🌳 🪑 Jean, Trees, A New Chair, and 80 Emails

👋 Good Morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, July 16, 2026 and this is the 80th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

When I first started this newsletter in January 2025, I thought I’d maybe do a few issues and that would be it. That’s how most of my side projects go. The ADHD runs strong in me and I usually get distracted quickly towards the next shiny object.

But here we are, 80 weeks later. Still focused! I’m proud of myself lol. And also extremely grateful to all of you who support The Peak Weekly and extremely humbled by all of the people who have gone out and explored new places and activities all because of this newsletter. It’s very cool.

And, I want to sincerely thank each and every one of you who have donated your hard-earned money to The Peak Weekly via the Buy Me A Coffee link.

I also want to be transparent. I have bought a few coffees with those donations. And, it has helped mitigate some of the fees that go into running this newsletter (web hosting, Beehiiv subscription, etc).

But in addition to that, I have been able to support/sponsor the Apex Farmer’s Market, the Apex Juneteenth Festival, and most recently, Trees for the Triangle.

I show you this just so you know I’m not pulling your leg, but also to thank you for making it possible for me to support these great organizations. This isn’t a “me” donation. This is an “us” donation.

I also show it to draw some attention to Trees for the Triangle and their 2026 Triangle Environmental Symposium.

A countywide assessment conducted in 2023 showed that Apex sustained significant losses in its tree canopy from 2010-2020 (15%) and this organization is working hard to fix that.

🌳 The Triangle Environmental Symposium is a four-part speaker series featuring lively musical performances, engaging speakers, and community conversations on environmental stewardship. The event dates are August 27, September 3, September 10, and September 17.

You can learn about the speakers and details for each of the dates here.

🔗 Links to purchase tickets are listed next to each of the dates. Tickets start at just $5. Or, you can sponsor the Symposium.

OR, you can buy me a coffee and I’ll continue to pay it forward when I’m able to :)

Miscellaneous Info:

🍂 Fall Program Registration
Fall Program registration begins 9am Monday morning for residents. Fall Program Guide | Fall Senior Program Guide | Registration Link

🛡️ Numbers 4 Hope Bingo Benefit
One week from today, local anti-trafficking nonprofit, Shield NC, is hosting a Bingo Benefit at the Apex Senior Center. The doors will open at 5:30 and the first game will begin promptly at 6:00. Most prizes are worth $50 with many valued over $100! All proceeds go towards helping to end human trafficking in our communities.

🚧 Apex Senior Center - Temporary Closure
I’ll remind you again in a month when it’s closer, but heads up in advance: the Apex Senior Center will be temporarily closed August 18–September 7, 2026 for a facility-wide flooring renovation project and is scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, September 8. During this time, the building will be closed to the public, and all programs, classes, events, and rentals at the Senior Center will be cancelled.

💼 Need a New Job?
Town of Apex currently has 19 positions open including Fire Training Coordinator, Engineering Plan Reviewer, Billing & Collections Specialist, Utility Maintenance Supervisor, Police Officer, Street Maintenance Work and more. View current openings here (I’m thinking about putting my hat in the ring for the Town Attorney position 😜)

🚧 Tabacco Trail to Close for Repairs
A portion of the American Tobacco Trail will close next month while crews repair damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Beginning Aug. 1, the trail will be closed in the Apex area from the Wimberly Road parking area to the entrance of the White Oak Creek Greenway. Construction is expected to be complete by Oct. 31.

🐶 The Animal Shelter is FULL
In just the first 9 days of July, the Wake County Animal Center had taken in 226 animals. That’s 25 PER DAY. As of last week (most current data I have), the shelter, along with their generous fosters, were up to 653 animals in their care. Adoption fees are reduced right now, so it’s a great time to adopt if you’ve ever considered it. View the adoption gallery. If you’re not in the position to adopt, and have pets, getting them spayed or neutered would be a great idea.

