A to Z Rentals gets new owner, may expand
A to Z Rentals & Sales Inc., a Spokane Valley-based chain of six rental stores, has a new majority owner. Trevor Kettrick says he has bought controlling interest in the business from his mother, Cheryl Kettrick, who is now minority owner.

Trevor Kettrick has worked in the business most of his life, he says, and bought the business because of his familiarity with it and to keep it in his family.

A to Z Rentals employs between 35 and 50 full- and part-time employees, depending on the season. The company, which operates three stores here and three in North Idaho, is considering expanding into southeast and central Washington. Possible locations include Pullman, Moscow, Moses Lake, and the Tri-Cities, Kettrick says, although no expansion decisions have been made.

The rental chain was founded in 1967 in the Spokane Valley by Milt and Alice Neumann. The Neumanns sold the business in 1996 and Cheryl Kettrick repurchased it in 2005.

The business rents out light construction equipment, lawn and garden equipment, and wedding party items.

Cd'A business targets energy inefficiency
Don Crawford, of Coeur d'Alene, has launched a new business that helps homeowners and businesses save energy costs by using infrared technology to identify heat loss from buildings.

Crawford, who has been a custom homebuilder in North Idaho for 10 years, started the new business after learning about infrared technology and its ability to photograph patterns of heat loss in buildings, he says. The infrared cameras are able to measure heat loss through walls and ceilings, Crawford says.

"We can pinpoint right where the heat is escaping the building," he says.

From the information captured, Crawford is able to make specific recommendations to businesses and homeowners on how they can reduce energy consumption. Energy Alliance Solutions also advises clients on utility rebates and tax credits they can receive for making certain improvements, or energy upgrades, he says.

Crawford has been doing energy audit work in Spokane for Avista Corp. through his business since March. He says about 25 percent of the work he receives is from Avista, which subcontracts projects out to him.

Energy Alliance Solutions has one other employee, and Crawford runs the business out of his home.

Millwood Gallery opens, displays unique glass art
Millwood Gallery, a new art gallery featuring the work of local artists, has opened in 800 square feet of space at 9009 E. Euclid. The gallery mostly features stained glass and fused glass art done by its owner, Teresa Antosyn, and other art displayed in inlaid wooden serving boards, photography, handmade jewelry, and some furniture, Antosyn says.

Antosyn says she has been creating glass art for about 15 years, starting with stained glass and later incorporating fused glass in her work. She says she is looking for more artists in the Spokane area who would be interested in displaying their work at the gallery.

Antosyn is the gallery's sole employee. She says she hopes to hold outdoor art events there this summer and sponsor local artists who wish to participate.