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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.

Recent stories by Cindy

Love amid challenges of Alzheimer’s disease

July 29, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page V1 A former Navy Seal, he earned a master’s degree in education. And nine years ago, at age 63, still trim and fit, he found the love of his life. But … 1
Reading gets loud at the library

July 29, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Patrons expecting quiet at the Shadle Library last Thursday were in for a surprise. The shrill call of bagpipes and the rattle of a drum shattered the soft murmur of …
Life on the move but rarely apart

July 25, 2010 in Idaho Voices on Page I1 If Fred Mitchell hadn’t been at the Greyhound bus station in Sioux Falls, S.D., in the summer of 1944, he might never have met the love of his life. A …
From humble roots to 36 greens

July 22, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Irv Zakheim, president and CEO of Zak Designs, enjoys golfing and supporting local children’s charities. Eleven years ago he combined the two activities in a small golf tournament and barbecue, …
Soccer has something for everyone

July 22, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page V1 When three out of six people in your household play or coach soccer, the World Cup becomes a very big deal. Consequently, at Casa Hval from June 11 to July …
Soldier among the best in Army warrior contest

July 22, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page S6 This summer, Army Staff Sgt. Adam Sahlberg of Spokane Valley celebrated the Fourth of July in a memorable way. He and his wife, Kristena, met President Barack Obama and the …
Concrete canvas

July 17, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page V2 Not all art is found in galleries or museums. In fact, motorists and pedestrians who travel through the railroad underpass on Fourth Avenue, east of Sunset Boulevard, have a visual …
Just don’t text me late for dinner

July 8, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Oscar Wilde said that discontent is the first step in the progress of a man or nation. However, for me, discontent often leads to a prolonged battle with technology. If …
Private foster care agency gets new home

July 1, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page N4 An agency that helps children find homes at last has a home of its own. On Tuesday, Olive Crest will host an open house at its new North Side location. …
Spokane group provides makeup for low-income women

July 1, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page N1 Every morning women all over the world start their day with a regular beauty routine. Special facial scrubs, rich moisturizers, a dab of lipstick, a swipe of mascara. It’s a … 1
Homeland security’s best friends

June 24, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Cyclists on the Trail of the Coeur d’ Alenes have a new viewpoint at the trailhead just north of Plummer, Idaho. On May 29, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe Veterans Memorial …
Inland Empire Railway Historical Society plans open house

June 17, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page S5 The majestic visage of the mighty steam engine. The rumble and roar of the cars speeding down the track. The thrill of getting a wave and a blast of the …
Cupid’s arrow overtook gunfire

June 13, 2010 in Idaho Voices on Page I1 Donna Stafford first saw her future husband, Milt, in the summer of 1942. She’d come to Coeur d’Alene to visit relatives. As she and her two aunts walked down the …
Dad posters celebrate Spokane-born holiday

June 13, 2010 in Idaho Voices on Page I4 If you want to know how area third-graders define fatherhood, take a walk through the second floor of River Park Square. Dozens of brightly colored posters adorn the walls near …
Boy in street gives Sunday meaning

June 10, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Sunday morning. Same routine, same rush to get everyone out the door in an attempt to make it to church on time. Same route with the same irritating Sunday drivers. … 1
Five Mile’s Anna Carmichael relishes drama, sets sights on mission trip to India

June 3, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page N4 Jane Wright, teacher at Five Mile Prairie School, described this year’s commencement speaker as “bubbly and full of enthusiasm.” But Anna Carmichael wasn’t always so excited about school. She had …
Mead High School’s Jennifer Choi challenges herself

June 3, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page N12 Many teens look forward to taking easy classes during their senior year, but not Mead High School student Jennifer Choi. Her counselor, Keith Browning, said, “I’ve never seen a student …
New setting helped M.E.A.D. student embrace school

June 3, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page N15 Sometimes a student comes along who surprises everybody. Such is the case with Jaime Nesdahl, who surprised even herself. “It’s unbelievable to me that I’m going to graduate on time!” …
Northwest Christian’s Liz Nixon is humble, but wise, grateful and anxious to help others

June 3, 2010 in Washington Voices on Page N14 She loves a lot of things: volleyball, singing, writing, drawing, and her brothers. And Northwest Christian School’s Elizabeth “Liz” Nixon doesn’t take the things she loves for granted. Perhaps that’s …
Patriotism rang true on parade route

May 28, 2010 in City on Page A9 Editor’s note: This Front Porch column was incomplete in some editions of Thursday’s Voices. When I received an invitation to appear in this year’s Armed Forces Torchlight Parade, I had … 1