🎟️ Get Your Tickets

There are several ticketed events upcoming. Here’s your chance to beat the rush:

Family Trivia Night
6-8pm | Apex Senior Center
August 13 | Tickets are $10 here 

Murder Mystery Dinner: Death by Disco
6pm | Halle Cultural Arts
August 20 | Tickets are $44 here 

Laila Biali ft. Christian Tamburr
7:30pm | Halle Cultural Arts
August 21 | Tickets are $40 here

Neon Nights - Silent Disco
6-8pm | Halle Cultural Arts
August 28 | Tickets are $10 here 

Things to Do This Weekend in Apex:

Friday, July 17

🤾‍♀️ Pickleball Palooza
4pm - 8pm | Apex Nature Park

🏎️ Ladies Night with LIVE Music
7pm - 9pm | Apex Racing Lab

Saturday, July 18

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

🏃‍♀️ Run Club Apex
Meet at 9am | Foxtail Coffee

👩‍🌾 Garden Work Day
9am - 12pm | Simple Gifts Community Garden

🛝 Kidstowne Playground Project Open House
9am - 1pm | Kelly Road Park

🎨 SuperFun Saturday (ages 4-12)
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle

🎸 Live Music: Center Street Band
7pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

🎸 Live Music: Vibe after Nine
8pm | Peak of the Vine

Sunday, July 19

☕️ Momcology in-Person Coffee Break
10:30am - 12pm | Turkish Coffee Lady

🪕 Burgers, Banjos & Brews: George & Joe
1pm - 4pm | Salem Street Pub

🪴 Apex Plant/Seed Swap
2pm - 3pm | The Peak Church

Local Business Updates

☕️ 🎵 Mochas, Munchkins & Music
Coming up on July 28 from 9:30am - 10:30am at The Mocha Room, sponsored by Amie’s Academy, is a fun-filled morning for munchkins and their grown-ups. There will be coffee for the grown-ups, interactive music activities for the little ones (age appropriate songs and movement for ages 3-7), and fun for everyone.

Event details here. And link to register here. (Fill out the form on Amie’s Academy and put “munchkins” and the number of kids attending in the comment box)

🪣 The Rusty Bucket Retirement Celebration

The Rusty Bucket is taking steps to close the shop with a Retirement Closing Sale. All inventory* at The Rusty Bucket is 30% off. (*1803 Candles not included in sale pricing).

Open at Neighborboy Farm Fridays and Saturdays 11am-3pm. 1008 Davis Drive Apex.

🦆 Downtown Apex
A couple of quick reminders. Alleyway Bookstore will be closed for good on August 15. You have one month left! Joyfully House is now open at 118 N Salem. And your new favorite bakery is now open at 101 N Salem.

Mrs. Weekly and I stopped in and grabbed some coffee and muffins. 10/10. Like I said last week, easy parking and easy to get around too!

Note: I’m working on wrapping up a new interactive tool to explore new places and activities around town, as shared by the community. Tune in next week for that!

🚜 The Peak Weekly Farm Series

🎃 Jean’s Neighborhood Market

This article was written by The Peak Weekly’s amazing content contributor, Susan McGrath

Jean’s Neighborhood Market, a locally owned and operated family business in Apex, NC, is a must-visit spot if you’ve never been and a great all-around neighborhood market.

What started in 1980 as Jean's Berry Patch, a seasonal pick-your-own strawberry patch, has grown into a year-round marketplace offering fresh local produce, homemade breads and ice cream, jams, jellies, honey, North Carolina–themed products, unique gift items, and so much more.

Jean’s is known for their strawberry season, when they offer fresh and locally grown strawberries. Also on the property is Ragan & Holly’s Pumpkin Patch, named after their granddaughters. While strawberry season has come to an end for this year, make sure to pay them a visit this fall for fresh pumpkins and other fall-themed products. Christmas season is another great time to visit the market to shop for holiday decorations and more. You never know what you’ll find—maybe a choir singing and Miss Jean herself serving up hot chocolate and mini donuts! Follow the market on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date on their many offerings and special occasion events. 

You’ll also find lots of food products at Jean’s Neighborhood Market, including locally prepared frozen meals from Ladyfingers, take-and-bake pizzas from Salvio’s, local meat from Boop Nose Farms and others, local honey from West Orange Farms, homemade popsicles from Raleigh, and lots of fresh local produce. They also have jams, jellies, pickled vegetables, honey, and lots of other jarred products, as well as pantry items and snacks.

If you’re looking for a unique gift, Jean’s is the perfect place to visit. Browse through bath and body products, jigsaw puzzles, nostalgic candy and toys, apparel, coffee, coffee mugs, candles, decorative pillows, jewelry, North Carolina–themed products, products for every holiday, and so much more.

Some of the brands they carry include Inis Energy of the Sea scents, Bridgewater Candles, Drinks on Me, Evergreen, Piedmont Pennies, Geometry, Old School, Mudpie, Old Whaling Co., Scout, Waxing Poetic, and more.

