A kids gym where nobody has to say they’re sorry

JEFF WEISINGER

Erika Buxton knows the phrase “I’m sorry” all too well, especially as the mother of a son who is neurodivergent.

“I remember from when my son was little, I would take him someplace, he would have a meltdown, and I would be apologizing,” she said. “Apologizing all over myself, because nobody understood what was going on.”

Buxton is the new franchisee owner of the incoming “We Rock the Spectrum” gym on 2755 Lone Tree Way in Antioch, a gym designed specifically for neurodivergent kids.

“It’s designed purposefully not to be overwhelming,” Buxton said. “We’ve addressed the acoustics in the building and we’re changing out the light fixtures that are LED so you don’t get that buzzy sound that you get from fluorescent lights, which drives a lot of neurodivergent kids crazy.”

“We Rock the Spectrum” gyms include a zip line, zip box with a slide, a crash pit, climbing structures, a tunnel, a trampoline, a few swings, swivel rotators, and a rope bridge. It offers open play daily for parents to bring their kids to use the playground, along with a respite and breaktime service and one-to-one attendance care designed to provide a break for families who have children with special needs and the indoor playground can be used for special events and birthday parties.

“When (her son) was little, there was really no place to take him because everything overstimulated him,” Buxton said. “There were too many kids, it was too loud. It wasn’t a safe environment for him. I want to give the community what I wish I had when he was little: equipment specifically designed to help kids regulate themselves emotionally.”

The franchise was founded in 2009 by Dina Kimmel, whose son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. She installed occupational therapy equipment in her home that her son used daily, which helped him with his sensory processing disorder. From this, she opened the first actual “We Rock the Spectrum” gym a year later in Tarzana, in 2010. The franchise now has 30 locations across nine states in the last five years. The Antioch location is also the first in Northern California, with the rest of the California gyms located around Los Angeles, according to their website.

The franchise comes with a saying: “finally a place where you never have to say ‘I’m sorry.’” Buxton takes refuge in that statement considering her past experience and aims to project that when she plans to open her location in Antioch next month.

“Parents just don’t need to be embarrassed if their kid is having a sensory need,” she said. “There’s a calm place where they can go and help themselves and the parents can help them calm down.

“It’s just a place where families can come and have a joyful experience and the kids can learn, thrive, and grow.”

The gym provides more than just a place for neurodivergent kids to play. It will also provide programs for both the parents, kids, and even both to help everyone in dealing with their specific diagnosis and learning more about it. Buxton plans to create parent support groups and have educational speakers come in to share their experiences to help families who are new to dealing with a child who is neurodivergent.

“When I had my son, I didn’t even know what I didn’t know,” Buxton said. “There’s so much information out there now, but sometimes it can be hard to find exactly what’s going to work for your child.”

“The more comfortable the parents feel, the better they’re going to be able to parent their children.”

Buxton has not confirmed any pricing for the venue.

For more information, visit http:// www.werockthespectrumantioch. com or on all social media platforms at “WRTSAntioch.”

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This Week’s Events

Friday, May 5

City of Oakley Concerts in the Park

The city of Oakley is featuring concerts in the park in May in partnership with their Friday Night Bites event from 5-9 p.m. in Civic Center Plaza at 3231 Main St. The band featured is The Real Thang Band. For more information about the concert, contact Alicia at (925) 625-7044 or email: oleary@ ci.oakley.ca.us.

Saturday, May 6

Oakley Senior Center Car Show

The Oakley Senior Center is hosting their annual car show at 215 Second St. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event showcases antique and collector’s cars, trucks and motorcycles. Ribbons and awards will be given for Best of Show. For more information and to register, call 925-626-7223.

Sunday, May 7

Brentwood Literary Stroll

The Friends of the Brentwood Library is hosting a literary stroll from 1-4 p.m. in downtown Brentwood. The event features several authors from different restaurants and businesses throughout downtown. Check-in tables will be at the corner of First and Chestnut streets and on the corner of Second and Oak streets. Tickets are $5, and can be purchased at https://bit. ly/3MPH9GR.

Tuesday, May 9

4th Annual East Bay Business Expo and Job Fair

The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce and the city of Brentwood are hosting their annual East Bay Business Expo and Job Fair at the Brentwood Community Center at 35 Oak St. The free event starts at 4 p.m. and will feature raffles, giveaways, free food and a wine tasting. For more information, call (925) 634-3344 or go to https://bit.ly/40CIJz4.

Wednesday, May 10

Senior Health and Wellness Expo

Cogir of Brentwood at 150 Cortona Way and the Laura Nelson Real Estate Team is hosting a health and wellness expo for seniors from 10 a.m.-noon. The expo will include informational resources from Suncrest Hospice, which will provide blood pressure checks, Med Solutions, who will provide walker and wheelchair checks, the Brentwood Police Department, Bass Medical, The Contra Costa Hearing Aid Center, The Key Hom Care, Kaleidoscope, Family Matters and Accent care Home Health. The event will feature giveaways and snacks. For more information, contact Edrienne Baebler at ebaebler@cogirusa.com or (619) 339-3474.

