I Can't Think of A Subject Today

👋 Good morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, October 23, 2025 and this is the 42nd weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

On Saturday morning, you will receive a special edition of The Peak Weekly in your inbox. This will be a short email with a link to a detailed compilation of information on the candidates running for Town Council. If you’re not interested, just delete the email.

I know I said I would include it in today’s newsletter, but it’s been a bit more work to put this together than planned. I’m sorry.

And if you’re new here - this intro isn’t the typical vibe. But it’s election season so we’re getting a little more into the drama than usual. Feel free to skip past this section if not interested and get right into the good stuff. No more election talk after this week 🤝 

To be honest, this candidate research has been a little mentally draining. The intention was just to find out some basic information and organize it nicely. But then, things happen.

For example, just in the past 24 hours, candidate Sue stated she has lived in Apex for 6 years. I do a little research and find out it’s actually 3 years, 11 months.

What do I do with that information? Who cares how long she has lived in Apex? But also… why say 6 when its less than 4? She says she started talking to a realtor 5-6 years ago about Apex so it’s 6. But like…she didn’t live in Apex while talking to the realtor or while waiting on construction of the home. So do I share this information? Ignore it? I honestly don’t know.

Last night, candidate Ed posts a video somewhat mocking other candidates for not knowing that every council meeting’s Meeting Minutes are posted to the website right after the meeting. But then you go to verify his statement using the link that he provides in his video, and find out that they haven’t actually posted any meeting minutes there since August. So… aren’t the candidates that he’s giving a hard time right? Or… it doesn’t matter that he’s sharing information that isn’t entirely correct because it’s not that big of an issue? I feel like it matters, but maybe everyone else things I’m being too picky.

And then for the past couple of weeks, and I’m sure again today, I’ve received a few emails telling me to stop talking about the election altogether. A free newsletter that I have poured hundreds of hours into and thousands of dollars into and then I share some facts about a super important election that will affect all of us and I get hate mail. Like… there’s an unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email. If you don’t like the free local newsletter talking about the local election, just give it a quick tap.

The negative stuff is a very small minority. The positive feedback and love I get far outweighs that, but it’s still not fun to donate your time and money to put something together that a few people here and there give you a hard time for.

I don’t know. Just being transparent. I love doing this newsletter but life was more peaceful when I didn’t pay so much attention. But for now, we’ll keep on pushing forward.

Oh and don’t let me forget that other guy in that slate of 3 candidates that seem to be running together… Shane. Well, Shane… he’s cool people. He’s been nothing but transparent, prepared, thoughtful, honest, and open-minded. The guy loves Apex, has been deeply involved in this town, and actually listens.

This isn’t about politics or party. It’s about representing our Town and our People. It’s about listening. In my experience, Shane does that.

He’s one of my three. I’ll share my reasons and my other 2 in Saturday’s special edition, along with a complete overview of each candidate so that you can make an informed decision on your own.

End rant. Onward…

Miscellaneous:

🗳️ Early Voting in Apex
Early voting by mail or at the Wake County BOE has already begun. But the physical voting site (John M. Brown Community Center) will begin early voting on Saturday, through November 1.
 
🏘️👻 Tour of Frights
The spookiest spots in Apex are ready to welcome you! The Tour of Frights is an annual program that features Apex homes and business with some of the very best Halloween or fall-themed decorations. There are 2 routes you can follow from 6-9pm every night through Oct 31. View the map →

🏹 Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood
Tickets are still available for Middle Creek High School’s Fall Play with showing this evening, tomorrow, and Saturday.

🏢 Elevate 64 West
Signature Property Group announced plans to develop Elevate 64 West, a 392-unit luxury apartment community off Hwy 64 in Western Apex. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026, with the first units opening in May 2027.

🌊 Reducing Flood Risk
$6M was awarded to various cities and counties in central North Carolina intended to help reduce flood risks. The Town of Apex was given the largest individual grant at $1.4 million for a project at the Cape Fear River basin. The project involves restoring approximately four-tenths of a mile of stream channel, planting streambank vegetation, and adding five acre-feet of floodplain water storage along Beaver Creek adjacent to the Apex Nature Park.

🎾 Last Call: Tennis Trackout Camp
As of writing this, there are just a few spots remaining. The Tennis Fall Trackout Camp is Oct 27-30 at Apex Community Park. Enroll here.

🏞️ Apex Partners with Visit Raleigh to Introduce New Wander App
Beaver Creek Greenway and Middle Creek Greenway are now open. If you are interested in exploring these greenways, or any of the other 300 miles of greenways and trails, and over 138,000 acres of open space land, check out Wander Wake County’s web page, or download the app.

𖥂 Sweetwater Grand Opening
Mark your calendar - on Saturday, Nov. 8, Sweetwater Town Center will be hosting a grand opening celebration from 9am until 8:30pm. The event will include fun, food & festivities, ending with a grand finale drone show.

🏆️ 2025 Apex Chamber Awards

During its annual meeting, the Apex Chamber of Commerce presented its 2025 award winners. Congratulations to all of them:

Small Business of the Year: Kat’s Cleaning Services, led by owner Kat Hourani

Large Business of the Year: Economy Exterminators, led by Greg Canning

Ambassador of the Year: Anna Hicks

Citizen of the Year: Nancy Grace

Louis C. Smith Hall of Fame Inductee: Mr. Nicky Winstead

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

Daily Thru Oct 31

🌾 Scarecrow Row 
Park Hours | Apex Community Park

Friday, October 24

🧙‍♀️ Witches Night Out
5pm - 9pm | Salem Street

🐶 Pints & Puppies
5pm - 8pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🌖 Moonlight Market
†6pm - 9pm | South Line Brewing
†Note: the Facebook event says 6-9pm but the graphic shared on their socials says 5-8pm. I’m not sure which is accurate.

