Negative View a positive move for artists

‘Quality” is the key word for the products from The Negative View, a business that photographs and reproduces works of fine art. And it’s more than that, explained owner Joe Sharnetsky. Artists can also enhance or change their work in the process of reproducing them. He also restores photos.

The shop is at 2926 Government Way, just north of Les Schwab Tires, in Coeur d’Alene. Several regional artists joined Sharnetsky at an open house Wednesday.

“I handle the photography and reproduction of art for all media – oil, acrylic, watercolor paper, premium photo, silk fabric and wallpaper media for murals,” he said. “My customer base includes artists, photographers and people interested in wide-format prints and photo restoration.”

Sharnetsky came to North Idaho from Detroit after retiring as an officer with Electronic Data Systems. The 1,800-square-foot store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and by appointment. Phone (208) 665-7705.

TnT Mufflers opens

The store at 523 Sherman Ave. in downtown Coeur d’Alene that previously was Midas Mufflers is now TnT Mufflers & More, with new owners.

Manager Todd Miller, who has 10 years’ experience in the business, and three employees sell, service, install and repair automobile exhaust, suspension and braking systems and parts. They also do oil changes and provide free inspections of the auto systems they service.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Phone (208) 666-2591.

Furniture and heat

Patio furniture and fuel-efficient heating are the products of Northwest Patio & Heating, which plans an April 21 opening at 3650 Government Way (Unit F of the mini-mall behind Rockin’ Robin Cafe).

The patio portion of the store will offer outdoor furniture, bar setups, canopies, umbrellas, patio heaters and firepots.

The special heating option for sale is called monitor heating, a fuel-efficient indoor heating system.

Owner Piper Hareland and three employees will operate the 4,000-square-foot store 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. She moved to North Idaho from Santa Rosa, Calif., after visiting relatives here last summer. Phone (208) 765-9404.

Taylor Engineering

Coeur d’Alene is home to the third office of Taylor Engineering at 1221 Ironwood Drive.

The 55-person firm offers civil engineering, planning, landscape architecture and surveying with other offices in Spokane and Pullman. They offer public works and private sector projects.

Recent projects include Home Depot and Costco in Coeur d’Alene, several North Idaho housing projects, the surfaces at the Spokane Airport, Spokane Valley Mall, the new Gonzaga University basketball arena and the Mullan Trail feasibility study.

Personnel in the Coeur d’Alene office include Mark Aronson, principal-in-charge; Eric Shanley, office manager; Rik Van Gelder, surveyor and design technician; and Bow McKanna, civil engineer.

Tidbits

“Syringa Japanese Cafe & Sushi Bar will open noon Friday at 1401 Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. With a “Japanese-inspired” menu, the business offers indoor seating, takeout and catering for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Phone (208) 664-2718.

“The grand reopening for Ace Hardware on Seltice Way (across from Tidyman’s), Post Falls, is planned for May 10. The store started in 1979 and has expanded by 20,000 square feet. This place has more than survived the Wal-Mart competition.

“Here are a few observations after having traveled on four airlines in three weeks: Horizon/Alaska has the most comfortable and roomy seats. Free meals were only on Continental, but the movie earphones cost $5. It was the reverse on the competitors: The meals were $5, and the earphones free. The booze was $5 on all but Horizon, where it was free in a small glass. There, in the back row, seats don’t recline but the drink offering comes twice as the flight attendant went up the aisle and back.

“In my last column I complained about the bad standard coffee in New York and New Jersey. A caller from Moscow, Idaho, said I should have tried Dunkin’ Donuts.