Stories by Cindy Hval for the Spokesman-Review

News > Spokane

‘Tough as Nails’ indeed: Rosalia family, volunteers honor girl’s memory through nonprofit

Thu., Dec. 26, 2019

A desire to help a child dealing with leukemia spawned an idea. And it turned into a nonprofit that would benefit hundreds of kids and families.

A&E

Christmas shows are plentiful through the weekend

Thu., Dec. 19, 2019

The countdown to Christmas has begun in earnest, but the area’s lively entertainment scene offers plenty of glittering gifts to unwrap before Santa’s arrival. Here are some holiday highlights.

News > Spokane

Front Porch: Naughty or nice, this kitty likes to loaf around

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 19, 2019

The rustling sound gave me pause.

News > Business

Spokane used Book business turns the page to include brick-and-mortar

UPDATED: Tue., Dec. 17, 2019

Bibliophiles rejoiced when books began reappearing in the windows of the former Cal’s Books on North Hamilton Street. Last month, a new sign went up announcing the arrival of Page 42 Books.

News > Spokane

Love Story: 70 years later and there’s still plenty of love to go around for the Moses family

Thu., Dec. 12, 2019

“There’s a whole lot of love here,” said Virginia Moses, 89, gazing at her husband, Ed. A whole lot, indeed. In October, the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary and on Saturday, Ed turned 100.

A&E

From Nespelem to Niagara Falls, James Pakootas of the Colville Confederated Tribes is a portrait of resilience

Sat., Dec. 7, 2019

From being incarcerated in federal prison to taking center stage at the Native American Music Awards, James Pakootas of the Colville Confederated Tribes embodies the power of the human spirit. On Nov. 2, Pakootas and fellow tribal members Tony Louie and Daniel Nanamkin were honored with a Nammy for Best Hip Hop Music Video at the 19th Annual Native American Music Awards in Niagara Falls, New York.

News > Spokane

Front Porch: Hutton provides home with heart

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 5, 2019

There’s no place like home for the holidays and for 32 children, Hutton Settlement is the place they call home. Earlier this year, I got to know four of those children.

News > Spokane

Research solves WWII mystery: Nephew’s book, ‘Not Forgotten,’ puts family’s questions to rest

UPDATED: Thu., Dec. 5, 2019

Dave Reynolds never met his uncle, U.S. Army Cpl. Lester LaVerne (Verne) Zornes, but he’s never forgotten him.

News > Spokane

Love story: Couple worlds apart find each other in Thailand: Spokane Valley woman, Moroccan man at home in Northwest

Thu., Nov. 28, 2019

She was born and raised in Spokane Valley.

News > Spokane

Front Porch: Sin City glitz captivating – briefly

Thu., Nov. 21, 2019

Whoever said what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, is obviously not a newspaper columnist.

A&E

Singer-songwriter Heather Mae has finally found her voice

UPDATED: Sun., Nov. 17, 2019

Growing up in Virginia near Washington, D.C., in an area fueled by politics, Heather Mae had one goal: “I wanted to get out of the suburbs, move to a big city and have a big, loud life,” she said.

News > Education

Preschoolers shoot for 1,000 books: Spokane Public Library launches challenge

Thu., Nov. 14, 2019

Nobody expects a preschooler to be able to count to 1,000, but a new program offered by Spokane Public Library is helping parents and caregivers track a goal of reading 1,000 books to their children before kindergarten.

A&E

Sip and stitch: Liquid creativity fuels Chunky Knit Blanket classes at Pinot’s Palette

Sat., Nov. 9, 2019

If you think an evening at Pinot’s Palette is all about paintbrushes and canvases, you might be surprised to learn about the paint and sip establishment’s newest classes. (Hint: They’re super cozy.) On Oct. 30, approximately two dozen people were up to their elbows in yarn during Pinot’s Palette’s Chunky Knit Blanket class.

News > Spokane

Front Porch: Go home chicken, you’re drunk

Wed., Nov. 6, 2019

Tears poured from my eyes as I thumbed through the pages.

News > Spokane

Rockwell work has Spokane tie

Wed., Nov. 6, 2019

With an ax in one hand and a book in the other, he looms larger-than-life. His boot-clad feet trod golden leaves, his eyes focused on the book’s pages – it’s Lincoln at his most Everyman. The iconic Norman Rockwell painting, “The Railsplitter,” had its genesis, and its home for many years, right here in Spokane.

A&E

Presidential portraits by John Thamm are on display at county libraries

Thu., Oct. 31, 2019

A thoughtful James K. Polk gazes at book browsers at the Argonne Library. The quote posted next to his portrait seems surprisingly contemporary: “There is more selfishness and less principle among members of Congress than I had any conception of before I became President of the U.S.”

News > Spokane

Creatures and curiosity: Cryptid Trivia caps lively session at library

Thu., Oct. 31, 2019

A rumored sighting of Bigfoot at the Spokane Valley Library last week has been confirmed. Sasquatch was there. So was the Creature from the Black Lagoon and Gorn, from “Star Trek” fame.

Opinion > Column

Front Porch: All aboard the Scenic Pend Oreille River Train

UPDATED: Wed., Oct. 23, 2019

Thankfully, we’d been warned in advance that train robberies frequently occur on the Scenic Pend Oreille River Train. Even better, the cash collected goes to support the many community projects of the Newport/Priest River Rotary Club, which operates the ride.

A&E > Books

She’s hooked on her books: ‘Matchmaker’ to open Wishing Tree Books in South Perry soon

Fri., Oct. 18, 2019

Books spilled from dozens of boxes and towered in stacks on shelves. Janelle Smith was in her element.

News > Spokane

Little Free Pantries popping up in northwest neighborhoods thanks to Caritas Outreach partnership

Wed., Oct. 16, 2019

Little Free Libraries offer neighborhoods a way to nurture souls, and now Little Free Pantries offer a way to fill empty stomachs.

News > Spokane

Front Porch: Take a seat and hear about the sofa hunt

Thu., Oct. 10, 2019

Three seconds. That’s about how long it takes me to tell if a couch is comfortable.

News > Spokane

An appetite to help out: Hundreds help Christian nonprofit, Feed My Starving Children, pack meals for youth in communities abroad

UPDATED: Fri., Oct. 4, 2019

A sea of hairnet-clad heads filled the sanctuary at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Spokane Valley on Friday night.

News > Spokane

Love story: Friends at early age, couple became romantic in college

Thu., Oct. 3, 2019

It was hardly love at first sight when Julie Houk and Ron Bohman met in 1959. To be fair, they were both 5 at the time, and likely more interested in snack time than true love.

A&E

Pet Emergency Clinic’s community blood bank saves canines’ lives

Wed., Oct. 2, 2019

Buddy is a very good boy. He’s gentle, sweet-natured and obedient. He also saves lives. Buddy is a canine blood donor who belongs to Claressa Salsbury, lead veterinarian technician for internal medicine at the Pet Emergency Clinic in Spokane.

News > Spokane

Front Porch: Toddler/teen behavior defines rowdy kitten

Thu., Sept. 26, 2019

Question: What do you get when you combine the terrible two’s of toddlerhood with the terrifying tenure of teenage years?

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