Saturday, October 25

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

🏎️ Cars & Coffee: Ferrari’s
8am - 11am | Sweetwater

🎃 Halloween Hoot Family Storytime
10:30am - 11am | Eva Perry Library

🍻 Beer Festival & Vendor Market
1pm - 4pm | Bottle Theory

🎸 Rock the Block
4pm - 6:30pm | Apex Baptist Church

🎶 Acoustic Sole w/Bradley Edge
4:30pm - 8:30pm | Fratelli’s Deli

🧌 Goblin’s Groove
5pm - 7pm | Halle Cultural Arts

👻 Halloween Costume Party 
6pm - 10pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🎤 Live Music w/Neon Lights
8pm - 11pm | Peak of the Vine

Sunday, October 26

🍬 Trunk or Treat
4pm - 5:30pm | Apex UMC

🍭 Trunk or Treat
3:30pm - 5:30pm | Family Church

Wednesday, October 29

👻🐕️ Spooky Tails
5pm - 7pm | Apex Nature Park

🔠 Music Bingo
7:30pm - 9:30pm | Rudy’s Pub & Grill

Local Business Updates

🍋‍🟩🍋 Lime & Lemon Opens Today
The Indian Grill & Bar, Lime & Lemon, opens today. They are located at 2025 Creekside Landing Drive in Beaver Creek Crossing.

🍛 Kaara Modern Indian Restaurant
The new restaurant has been in soft launch this week. Their Grand Opening is this Friday, October 24. They are located at 2700 Stokesdale Ave, Unit 120 in Sweetwater.

🍔 Al’s Burger Shack… Will Open!
The Grand Opening date has moved again. It now shows next Wednesday, 10/29. Located at 2832 Teachey Place on the Harris Teeter side of Sweetwater.

Civil News:

🌐 Data Center Step 1 of 3 Complete
The New Hill Digital Campus rezoning case (aka The Data Center) came before the Environmental Advisory Board last Thursday. They raised some very concerning issues and asked some questions that went unanswered. Nonetheless, it was approved and now moves on to the next phase. It will soon go to the Planning Board and then the Town Council. Dates TBD.

🚲️ Bike Track Project
Hunter Street Park is getting a new amenity: Trackside Bike Park. The Town wants to hear from you on what amenities the new bike park should include. Take the survey here.

👋 How to be a Welcoming Community
On October 23rd, join speaker Danya Perry for an interactive workshop designed to spark ideas and share practical strategies for fostering connection, building trust, and strengthening belonging across Apex. Details here →

👥💬 Community Town Hall
Join local town elected officials for a Community Town Hall on October 23 from 6-7pm at the Apex Electric Operations Center Training Room. This event creates an opportunity for open, informal dialogue and engagement. Details here →

💰 Budget Priorities Survey
The Town is asking you how you would choose to spend $5 million (pretend) dollars across the five strategic goal areas. Complete the survey now through December 1.

🗓️ Upcoming Town Meetings

Today, October 23
CommUniversity
6pm | Senior Center

Today, October 23
Peak Plan 2055 Public Forum 
4:30pm - 6:30pm | Town Hall

Today, October 23
Community Town Hall
6pm -7pm | Electric Ops Center

Tuesday, October 28
Town Council Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, October 29
Parks & Rec Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead

October 30 | 5pm - 8pm
🧟 Halloween Evening Market | Sweetwater
hosted by Apex Farmers Market

November 1 | 9am - 3pm
🛍️ Art & Gift Market | Apex UMC

November 2 | 3pm
🎹 Classical Concert Series | The Halle

November 8 | 9am - 8:30pm
𖥂 Sweetwater Grand Opening | Sweetwater

November 8 | 11am - 1pm
🧺 Eco Picnic Fundraiser | Apex Nature Park

November 11 | 9:30am - 10:30am
🎖️ Veterans Day Ceremony | Downtown

November 15 | 11am - 12pm
🏡 Neighborhood Beautification Grant Info Session | Halle

In Case You Missed it

🚂 Track or Treat & Boo ‘n’ Brew
The final Track or Treat Halloween Express train ride takes place October 25. Enjoy a family-friendly train ride with scenes of flying witches, smoking cauldrons, pumpkin people, Count Dracula and more. On October 24, the signature Boo ‘n’ Brew ride with delicious bites and local brews takes off. Get tickets for both here.

📍 Apex Tourism
The Economic Development department is ramping up tourism efforts, which was a priority set through this year's budget process. Apex will be featured in the state magazine, Our State, in the Tarheel Towns section and in the magazine's reels in May and June of 2026 as part of the town's first statewide tourism marketing effort.

🚗💥🚙 Civilian Crash Investigators
You may notice some new gray uniforms and black vehicles with green decals around town. They’re part of the Apex Police Department’s new Civilian Crash Investigator program. These trained professionals handle non-injury crashes, parking issues, and traffic incidents, freeing up sworn officers to focus on emergencies and high-priority calls. Learn more here →

🛣️ Salem Streetscape Update
The property/easement acquisition is almost complete meaning the bidding phase will begin. Expectation is to award the bid and start construction in January. Adopted design highlights and new concept imagery has been added here.

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... 😘