8 The East Central Community Center was awash in teddy bears recently. Mrs. Claus, aka longtime volunteer Phyllis Daily, sat on a sofa surrounded by the cuddly toys. Daily and many …