Octopuses, Oktoberfest and Eight Businesses

👋 Good morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, September 25, 2025 and this is the 38th weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Did you know that the plural form of the word Octopus is Octopuses?

And… that Octopuses have eight arms which are dotted with more than 2,000 individually moving suction cups, containing two-thirds of the animal’s neurons?

Octopuses’ suckers can feel, taste, and even smell. 🐙 Octopuses can create a better image of something just by touching it than we can with all of our senses combined.

So what’s my point?

Well, they have 8 arms… and in Latin, Octo means 8.

And it’s almost Octo-ber.

See what I did there?

But wait… if octo means 8, then why is our 10th month called October?

Thanks so much for asking!

That’s a great way to segue into a couple of cool October facts, starting with why it’s named after the number 8:

🗓️ October’s name comes from the Latin word octo for “eight” because it was the eighth month in the old Roman calendar.

🌕️ In folklore, October’s full moon is called the Hunter’s Moon, traditionally marking the time to gather and prepare for winter.

🍕 The first issue of the magazine, Pizza Today, came out in October, 1984. Three years later, the US Congress officially declared October as National Pizza Month.

🎗️🩷 October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This is the most common cancer among American women with about 250,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Breast Cancer Awareness Month acts as a reminder to prioritize breast health and support those affected.

🍿 In October 1999, the US Secretary of Agriculture proclaimed October as National Popcorn Poppin’ Month.

🪐 World Space Week is celebrated from October 4-10 as an international celebration of science and technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition.

👩🏻‍🏫 October 5 is World Teachers Day to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of teachers and their role in nurturing generations.

🌮 Taco Day is Tuesday, October 7. Keep an eye out for some good taco deals.

🚒 Fire Prevention Week is Oct 5 - Oct 11. This year’s theme is, “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home”. Here’s a 90-second video to learn more.

🌎 Indigenous Peoples’ Day is on October 9. The day is to honor and recognize the native people who originally inhabited our lands. Learn more about the Apex event on October 13.

🥨 On October 11, Apex American Legion Post 124 will host our Annual Oktoberfest Event at the Apex Town Campus starting at noon. Watch a video preview here.

🪔 Diwali, also called Deepavali or Deepawali, is the Hindu festival of lights, with variations celebrated in other Indian religions such as Jainism and Sikhism. It symbolizes the spiritual victory of Dharma over Adharma, light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

🎃 And, of course, my wife’s favorite holiday that she always starts decorating for way too early is on October 31.

Ok, now let’s get into it…

Miscellaneous:

🚏 Free GoTriangle Senior GoPass
Those who are 65 or older are eligible for a free GoTriangle Senior GoPass. You can sign up Today from 10am-12pm at the Senior Center.

🤖 NC Government Accelerates AI Usage
Our state leaders want to integrate artificial intelligence into its workforce, and this month, Gov. Stein issued an executive order establishing an AI Accelerator program at the Department of Information Technology.

👻 Tour of Frights - Sign Up
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. Want to showcase your home or business this year? Apply here

🚛 This Tour is Trash
Have you ever wondered what happens to your trash when it leaves the curb? Collection day is just the first day in a long journey for your trash. On Monday at 10am, join a tour of South Wake Landfill and Recycling to find out where it all ends up.

🦶 Barefoot in the Park
This year’s Fall Play at The Halle is Neil Simon’s “Barefoot in the Park”. Show times are Oct 3, Oct 4, Oct 10 & Oct 11 at 7:30pm, as well as Oct 5 & Oct 12 at 3pm. Get your tickets here.

📈 Grow Your Handmade Business
The Studio downtown has open spots in their handmade retail shop. If you are looking to showcase your work, you can apply to be a vendor now through October 5.

