Crux Winery is proud to support the rebuilding of the Anova Center of Education after the school was burnt down in the Tubbs Fire in 2017. We are forever grateful to our friends and family who have contributed along the way, in any way. If you can, we’d appreciate your continued support.
Heidi Adler, who is the Crux in-house photographer and wife to Brian, Crux Partner and GM, has been at Anova for 16-years, the last 15 years of which as the School Director (aka Principle). As a Licensed Educational Psychologist, Heidi has a deep passion for supporting students on the Autism spectrum and other related disorders — a commitment she has upheld over her 30+ year career.
How the Tubbs Fire Affected Anova Staff and Students
On the morning of Monday, October 9th 2017, Brian and Heidi were startled awake around 3am by howling winds, the smell of smoke, and a view of flames on the eastern ridgetops. Over the next few hours the reality of the situation became more clear. In just over 6 hours, a massive fire had raged from the western slopes of Calistoga, over the Mayacamas Mountains and down into Santa Rosa. In its path and over its 23 day existence, the Tubbs fire killed at least 22 people, destroyed or damaged 0ver 6,500 buildings, and burnt over 36,000 acres. Early that morning on Oct 9th, the fire destroyed Anova and the brand new play structure that had been delivered only the week prior.
The school was closed for 3 weeks while Heidi and her team crafted a re-opening plan and dealt with the ongoing fires in the area. It took Heidi’s strong network and hours of work for the school to be able to reopen at the same time as local schools that hadn’t burned down. They had to divide the students and staff into 3 locations, but the school was in session and the kids were showing their resilience.
Since February 2018, Anova’s 150+ students have been learning in portable classrooms in a parking lot of Luther Burbank Center across from where their school once stood. Last year, in October of 2023, six years after the Tubbs Fire, construction finally began at the Anova Center of Education, thanks to community fundraising and hard efforts.
Rebuilding the Anova Center for Education
In a recent interview for the Windsor Connection, Heidi says, “We envision the rebuilt Anova Center for Education playing a pivotal role in the larger community. With expanded facilities, we’ll have the capacity to serve more students, continuing our vital mission of improving the lives of our students, their families, and the communities they are part of. Our goal is to enhance our impact and provide even more support and opportunities for neuro-divergent individuals to thrive and contribute positively to society. It’s about ensuring our students have access to a campus that offers the same opportunities as any public-school campus. They deserve a school environment specifically designed to meet their unique needs and fully support their growth and development. This rebuilding project represents a commitment to providing our students with the resources and facilities they deserve, enhancing their educational experience, and empowering them to succeed in their own unique ways.”
After 7 years of blood, sweat, and tears, Anova is finally ready to rise from the ashes, like the mythical Phoenix, and house students in a home they deserve. In 2025, the Anova faculty and staff, led by Heidi, will finally occupy a school campus that comes close to matching the quality of the people inside.
Crux and our customers have played a big role in fundraising through the purchase of our limited edition 2017 Anova Phoenix Pinot Noir in Magnum. The school still needs help to achieve its goal and we would like to ask for your help.
Ways you can Help:
Donate directly to the Anova Capital Campaign
Purchase a Magnum of ‘The Phoenix’ Pinot Noir – all proceeds go to the Anova Capital Campaign and you get a lovely Mangum of Pinot Noir.
Anyone who purchases a bottle of The Phoenix or donates $250 or more to the Capital Campaign will be invited to a special Grand Opening Celebration hosted by Crux Winery. For donations made directly to the Capital Campaign, please list Heidi Adler or Crux Winery as the H0naree, so we know to invite you. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!