Drones, Avoiding the ER and Acai Bowls

👋 Good morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, July 3rd, 2025 and this is the 26th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Happy Independence Day Eve!

Did you know that in the summer of 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed, the population of the nation is estimated to have been about 2.5 million people?

To put that in perspective, the population of Apex right now is 3.4 million.

{pause for sarcastic laughter}

But for real, the population today in Apex is 81,604. And, about 300 million in the US (an 11,900% increase since the Declaration of Independence).

Here’s one more interesting fact for you…

Not a single person who signed the Declaration of Independence was actually born in the United States of America. That’s because, of course, the country didn't exist until they signed the document.

But what's really interesting is that eight of those 56 signers weren't even born in the American colonies—they were born across the Atlantic Ocean in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

It's a trend that continued when the U.S. Constitution was signed a decade later; eight of its signers were immigrants, too. These early arrivals, whether seeking opportunity, fleeing persecution, or simply drawn by the promise of new opportunities, brought a diversity of perspectives, skills, and a tenacious spirit that was absolutely essential to the beginning, and the continued growth of this country.

Miscellaneous:

🏛️ Closed on Friday
In observance of Independence Day, all Town facilities and offices will be closed on Friday. Friday trash/recycling customers will be collected on Saturday.

🚏 Apex Transit Prioritization Study
The Town is working on a study to develop recommendations and set priorities for implementation of future transit services and improvements in the next 0-5 years. View the recommendations here and then share your thoughts with this survey.

💵 New Utility Rates
The Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget was adopted on May 27th, with new rates and fees becoming effective on July 1, 2025. Utility customers will notice a slight increase in most rates and fees for water, sewer, and electric service, as well as solid waste collection.

🍁 Fall Program Registration
Believe it or not, Fall registration for Parks & Rec programs opens up in just 18 days. View the Sept - Dec 2025 Program Guide here.

🗳️ Election Season Begins
Candidates for municipal offices can officially file on Monday and have until July 18 to do so. Apex will have three Town Council seats up for election.

🏀 The League Without Limits
The Journey League is a non-profit organization which organizes an inclusive basketball league for people with disabilities in Apex. Recently, PBS made a documentary about the league and they are hosting a dinner and viewing party on Wednesday, July 9 from 5:30-8pm at the Apex Senior Center. The event is free and open to everyone in the community.

🎨 Curious Creative Kids
Do you have one of these? The Studio in downtown has a few spots left in their kids camp for July 14-18. This camp is perfect for the rising 3-6th graders who are creative and curious about any and every kind of art. Hurry! Register here.
 

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

🇺🇸 Independence Day Celebrations

Today, July 3
Fireworks Frenzy | Hunter Street Park
Kick off July 4th celebrations with an evening of food, games, and a spectacular fireworks display! 

Tentative Schedule:
5-9pm | Food Trucks and Fun
9:00pm | Drone Light Show
9:20pm | Break
9:30pm | Fireworks Show

Those with sensory sensitivities can pick up a sensory bag at the Apex Senior Center beginning at 5pm on July 3rd. There will be a sensory space open from 8-10pm at the Apex Senior Center.

Friday, July 4
Olde Fashioned Fourth of July
Downtown Apex
This long-standing traditional event features games for all ages, inflatables, the Parade of Wheels, and ends with a splash down from the Apex Fire Department!

Schedule of Events:
9am | Flag Raising / Mayor’s Speech
9:15am | Activities Begin
11:30am | Parade of Wheels Line-up
12pm | Parade of Wheels
Upon Parade Completion | Fire Dept. Splash Down

Saturday, July 5

👨‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
8am - 12pm | The Depot

🎹 Mysti Mayhem Band
8pm - 11pm | The Backyard Bar

🎙️ Rudy’s Karaoke
9pm - 11:45pm | Rudy’s Pub & Grill

Monday, July 7

🌯 Spirit Night for Apex Breakers Swim Team
5pm - 9pm | Chipotle Pine Plaza Dr.