🏘️ Sweetwater Yard Sale
This Saturday, Sept 27 from 7:30am until 11am, the Sweetwater Community is hosting a community yard sale. Visit all the streets within the community for great deals, as well as the clubhouse parking lot at 2775 Core Banks St. (rainout date is 10/4)

☎️ Questions for the Town?
Ask Apex is the dedicated call center for any Town-related questions. If you have questions/concerns about your utility bill, or anything else, you can call (919) 249-3311 Mon-Thurs 8-5 and Friday 8-2.

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

Thursday, September 25

🍫 Explore S’more
6pm - 7:30pm | Nature Park Amphitheater

♟️ Teen Chess Club
6:30pm - 7:30pm | Eva Perry Library

Saturday, September 27

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

🚲️ Bikes and Coffee
8am - 11am | Fratelli’s Deli

🏍️ 9th Annual Apex PD: A Day Behind (handle) Bars
8:30am | Apex PD

👕 Mabopane Marketplace
10am - 1pm | 3913 US Hwy 64W
(and Friday, 7am-12pm)

🪇 Latino Arts Festival
Note: Location changed from The Depot to The Halle. The Latino Arts & Culinary Festival invites attendees to celebrate and learn about Latino culture and heritage. Enjoy live music and entertainment, country booths, Latino-inspired arts and crafts, non-profit vendors.
3pm - 9pm | The Halle

🍖 BBQ Dinner Fundraiser
5:30pm - 7:30pm | St. Mary Magdalene

⚯ ͛ Harry Potter Theme Night
6pm - 10pm | Southern Peak Brewery

Sunday, September 28

🤝 Protect Wake County Coalition Meeting
Learn more about responsible growth, the proposed data center, and ways to get involved. The New Hill Community Center is located at 3101 New Hill Holleman Rd.
7:30pm - 9:30pm | New Hill Community Center

Tuesday, September 30

🎤 Open Mic Night
6pm - 9pm | Oaklyn Springs

🧠 Trivia Night (every Tues)
8pm | JD’s Tavern

Wednesday, October 1

👮 Coffee with a Cop
8am - 9am | McDonald’s

🎬️ Wednesday Night Movie
7:30pm - 10pm | The Halle

🐙 8 Local Business Updates

🍔 Burgers with a Hefty Dose of Southern Hospitality
Al’s Burger Shack will be opening soon in Sweetwater’s Harris Teeter plaza. As of writing this, the website says October 1, but we bumped into the owner yesterday who told us that it’s now expected to open Wednesday, October 8.

✂️ Ribbon Cutting on Friday
Autizum, located at 1031 Pemberton Hill Rd, is an ABA therapy center on a mission to empower children with autism to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives, by helping families navigate the challenges of autism with compassion, confidence and support. The Chamber will be hosting their ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at 4pm.

🫐🍍🥣 20% Off for First-Time Customers
We spoke with Jenny, who owns SolBol with her husband, who told us all about their second SoBol location, the ingredients they use, and their new seasonal items coming soon (such as the Pumpkin Smoothie coming back on October 1). We learned that they also offer catering and they are currently looking for a full-time team member. AND - get this - new customers who mention that they saw SoBol here in the Peak Weekly get 20% off. Get all of the details here.

🍷 Dinner in the Vineyard
Cloer Family Vineyards is hosting its Harvest Dinner to celebrate this year’s harvest on October 16. Tickets are $90 and include a four-course meal and a glass of wine. Get tickets here

🖌️ Paint Night
The next upcoming event at North Left Mercantile is Paint Night: Autumn Watercolor Workbook on October 8. Tickets include an Emily Lex watercolor workbook and set of 24 watercolor paints. Get tickets here

💅 Make Your Own Nail Polish
On October 3rd and 4th, Bare Hands will host this Halloween-themed workshop. You can see those workshops and others upcoming events here. Also, if you have never been to the literary, fantasy & mystic boutique at 305 S Salem, you should! Learn more about Bare Hands on Instagram.

🥤 Fall Menu Launch
Muggle Butter Brew, Cobble Wobble Fizz and Pumpkin Patch Pop are just a few of the new fall drinks rolling out for the season at Soda Box. The new menu drops Saturday at 9am (so you have a few more days to grab a summer drink!)

