Milliseconds & Try Something New

👋 Good morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, July 10th, 2025 and this is the 27th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

I read that yesterday was one of the shortest days in recorded history. Something about the moon’s position (and other things I don’t understand) that caused the earth to rotate faster, thus completing its full day’s revolution about 1.3 milliseconds faster than normal.

Obviously that is a very minuscule amount of time that nobody would ever notice. But it got me thinking… what can happen in those 1.3 milliseconds that we lost yesterday?

Imagine a car cruising down the highway at 60mph. That’s equivalent to 26.82 meters per second. In 1.3 milliseconds, the car would travel 0.034866 meters, or about 3.49 centimeters. That's roughly the width of a standard golf ball.

Light travels at approximately 299,792,458 meters per second in a vacuum. So in 1.3 milliseconds, light travels 389,730 meters. That's about 242 miles. So, in 1.3 milliseconds, light can travel from Apex to Washington DC.

A mosquito beats its wings around 700 times per second. That means one complete wing beat takes 0.001428 seconds, or about 1.428 ms. So, 1.3 milliseconds is almost exactly the time it takes for a mosquito to complete one full up-and-down stroke of its wings!

Now that we have put milliseconds into perspective, I have a favor to ask of you.

Every now and then I like to check in with all of you to get your feedback on this weekly newsletter so that I can continue to make it better and better. I have done a couple of surveys in the past and they have always been really helpful.

Can you spare about 120,000 milliseconds to answer a few anonymous questions to help make this email even better? Click here to take the brief survey.

Miscellaneous:

⛈️ Flooding in NC: How to Help
Chantal brought heavy rain and intense flooding to central NC on Sunday, heavily impacting areas in Alamance, Orange, Durham and Chatham counties. Homes and businesses were flooded and badly damaged. People needed to quickly evacuate, and there have been five confirmed deaths. If you are able to, you can help by make a donation and/or view supply dropoff locations at Operation Providing Hope.

☢️ What if it was Real?
Yesterday was the quarterly Harris Plant siren test. We’re all pretty used to that by now. But… have you ever wondered what you should do if the sirens went off and it was an actual emergency? The short answer is: don’t panic and turn on your TV or radio for more information. The longer answer and FAQs can be read here.

🏥 Children’s Hospital Coming to Apex
A partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health is finalizing a deal to buy at least 200 acres in Apex — a critical step in its plans to build the state’s first standalone children’s hospital.

🏘️ Affordable Housing Townhomes
Raleigh Area Land Trust (RALT) is moving forward with plans to acquire 12 townhomes in Apex. This project will expand the availability of affordable housing. RALT’s mission is to keep home ownership affordable in Wake County by offering Shared Equity Homeownership opportunities using the Community Land Trust model. More info here.

🍁 Fall Program Registration
Fall registration for Parks & Rec programs opens up in just 11 days. View the Sept - Dec 2025 Program Guide here.

🌊 Splashlantis Reopens
The Pleasant Park Splashpad reopened yesterday.

💼 LaunchApex Application Deadline
LaunchApex is looking to partner with current small business owners (brick and mortar & home businesses) who would benefit from the combination of business and financial resources that LaunchAPEX provides. Entrepreneurs with great new business ideas will also be considered. If interested, apply by July 15.

🌴 What Kind of Trees Do You Want?
Help plan for the upcoming annual 'Plant the Peak' program by taking this survey and sharing your top three preferred tree species.

 ✈️ Controversial Parking Now Open at RDU
On one hand, there are more parking spots at RDU with three new sections of RDU's Park Economy 3 now open. On the other hand, this was built on land that the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS) identified as critical for preservation in 2011 due to the presence of important creeks and watersheds.

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

Friday, July 11

👚 Mabopane Marketplace
7am - 12pm | 3913 US Hwy 64W 

Saturday, July 12

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

👕 Mabopane Marketplace
10am - 1pm | 3913 US Hwy 64W 

🎸 Rhythm & Reels Concert: Também
7pm - 8:30pm | Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre

📼 Back to the 80s Party 
8pm | Oaklyn Springs Brewery

Sunday, July 13

🍜 Pasta + Pints Workshop
2pm - 4pm | Southern Peak Brewery

🐶 Barks & Brews
2pm - 4pm | Oaklyn Springs

Monday, July 14

🏃 Monday Runday
(every Monday)
6pm | Peakway Taps

🦈 Kids Deep Sea Creatures Art Camp
(starts Monday, thru Friday)
9am - 1pm | Wine & Design

Wednesday, July 16

🎬️ Morning Movie: Snow White
10am - 12pm | The Halle

Things to Do Nearby:

Peach-A-Palooza
Friday, July 11 - Sunday, July 13
Glass Jug Beer Lab (Durham)

The Night Market
Friday, July 11 | 5pm - 8pm
Leslie-Alford-Mims House (Holly Springs)

Children’s Good News Spectacular
Saturday, July 12 | 10am - 3pm
Jim Graham Building (Raleigh Fairgrounds)

Pirate’s Day: July Family Fun Day
Saturday, July 12 | 11am - 2pm
City of Raleigh Museum

Local Business

🥋 Kim’s Yong-In Martial Arts Now Open
The martial arts school with Kukkiwon-certified, master-level instructors is now open in Sweetwater, providing world-class Tae Kwon Do training for all ages starting at 3 years old and up. Visit their website or check out Instagram.