Tuesday, July 8

🫐 UPick Blueberries & Blackberries
8am - 12pm | Farrell’s Creek Farm

🐮 Chick-fil-A Peakway Kids Night
5:30pm - 7:30pm | Chick-fil-A Peakway

🌾🚫 Gluten-Free Gang Family-Friendly Group Dinner
5:30pm - 7:30pm | Fratelli’s Deli

🎤 Salem Street Music Club Open Mic
6pm - 9pm | Oaklyn Springs

Wednesday, July 9

🏀 Journey League: Dinner & Viewing Party
5:30pm - 8pm | Apex Senior Center

Local Business

Now Open:

🫐🍌🍓🥝🫐 SoBoL Apex
Acai Bowls, Fruit Smoothies, Waffles & Beyond

📍1451 Richardson Rd, Suite 124

Mon-Thurs & Sunday: 8am-9pm
Friday & Saturday: 8am-10pm

Website | Instagram

Coming Soon:

🍝 Serafina Ristorante
Upscale Italian restaurant opening July 28 where the Peak on Salem used to be (126 N Salem). Looks like they will be open daily from 12pm-10pm. Instagram

🪴 Lichen or Knot Living & Plant Co.
Recently filed a Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC) for 122 N Salem St (previously Gail & Grace Boutique). They currently have an online shop and two physical locations in Virginia. Working on more information to share. Website

🤖 The Forge Initiative
Currently operating in Cary, the Forge Initiative describes itself as, “The Forge Initiative is an Open Innovation Tech Space, where individuals of all ages and backgrounds are empowered to Explore, Learn, and Lead. Guided by our D-ELL mentoring model and best practices, we break down barriers in engineering and technology, fostering self-directed lifelong learners.” They just filed a CZC for 1012 Investment Blvd. Website

🥤 Cook Out
CZC filed for 1001 E Williams St (current location of Skippers Seafood & Smokehouse). More info to come.
 

🔦 Community Spotlight: Greg Gerlach

Last week, I briefly mentioned that I got to meet an Apex resident who was recently selected to do something that only 50 people in the entire country get to do.

And now, I want you to meet him too!

That person is Greg Gerlach, a 10-year disabled Marine Corps veteran and Apex dad who will ride more than 150 miles this October in the Velo Palmetto Challenge, a national cycling event benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

Greg is one of only 50 riders chosen from across the country. He’s aiming to raise $20,000 to support blood cancer research, patient care, and family support.

This mission is personal for Greg. He is an avid blood donor who has donated more than 4 gallons of blood, and his wife Sonia has donated over 30 gallons of breast milk, supporting babies in the NICU, mothers undergoing cancer treatment or who have passed away during childbirth.

🚲️ To follow Greg’s journey or make a donation, Click Here

Civil News:

📬️ New Utility Portal (check your mailbox)
Every utility customer will receive a paper bill in July - even those who are set up on paperless billing. This bill will have your new account number on it which you will need to set up your account in the new portal, MyAccount, which goes live on Monday.

If you have previously been set up with autopay or paperless billing, you will need to re-enroll on the new system. Additional information here.

🆘 Help for West Haven
Over the weekend, Mayor Gilbert held a Community Town Hall where (among other things) concerns were raised about unsafe and unresponsive property management at West Haven Apartments. While the Mayor personally showed up to install AC units for a few families who were without, he says there is still a lot of work to be done and help needed. Read more and offer your assistance here.

🎆 Apex Fire Department Wants to Be Last
Last place in terms of fireworks-related injuries that is. Wake County averages 24 ER visits in July over the past five years due to fireworks-related injuries. See the chart here. Be safe, ok?!

🗓️ Important Upcoming Dates

Wednesday, July 9
Transit Advisory Committee
4pm - 5:30pm | Town Hall

In Case You Missed it:

🥪 Free Meals for Kids This Summer
Wake County is making sure children 18 and under can enjoy healthy food all summer long with no questions asked and no registration required. Available for breakfast and lunch at 16 sites across the county.

🅿️📱 Smart Parking Mobile App
You can now see real-time information about the number of available parking spaces in four of the parking lots within a short walk of downtown. You can download the app on iOS or on Android.

🌻 National Park and Recreation Month
Every July, we celebrate National Park and Recreation Month here in Apex. For 2025, the theme is "Build Together, Play Together," which highlights how together we’re building and maintaining accessible, inclusive and sustainable parks and recreation programs that deliver powerful benefits to our communities.

✨ SparkLab Open House
SparkNC introduces students to high-tech careers like cybersecurity, AI software development and computer systems engineering, all while earning a high school credit. Several Open Houses coming up.

A Look Ahead:

July 12, 2025
Concert Series: Também
7pm - 8:30pm | Nature Park Amphitheater

July 17, 2025
Family Trivia Night
6pm - 8pm | Apex Senior Center

July 19, 2025
Plant/Seed Swap
2pm - 2:45pm | The Peak Church

July 19, 2025
Moana 2 Movie Night
8:45pm - 10:45pm | Nature Park Amphitheater

July 26, 2025
Summer Slam 3v3 Basketball
11am - 3pm | John Brown Community Center

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly.

As always, if you have any ideas of how to make this newsletter better, want to nominate a local business or organization to be featured, or anything else, please respond to this email or email me directly at [email protected]

See you next Thursday... 😘