Like many business people in western Nevada County, Ty and Eileen Wheeler have opened their facility at a moment’s notice when someone in the community needed help.

Two days before well-known Nevada City drummer Isaac James was seriously injured in a solo wreck on a foggy stretch of Tyler Foote Crossing Road, he played with flautist Bill Douglas to accompany studio co-owner Eileen Wheeler and visiting master Shaolin monks in a performance of tai chi and kung fu before 350 people at the Wheelers’ Body Balance of Northern California in downtown Grass Valley.

When the Wheelers learned of the accident, they offered their spacious studio for a concert fundraiser that included James’ friend, Scottish fiddle master Alasdair Frasier. It raised a “significant” amount of money for James’ wife and child, Ty Wheeler said.

About 400 people attended.

“I couldn’t believe how this community was able to come together in a short time,” said Eileen Wheeler, who opened the business with her husband a year ago.

Douglas will play flute during a special Valentine’s Day tai chi session at 10 a.m. Feb. 14 at the studio at 151 Mill St. Admission is $10 for nonstudents, free for students and their guests, and includes hot tea and fresh fruit after the one-hour session.

Call 477-0677 for information.

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To contact City Editor Trina Kleist, e-mail tkleist@theunion.com or call 477-4230.