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

Student-made shirts help Nepalese girls

October 22, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page N1 It may be only October, but many high school seniors, and even juniors, are hard at work on assignments that must be completed before they don their caps and gowns. …
Offering comfort during cancer

October 22, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page S1 October is breast cancer awareness month. But cancer survivors like Melody Biehl are always aware of the insidious disease that claims more than 40,000 women in the United States each …
Finding community in digital age

October 15, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page V1 I don’t know much about art. To be honest, most of the art in my home was purchased at craft fairs or department stores. The rest of it was created …
Nonprofit restarts running programs

October 8, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page N1 On a windy fall afternoon, dozens of children ran, shouting and laughing, across the lawn at Westview Elementary School, enjoying an exuberant game of tag. The kids had been separated …
This year’s WSQ show includes mountain of quilts

October 8, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page N1 It’s an art form born out of necessity. For hundreds of years, women created colorful quilts to keep their families warm. Nowadays, quilts are just as likely to be hung … 1
Choosing green path to jobs

October 1, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Summer jobs are hard to come by for young teens. Paper routes are scarce and often taken by adults with cars. Fast-food restaurants don’t hire anyone under 16, and day …
Author finds laughs are best medicine

October 1, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page N6 Local author and speaker Deanna Davis was having one of those days. Her baby had spiked a fever and had all the symptoms of a nasty ear infection. Then her …
Author’s niche feeds cat-lovers

October 1, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page S2 Dogs may be man’s best friend, but according to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cats outnumber dogs by nearly 10 million among the pet-owning public. With an estimated 90 million …
Memories deepen with sons’ voices

October 1, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page S1 Last week I woke to the sound of men’s voices in my kitchen. I checked the clock and sat up abruptly. My husband had already left for work. Who could … 1
Adventure on wheels

September 24, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page V4 Fourteen-year-old KellyAnn Cameron and her sister, Erin, 13, went on a bike ride with their parents over summer vacation. That might not sound as exciting as a trip to Disneyland, …
Cindy Hval: Grid clinic for moms an eye-opener

September 17, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page V1 If Hank Williams Jr. were to have asked me if I was “ready for some football” last Thursday, my answer would have been, “I’m trying.” After all, I’m not ready …
Stealth powerbroker

September 13, 2009 in Business on Page E1 He served as legislative counsel for the Washington state House of Representatives. He was special counsel to Gov. Mike Lowry. He negotiated interviews with Barbara Walters and Larry King for …
Senior women take bronze

September 10, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page V18 A group of medal winners returned to Spokane recently with little fanfare. No marching bands or media outlets welcomed them home, though the Spokane senior women’s softball team brought home …
Genealogy buffs to gather

September 5, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page V3 Friday through Sept. 13, the Davenport Hotel will be awash in even more history than usual. That’s because the hotel will be the site of the 2009 Washington State Genealogical …
High school prepares for instrument swap

September 5, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page V1 Five years ago while browsing through skis and poles at the Mount Spokane Ski Swap, Dawn Bayman had an epiphany. What if there was an event like this that brought …
Genealogy buffs to gather

September 3, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page W2 Friday through Sept. 13, the Davenport Hotel will be awash in even more history than usual. That’s because the hotel will be the site of the 2009 Washington State Genealogical …
Sister city program sends Spokane high-schoolers to Japan

September 3, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page N13 When Jordan Rogers turned 16 on July 2, he had to wake up and go to school. He didn’t mind, however, because school was in Nishinomiya, Japan. Japanese schools run …
Computer losses inspire new mantra: back up

September 3, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page V1 I never thought I’d be grateful that my husband shocked himself and simultaneously fried the hard drive on my computer last August – but I am. After Derek’s home improvement …
The right partner

August 29, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page V1 After the death of her first husband in 1964, Suzanne Bollman said, “I spent many years looking for Mr. Right.” Five years ago, she found him on a dance floor …
SpokAnimal program offers training for young pet lovers

August 20, 2009 in Washington Voices on Page W2 To say that 10-year-old Emily Najar likes animals might be an understatement. “I’ve got 16 pets,” the Stevens Elementary student said. “Eight kittens, two cats, a rat, two fish and …