✂️ Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Today
At Noon today, the Apex Chamber will be hosting a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Bless Your Heart Boutique in Sweetwater.

🍝 Serafina Ristorante Job Fair Today
The new upscale italian restaurant is expected to open on July 28 according to their website. Today, from 12pm - 4pm, they will be conducting open interviews.

🧋 Chun Yang Soft Opening Tomorrow
Bubble Tea shop, Chun Yang, is located in Sweetwater at 2828 Teachey Place. Their soft opening is tomorrow, Friday July 11 from 11:30am until 9pm. View the announcement here.

💆 Black Diamond Chiropractic and Sports Performance
The new state-of-the-art facility is prepping for its Grand Opening in Sweetwater later this month. Exact date TBD but I will keep you posted!

🌳 Go Shopping at Apex Dollar Tree
Did you know that, based on recent reports, a typical Dollar Tree store in North Carolina can generate about $116,000 a year in sales tax revenue? Apparently, it can also generate 7.3M views on Tiktok (IYKYK). See where I stole that tax revenue fact from and then go on a shop-along with the Mayor here.

🎈 1-Year Anniversary at Backyard Bar
The Backyard Bar is celebrating their first birthday next Friday (the 18th, not tomorrow). The Stone Age Romeos will perform from their massive set list that jumps from Neil Diamond to Dr. Dre, Guns N’ Roses to Jason Mraz — and even a splash of Tim McGraw. Full event info here.

🕵️ Perfect Scores
Over the past month, 30 local restaurants have had their county public health inspections and four of them scored a perfect 100/100. So let’s shout them out:

• McDonald’s (Hwy 64)

• Doherty’s Irish Pub

• Sushi Suyu

• Mama Mia Italian Bistro
  

Try Something New

Seafood Kakiage
🐟️ Sora Sushi and Ramen
A crispy delight featuring sushi-grade tuna, salmon, and white fish lightly fried, served with a mixed spicy seafood dressing. See it here.

Cajun Dry Rub Wings
🐔 Apex Wings
The new flavor of the month. This house-made Cajun Dry Rub is bold, smoky, and packed with flavor. See it here.

Butterfly or Ginger Peach Iced Teas
🥤 Common Grounds Coffee House
Sometimes you need to be a little fruity and a little sweet. Try the new Butterfly or Ginger Peach iced teas served with a splash of lemonade for just $4. See it here.

Cheddar Jalapeño Bratwurst
🌭 JD’s Tavern
Served on a toasted sub roll and topped with grilled peppers and onions then drizzled with pub mustard on top. Your choice of a side for just $12.95. Pairs nicely with an Uncle Sam’s Lemonade. See it all here.

Chicken “Scarp”ardelle
🍋 Mezza Luna Pizzeria
More than just really good pizza here! This dish is shicken and sausage in a lemon white wine sauce with garlic and rosemary served over pappardelle pasta. And for dessert? Limoncello Tiramisu! Limoncello soaked ladyfingers layered with lemon infused mascarpone whipped cream with real lemon zest. See it all here.

Civil News:

🏞️ Nature Park Bridge Closure
The bridge that connects the two sides of Apex Nature Park will be closed to all public access for necessary repairs during the week of July 7th through July 11th, 2025.

🚰 Utility Updates
The new utility billing portal, MyAccount, is now live. Watch for your July bill in the mail with your new account number so you can register in the new portal. Also, you have until July 31 to request your bill recalculation.

🚲️ Hunter Street Bike Park
Are you a cycling enthusiast? The Town needs your help as they begin the design process for the new pump track and mountain bike skill training track at Hunter Street Park. If you’d like to participate in the planning effort, send an email to [email protected]. More info here.

👮 APD Community Police Academy
The annual Community Police Academy starts September 4. If you are interested in learning more about our the police department and the law enforcement profession, or are interested in joining the Citizens Assisting Police in Apex volunteer group, email [email protected] for an application. Deadline to apply is Friday, August 8.

📈 Gas Rate Increase?
As you likely already know, your Apex utility rates increased slightly on July 1st. Now, Enbridge (who purchased Dominion Energy last year) wants to raise your gas rates. Here is the Public Notice document. There is a public hearing scheduled for this request on August 18 in Raleigh.

🗓️ Important Upcoming Dates

Monday, July 14
Planning Board Meeting
4:30pm | Town Hall

Thursday, July 17
Environmental Advisory Board
6pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead:

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

July 18, 2025
Night Market on the Park
6pm - 10pm | Sweetwater

July 19, 2025
SuperFun Saturday
10:30am - 12:30pm | The Halle

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 Amphitheatre

July 24, 2025
CommUniversity: Writing Your Neighborhood’s History
6pm | Senior Center

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.

If you skipped over the intro, here is a link to a brief survey to help me make The Peak Weekly even better.

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... 😘