🏺 From Flooded to Fabulous
Reclamation Home Furnishings has reopened! Not familiar with it? That’s ok. They are located in neighboring Pittsboro (about 30 minutes away), but I wanted to show them some love as they have reopened their doors after being closed for about 2 months for flood cleanup. Reclamation carries vintage, antique and reclaimed treasures. Watch their grand re-opening recap video here and then go pay them a visit!

Civil News:

🪖 National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Friday, September 26, 2025 was officially recognized through a Town proclamation as Prisoners of War and Missing in Action Apex Day of Honor.

🎾 Contributions to Tennis
Apex Parks & Recreation has been awarded the USA North Carolina 2025 Outstanding Parks and Recreation Department Award for its contributions to tennis.

📊 Nice Budget
The Budget Department received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fiscal year 2026 budget from GFOA and a special recognition for their capital program and strategic goals. Jessica Hoffman was introduced as the new Budget & Performance Management Director.

✅ Transit Priorities
On Tuesday, the council accepted the Apex Transit Prioritization Study. The study identifies priorities for improving and expanding public transit over the next five years,

🔌 Utility Update
The Town has shared BerryDunn’s Process Review Findings and Recommendations Report, along with their responses. You can find them both here.

To be super candid with you, these reports mean nothing in my opinion. I’m on day 124 of waiting on my results from the recalculation request and just noticed even more errors on my bill today.

As of Tuesday, out of the calls that have been escalated for a more detailed review/response on more recent billing issues, there are 438 requests in the queue. The Town acknowledges that some have been waiting for weeks.

More to share on this next week. In the meantime, watch the Mayor’s update if you haven’t already.

And I just want to take a moment to say thank you to the Mayor for continuing to speak out on our behalf regarding this utility billing crisis.

🗓️ Important Upcoming Dates

Friday, September 26
Rules Committee Meeting
3pm - 5pm | Town Hall

Friday, October 10
Town Council Strategic Planning
12pm - 5pm | Town Hall

A Look Ahead

October 5, 2025
Love Local Showcase
11am - 4pm | Downtown Apex

October 5, 2025
Fall Fest Fundraiser
11am - 4pm | Optimist Farm

October 7, 2025
Apex Night Out (ft. Touch-a-Truck)
4:30pm - 7pm | Town Campus

October 11, 2025
Apex Oktoberfest
12pm - 7pm | Town Campus

October 13, 2025
Indigenous Peoples’ Day
6pm - 7:30pm | Nature Park Amphitheater

October 18, 2025
Shred Day
8am - 11am | 105 Upchurch Street

Peak Plan 2055: Public Forum #1
Option 1: Wednesday, Oct 22
4:30pm - 6:30pm | Hope Community Church
Option 2: Thursday, Oct 23
4:30pm - 6:30pm | Town Hall

In Case You Missed it

🍍 Playa Bowls
Playa Bowls in downtown Apex is now open daily 8am-9pm at 219 N Salem.

🫒 Greek Kouzina
The Mediterranean cuisine restaurant is now open at 2820 Teachey Place #100.

🦆 Groovy Duck
Groovy Duck Bakery will be opening in the near future at 101 N Salem.

🏡 Town-Sponsored Community Land Trust
Last week, council voted unanimously to establish a Community Land Trust for affordable housing. Under the CLT model, town-owned land can be held in the trust in perpetuity and affordable housing built on it and sold to residents at affordable rates with a guaranteed 99-year lease on the land. The town hopes to appoint a board of directors and find an independent management company and development partners in the next year. Full article here.

🔌 Electric Meter Upgrades
The work on water meter endpoint replacements is wrapping up and in October, Phase 2 of the Meter System Upgrade project will begin, which includes the replacement of electric meters for nearly every customer. This will take about 12-18 months to complete. When yours is upgraded, you’ll lose power for about 1 minute. More info 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... 😘