Nevada County Supervisor Robin Sutherland is opening an office in Penn Valley beginning Oct. 13 to be more accessible to residents of her district.

The office will be located in the Peaceful Valley Plaza at the corner of Penn Valley Drive and Spenceville Road and will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. To avoid a potential wait, residents are encouraged to make an appointment. Residents are also welcome to drop in during open hours. Office hours will be extended in the future when volunteer staff can be found.

The cost of operating the office comes from Sutherland's personal income as an elected official. No county funds will be used, Sutherland said in a press release.

To schedule an appointment, call Sutherland directly at 432-4750. Residents can also meet with Sutherland at the Board of County Supervisors office in the Rood Administrative Center on Maidu Avenue in Nevada City. To schedule an appointment with her at the county office, call 265-1480.

Five businesses hold open house

The Quick Building in Grass Valley housed a cigar factory many years ago, but today it's the home of five small businesses that want the community to know more about them.

The businesses are holding a joint open house from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at 205 W. Main St. in part to mark the opening of the building's two newest tenants, Lyrix Studios and Bushido Warrior products.

Lyrix and Jerianne Van Dijk Illustrations will preview new art releases, Sierra Starr Winery will be serving wine, and Bushido Warrior Skin Care for Men will be offering its products. The fifth tenant is Kennective Technology. For more information, call 477-5180.

Coroner leads state organization

Nevada County's chief deputy coroner is now serving as president of the state coroners' organization.

Sheriff Keith Royal swore in Cathy Valceschini as head of the California State Coroners Association in a ceremony in Fresno last week. She has been on the organization's executive board since 1998.

The Nevada County native has served 27 years in the Sheriff's Office, starting as a dispatcher. She began working in the coroner's office in 1980 and has been in charge of the unit since 1983.

Valceschini investigates the circumstances surrounding violent, sudden and unusual deaths to determine the manner of death.

The recent Gulf Coast disasters highlight the need for preparedness, she said. In an emergency, the coroner's office collects remains and identifies the dead.

As the association president, Valceschini will guide the state organization in helping local coroners prepare for local emergencies.

"The priority for us, always, is ... to work out plans and stay on top of it with frequent training," Valceschini said.

<B>- Trina Kleist</B>

B&C, workers raise $12,000 for relief

A challenge from an employee at B&C True Value Home Center in Grass Valley has resulted in a $12,000 contribution to the American Red Cross to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina.

B&C employee James Ketchum asked the store's owners to match any money the employees raised for hurricane relief, and they agreed, said co-owner Kim Janousek.

Employees raised $3,000, the store's owners matched that with another $3,000, and then True Value Co. said it would match contributions from its member stores and their employees - another $6,000, in this case.

The Red Cross Katrina Relief Fund was presented a check for $12,000 Wednesday, Janousek said.