Thursday, May 11

2nd Annual Whiskey Walk

The Rotary Club of Brentwood is hosting their annual Whiskey Walk at De Luna Ranch at 7540 Balfour Road from 6-8 p.m. The event will feature a variety of whiskey tastings, including some from local distilleries, along with music, food, and raffle and door prizes. All proceeds from this event will go to support scholarships in local schools. Tickets are $70 and include five tastings. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/40CJHvc.

Friday, May 12 Mamapalooza

The Downtown Brentwood Coalition and the Tracy Nelson Team are hosting the Mother’s Day- inspired event Mamapalooza in downtown Brentwood from 6-9 p.m. The event will feature live music, photo opportunities, giveaways and raffles, and will have 17 participating stops. Tickets are $10. For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://bit.ly/3GPp1cl

On the Horizon

Saturday, May 13

Rotary Club of Oakley

Foundation Gala 2023

The Rotary Club of Oakley is hosting their fourth annual gala at La Grande Estates at 1799 Carpenter Road from 5:30-10 p.m. The theme for this year’s gala is “An Evening Under the Stars.” The event will feature entertainment by DJ Brandon, raffles –silent and live – and dessert auction, along with a door prize. Tickets are $65 that includes dinner and dancing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/3KrKsmc

Denim & Diamonds:

2nd Annual Ladies Luncheon

Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church is hosting their annual ladies luncheon to benefit The Gabriel Project at St. Anthony Parish’s Padua Hall at 971 O’Hara Ave. from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The event will include a raffle, games and a contest for the best themed attire. The cost is $20 per person. For more information and to reserve a spot, contact Patty Loosli at (925) 348-6064 or Pattyfuloosli59@ comcast.com

Rivertown Wine Walk & Artisan Faire

The Celebrate Antioch Foundation is hosting a wine walk and artisan faire on G Street in downtown Antioch from noon-4 p.m. The event will feature live music from Project 4 Band, over 40 vendors and wine samples from 12 local wineries. Wine Walk tickets are $20 and $25 at the event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3NtqYj2.

Dillon Rundall Memorial Run

Dillon’s Dreams is hosting the inaugural memorial one-mile run at Antioch Community Park at 801 James Donlon Blvd. at 9 a.m. Proceeds go to help families affected by childhood cancer. Registration is $20. For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3LJZtQV.

Saturday, May 20

Los Vaqueros Reservoir

25th Anniversary Open House

The Contra Costa Water District is hosting a free open house for the Los Vaqueros Reservoir’s 25th anniversary from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Los Vaqueros Interpretive Center at 19 Walnut Blvd. The event will feature information on how Los Vaqueros operates, a shuttle trip to the top of the Los Vaqueros Dam, a nature hike, an augmented reality sandbox along with other family-friendly activities. For more information and to reserve a spot, visit http://bit.ly/3JYSp0E

Annual Kustoms and Klassics Car Show

The Discovery Bay Community Foundation is hosting their annual Kustoms and Klassics car show at the Marina Bar & Grill at 5879 Marina Road from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Special guest will be Erik Estrada, best known from the TV series CHIPs. Car show entry is $35. For more information and to register for the event, visit http://bit.ly/3zNcClt

Monday, May 22

Rotary Club of Brentwood Golf Tournament

The Rotary Club of Brentwood is hosting a golf tournament, sponsored by Shea Homes, at Discovery Bay Country Club at 1475 Clubhouse Drive. Registration and driving range practice begins at 9 a.m., with a putting contest at 9:30 a.m. The tournament will have a shotgun start at 11 a.m. The tournament will also feature awards for Closest to the Pin, Cash Hole in One, Wheel of Fortune Hole in One, A hole in one opportunity to win a car, Beat the Pro and Most Accurate Drive. The event will also have lunch and provided, raffle prizes, cocktails and dinner. Entree fees for individual golfers is $175, and registration ends May 5. For more information call (925) 642-4925 or email rob@billbrandtford.com. To enter fill out the entry form found at https://bit.ly/3oZuqrv and send the entry form to Rotary Club of Brentwood, PO BOX 325 Brentwood, CA 94513.

Friday, May 26

Shavout: Ice Cream Party & Dairy Buffet

The Chabad of the Delta is hosting a community Shavout event at 1062 Somersby Way. The free event starts at 5 p.m. and will feature a reading of the Ten Commandments, a special program and prizes for children and a dairy buffet. For more information and to RSVP visit https://bit.ly/3nn4jdC.