There is so much to see at Jean’s Neighborhood Market, so stop by soon and shop local! 

Jean’s Neighborhood Market
38 Lewter Shop Road 
Apex, NC 27523 

(919) 362-5800
https://www.jeansberrypatch.com

Civic News:

🪑 Chair of the NC Metropolitan Mayors Coalition
If you scrolled past the announcement that Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert has been elected Chair of the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition (NCMMC) this past week thinking it was just another standard, ceremonial political update, let’s stop you right there. This is a massive deal for our town.

What is it: The NCMMC is a nonpartisan, mayor-driven organization representing the state's large and mid-sized cities. The Coalition represents 33 of the largest, most economically powerful municipalities in North Carolina (including heavyweights like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Wilmington) to advocate for key issues at the state level.

Why Apex cares: As we continue to navigate our explosive growth, we aren't just reacting to state-level infrastructure, transit, and funding decisions anymore. We now have a direct seat at the head of the table. When the Coalition goes to lobby Raleigh and Washington, D.C., for major community-strengthening resources, the guy holding the megaphone is representing the Peak of Good Living.

The Mayor’s statement: Mayor Gilbert’s statement, in part, reads: “My focus has always been, and will continue to be, ensuring that every community member has the opportunity to thrive. It is also a tremendous honor to represent the Town of Apex on the state level. I carry our community with great pride, and I look forward to working alongside municipal leaders from across North Carolina to help build an even stronger future for our state. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey. I am grateful for the trust placed in me, and I remain committed to serving with humility, collaboration, and purpose.”

Mayor Gilbert’s Full Statement | Town of Apex Press Release

The Peak Weekly’s statement: To get a room full of 33 politicians - representing wildly different regions, political parties, and local agendas - to unanimously agree on one leader? That is a massive, flashing-neon sign of confidence in our mayor's leadership. When my wife and I decided to move to the Triangle-area from Indiana, we ultimately chose Apex largely because of the Mayor. And five-ish years later, we are just as impressed and continue to be grateful for all that he does. And if you didn’t know, on top of being Apex’s Mayor, and the Chair of NCMMC, Mayor Gilbert serves as a Commissioner on the North Carolina Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and as Chair of the Apex Town Council’s Public Safety Committee. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy's 220th Session. And, if you’re lucky, you can catch him some evenings training for the Apex half marathon, running down Apex Peakway shirtless 😅 

Upcoming Meetings:

Friday, July 17
Multimodal Transportation Advisory Board
3pm - 5pm | Mason Street Municipal Building

Saturday, July 18
Ask Me Anything w/Town Manager Vosburg
11am - 1pm | Eva Perry Library

Tuesday, July 21
Board of Adjustment Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

July 23
Numbers 4 Hope Bingo Benefit | Apex Senior Center

July 24
Afternoon in the Garden | Apex Nature Park

July 24
Moth Night | Apex Nature Park

July 25
Meadow Melody Makers | Kelly Road Park

July 28
Mochas, Munchkins and Music | The Mocha Room

July 31
Splash Blash | Pleasant Park

August 1
Rhythm & Reels: Tre. Charles | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 8
Rhythm & Reels: The Bad Guys 2 | Nature Park Amphitheatre

August 13
Family Trivia Night | Apex Senior Center

August 15
Rhythm & Reels: Emma Rae | Nature Park Amphitheatre

In Case You Missed it:

🖼️ An Artist Retrospective
This historic retrospective celebrates Susan Parrish’s restless creativity, material ingenuity, and deep engagement with the environment and human experience, revealing a singular voice in North Carolina’s contemporary art scene. The how runs through August 30 at the Halle Cultural Arts Center.

🏞️ Passport to the Parks
Now through August 17, get outside and explore Apex with the free Passport to the Parks adventure! Pick up a passport booklet at the John M. Brown Community Center or print one via the link, then visit all eight featured parks to solve clues and riddles along the way. Bring your completed answers back to JMBCC to collect a sticker for each park. Once you've collected all eight stickers, you'll earn an exclusive Apex Explorers patch and a commemorative Apex parks map print (while supplies last).

🚀 Launch Apex Applications
Are you interested in free business training, mentorship, and networking? LaunchAPEX may be the program for you! Applications close once 50 applicants are received, or on July 17. Apply here.

A Final Note:

Thank you for taking time out of your day today to read this week’s edition of The Peak Weekly. If you love it, please forward it to a friend. If you don’t love it, please unsubscribe.

And, 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... 😘