Cindy Hval

Cindy Hval is a freelance columnist for the Voices neighborhood sections. 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

Lands Council, STCU, students team up on watershed restoration

May 16, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V5 The sun-dappled water glistened in the late morning light and so did the foreheads of the teens who planted trees along Hangman Creek last week. While some kids learn about … 3
Second place at national quilting show a thrill

May 16, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S5 Athletes have the Olympics. Actors have the Academy Awards. Musicians have the Grammys, and quilters have Paducah. Each April thousands of quilters travel to Paducah, Ky., for the American Society … 2
Front Porch: Social media has upside – just ask friends in need

May 9, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Longtime readers know I’m not a morning person. I may be awake at 7 a.m. each workday, but I’m not happy about it. I certainly don’t converse unless you count …
Perspective, friendships follow Hospice service work

May 9, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S5 Warm greetings met Broderick Hirai, 20, as he walked down the halls of a North Side nursing home last week. Nurses smiled. Residents reached for his hand. When he entered …
Love Story: Her comic books won him over

May 2, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V5 It wasn’t her eyes or her smile that captured his heart – it was her comic books. Sixty years ago, Laurie and Sheri Zapf met in the third grade in … 3
Students use drama to address bullying

May 2, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Sergey Grankin sat on a toilet on a small stage in Mary Cooper’s Ferris High School classroom last week. “I’m optimistic about vomiting,” he said. “If you knew every time … 2
Keeping lid on toilet etiquette

April 25, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 In case you missed it. On April 8, a 25-year-old transgender woman was banned from the Lewiston Rosauers after customers complained she used the women’s restroom. According to an Associated … 1
MAC displays newsletters, items from Rotary club’s 100 years

April 25, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Dozens of folks braved the drizzling rain Sunday to view the past 100 years through the eyes of Rotary Club 21. The one-day exhibit at the Northwest Museum of Arts …
Front Porch: 75 years later, couple still inspires

April 11, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 They don’t make anniversary cards for 75th anniversaries. At least they didn’t have any at the stores I checked. After all, 72-day marriages like Kim Kardashian’s are probably more common …
Love Story: He was smitten before first date

April 11, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S5 For some it takes just one look – for others one date. But Don Thomas didn’t even need that. “Before I ever went out with her I knew she was …
Table tennis grows serious following

April 4, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 The rhythmic clickety-clack of bouncing pingpong balls echoes throughout the small gym at North Park Racquet Club. But this isn’t pingpong like you play in your rec room. This is … 1
Front Porch: Family can’t let a sleeping mom lie

March 28, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 A shadow sliced the sunlight. The white metal table wobbled as he dropped a sheaf of papers next to my brimming cup of café au lait. “It’s brilliant!” he said. …
Love Story: Marriage marked by adventure

March 28, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S1 It was the car she noticed first. While enjoying a soda with her mother at Halpin’s Drug Store in Spokane Valley, Maggie Moore watched a sleek, black 1947 Buick Super …
Business-minded women

March 21, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S5 Businesses in the burgeoning Garland District have more in common than just their location. Most of them – from Tinman Gallery to Celebrations Bakery to the Garland Sandwich Shoppe – …
Front Porch: Savoring last years with kid at home

March 14, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V1 One by one they arrived at two-year intervals. First Ethan, then Alex, then Zack. Each baby welcomed with joy until our home overflowed with boys. Three is plenty we said. …
Lilac Festival float still a diamond in the rough

March 14, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V10 It doesn’t look like much. A few sheets of plywood, the steel skeleton of a diamond jutting up in the front, a white plastic lawn chair perched on the back. … 2
Tribes keep language alive

March 14, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V5 The unmistakable melody of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” filled the packed room at the Pavilion at Northern Quest Resort and Casino. A trio of women took the stage, executing the iconic … 3
Love Story: Three brides for three brothers

March 7, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page V5 The Sale brothers know about marriage. The three men and their wives have a combined total of 185 years of marital experience between them. Here from youngest to oldest, the … 6
Traditional feast

March 6, 2013 in Food on Page C1 A happy buzz of laughter and conversation filled the kitchen at Temple Beth Shalom on a recent afternoon, as women gathered to bake hamantaschen for the 72nd annual Kosher Dinner. … 4
Front Porch: Spokanlandia perfect place for spring fun

February 28, 2013 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Bashing your hometown seems to be a popular activity among some Spokanites. Not me. 6