Ongoing Events

Brentwood Community Chorus Rehearsals

The Brentwood Community Chorus meets on Tuesdays from 7- 9 p.m. at Brentwood Community United Methodist Church on 809 Second St. It is open to all ages and abilities as they prepare for their spring season concert on June 4 at 35 Oak St. in Brentwood. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3HuqYvi

East County Lions Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Lions Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Straw Hat Pizza on Lone Tree Way. For more information, visit: https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/ Oakley: The Oakley Lions Club meets the fourth Wednesdays of every month at 7 p.m. at the Oakley Senior Center, for more information, visit https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/

Antioch: The Antioch Lions Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Denny’s on Delta Fair Blvd. Discovery Bay: The Discovery Bay Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club. For more information, visit:https:// discoverybaylions.com/who-we-are/meetings/ Byron: The Byron Delta Lions Club meets every first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church for more information https://e-clubhouse. org/sites/byron_delta/

East County 4-H Club Meetings

Oakley: The Oakley 4-H Club has monthly meetings the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. For more information, email Amanda at oakley@contracosta.org. The Delta-Diablo 4-H Club has monthly meetings the second Thursday at 6:30 p.m at 3840 Brown Road in Oakley. For more information contact Megan and Tiffany at deltadiablo@ contracosta4h.org Brentwood: The Brentwood 4-H Club has monthly meetings the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m at the Knightsen Farm Center located on 3020 2nd Street. For more information, contact Angela at brentwood@ contracosta4h.org Knightsen: The Knightsen 4-H Club has monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m at Knightsen Elementary School located at 1923 Delta Road. 4-H members are girls and boys ages 5–19 years old.

Delta Informal Gardeners

Monthly Meetings

Delta Informal Gardeners encourages local residents to join them at their local meeting at the Brentwood Community United Methodist Church at 809 Second St. on the fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

East County Veteran Meetings

Brentwood: The American Legion Post 202 monthly meeting (on the second Wednesday of the month) is held at 6:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building at 757 First St. in Brentwood. The meeting is open to all U.S. Armed Services veterans. The organization encourages all veterans in East County to come and see what is available to them. For more information, visit https://www. aml202.org Oakley: The Veterans of Oakley monthly meeting (on the first Wednesday of each month) is held at 5:30 p.m. at the Oakley Senior Center on 215 2nd Street. For more information call 925-783-0818 or visit http:// bit.ly/3mugBjv

Oakley Senior Center Food Distribution

The Oakley Senior Center at 215 2nd St. gives out free food every Thursday from 1-2:30 p.m. Residents are asked to bring their own grocery bags.

East County Rotary Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Rotary Club meets weekly on Monday at noon at the Wedgewood Banquet Center at 100 Summerset Drive in Brentwood. For more information, visit https:// www.brentwoodrotary94513.com Oakley: The Oakley Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at Black Bear Diner, 3201 Main St. in Oakley. For more information, visit http://rotaryclubofoakley.com Antioch: The Antioch Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at noon at Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road in Antioch. For more information, visit http://www.antiochrotaryclub.com/. The Rotary Club of the Delta meets weekly on Wednesday at 7 a.m. at Denny’s, 4823 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. For more information, visit https://www.rotaryclubofthedelta.org/.

Applications accepted for Administrative Careers Training

The nonprofit Opportunity Junction is accepting applications for its administrative careers training program. Classes are taught via Zoom. The intensive training is 12 weeks, followed by up to four months of paid internship. Participants will learn life and business skills, and can earn their Microsoft Office Skills certificate. For more information, visit https://www.opportunityjunction.org/program-application

ACA Women’s Group

The ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics) Women’s Group meets every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at 809 Second St. in Brentwood. For more information, contact Cici at 530-306-7034.

Widow and Widower Grief Support Group

A widow and widower grief support group from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church meets every Thursday from 5 to 6:15 p.m. at the church library at 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. The group focuses on finding a new normal as attendees walk the grief trail with others experiencing the same loss. For more information, contact Mary Ann Smith at 925-240-1706 or Sandy Heinisch at 925-513-3412.

Free ESL Classes

The nonprofit organization Opportunity Junction hosts free online English as a Second Language courses online through Zoom on Mondays and Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. or 7:30-9 p.m. The classes are intended to help attendees learn to speak, write and read in English or improve their English. For more information, call 925-776-1133. To apply, visit https://sforce.co/3KdEfac.

Coffee with Carolyn

Kaleidoscope Cancer Connection’s Coffee with Carolyn is a cancer support group for women, hosted by Carolyn George and financially supported by The Kaleidoscope Cancer Connection of Byron. The group meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month from noon to 1 p.m. The location is at the Kaleidoscope Sacred Garden behind the Byron United Methodist Church (14671 Byron Highway in Byron). For more information, contact Carolyn George at 925-577-3325.

Friday Night Al-Anon Meeting

Al-Anon meetings, which offer a supportive place for friends and families of alcoholics, are held every Friday from 8 to 9:15 p.m. at the Brentwood United Methodist Church at 809 Second St. in Brentwood. There is no need to register. For details, call Trisha at 510-910-1389.