One Apology, 13 Donuts, and One Million Dollars

👋 Good morning, Apex! Today is February 13, 2025 and this is the sixth weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

I want to take a quick second to shout out Apex Economic Development. A few weeks ago, I reached out to them asking for help in regards to information about new businesses in Apex.

I didn’t hear back from them, so I decided to be a little hard on them in my following email. Truthfully, I was a little annoyed that I sent them a couple emails and heard nothing back. But once we finally got in touch, it turns out that their email firewall was blocking my emails and they had no idea I was reaching out.

Once they realized I was trying to reach them, they were extremely quick to respond.

I jumped to conclusions and gave them a hard time. I was wrong for that. Add it to the list of 1,000 other things I have learned throughout this experience, though that one probably tops the list.

Once we worked out that little technical difficulty, they have been nothing but helpful, kind and proactive.

At the end of the day, I’m super passionate about delivering the best information to you, the reader, as well as supporting the individuals and businesses of Apex. When I thought they were blowing me off, I reacted emotionally.

In reality, everyone affiliated with the Town has been very kind, supportive and helpful to me as I try to gather information. Well, except for the guy in charge of the email firewall. We still have beef. (I’M JOKING…)

Anyway, let’s get to it. Here is what’s inside today:

📂 Miscellaneous: Some quick, random notes that didn’t fit anywhere else

🗓️ Things to Do This Week: Events and activities this coming week in Apex

🏢 Local Business: Updates on business and developments

🏛️ Civil News: The latest from local government

🐶 Animal(s) of the Week: Featured animals looking for a good home

👀 A Look Ahead: A quick peak at things to know beyond this week

🫣 In Case You Missed it: Info from previous emails that are still relevant

Miscellaneous:

🐶 287 Animals in Quarantine
In response to a recent outbreak of Streptococcus zooepidemicus, resulting in the deaths of three dogs, the Wake County Animal Center closed last Friday and will remain closed for at least 30 days to help contain the outbreak. Read the Story | Make a Donation

🏞️ Play it Forward
Apex’s Play It Forward scholarship fund helps remove barriers to participation in recreation by allowing residents to apply for funds that can be used towards most Apex Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Programs. Visit the link above to apply for funds, or to donate. 

🗓️ Black History Month
If you like bite-sized pieces of content (like this email), then you’ll love this short-form video series offering up new minute-ish long videos each day throughout the month about some very interesting black history right here in Apex. Follow along on Facebook or follow along on Instagram.

🐴 Hay, I’m Not Horsing Around
I grew up on a horse farm back in Indiana. When I moved to Apex, I was pleasantly surprised to see that we have a pretty active equestrian community here. Being around and riding horses as a young person was such an amazing, unique experience. I just wanted to take a quick second to shout out one of our subscribers, Melanie Svinis. She’s the VP of the Jordan Lake Trails Conservation Association, an avid rider and instructor, super passionate about the sport, and she even wrote a book for adults looking to get started in horseback riding.

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

Thursday, Feb 13

🪩 Sweetheart Dance
3:30pm - 6:30pm | The Learning Experience

Friday, Feb 14

💝 Valentine’s Day Kids Night Out
6pm - 9pm | Wine & Design

🎹 The Ben Rosenblum Trio
7pm | Halle Cultural Arts Center

Saturday, Feb 15

🧑‍🌾 Apex Farmers Market
9am - 12pm | The Depot

🎨 SuperFun Saturday
10:30am - 12:30pm | Halle Cultural Arts

♠️ Black History Month - Spades Tournament
11:00am - 2:00pm | Apex Senior Center

🛼 Peak Skates Roller Skate Jam
1pm - 4pm | SportHQ

🎹 JazzLive with Lenore Raphael & Friends
3pm - 5:30pm | Halle Cultural Arts Center

Wednesday, Feb 19

🎬️ Wednesday Morning Movie
9am - 12pm | Halle Cultural Arts Center

Things to Do This Week Nearby:

🤠 Raleigh Stampede
Friday, Feb 14 | 7:30pm
Saturday, Feb 15 | 7:30pm
JB Hunt Complex | State Fairgrounds

🤠 Cary Vintage Market
Saturday, Feb 15 | 12pm - 5pm
Vicious Fishes Brewery (Cary)

🐐 Valentines with Goats
Thru Feb 16 | 10am – 5pm
Spring Haven Farm (Chapel Hill)

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Interested in arts, crafts, track-out camps, or town-organized sports?

 ➡️ Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Program Guide

Local Business:

Highlights

🛠️ I Have a Guy for That
Ready to finally take care of those maintenance jobs around the house that you’ve been putting off? I got a guy. If you need handyman work inside the house or landscaping and outdoor work, former NC Wildlife Officer and Apex Native, Mason, is your guy for that. Home repairs, junk removal, lawn care, gutter cleaning, TV mount installation… Mason Makes it Happen!

🏆️ IFA Franchisee of the Year
Juuust outside of Apex (in Cary) is a student athlete sports performance training & adult fitness training facility called Athletic Republic. Owner, Alen McKnight, accepted the award for Franchisee of the Year on Tuesday at the International Franchise Association (IFA) Conference based on the criteria of service to the community, fostering a strong and vibrant workforce, opening the doors for career growth, and supporting other franchisees. Congrats to Alen and Athletic Republic of Cary.

🥘 The Sauce Takes it to the Top
WTVD interviewed Yagg Sii Tenn Authentic African Restaurant in Apex last week. The food looks amazing and their Google reviews are top notch. I’m taking the wife for lunch there next week! Watch the video here.

Coming Soon

🍩 Baker’s Dozen Donuts
Word on the street internet is that Baker’s Dozen Donuts will be taking the place of Bonafide Bakeshop. I’ve never heard of them, but people on Facebook are freaking out over this. Seems like I should know them! Can’t wait to try it. Opening sometime this summer.

🍺 South Line Brewing Co
A Certificate of Zoning Compliance was approved on 1/24/25. No more information at this time. But their location in Cary is awesome; will be cool to have them in Apex!

🍔 Al’s Burger Shack
A Certificate of Zoning Compliance was approved on 2/4/25. Looks like they will be in Sweetwater. No more information at this time, but if it’s the same Al’s Burger Shack as the ones in Chapel Hill, this will be a nice addition!

Civil News:

Apex State of the Town 2025

"Apex continues to stand at the intersection of tradition and progress. Both are so important as we celebrate accomplishments and plan for the future."

Watch Mayor Gilbert as he reflects on Apex's achievements in 2024 and looks ahead to what's coming in 2025! (even if you are already in-the-know, this is worth watching simply for the incredible production value of the video)

A Million Dollar Decision

Have you been following along with the Tunstall House project and potential alterations to the Pleasant Park Baseball Field project?

It’s a bit of a hot-button issue right now.

I wrote a blog post to break it all down for you. Just click on this hot button:

🗓️ Important Upcoming Dates

Thursday, Feb 13
Town Council Annual Retreat (day 2)
8:30am – 5pm | Town Hall

Tuesday, Feb 18
Town Council Working Session
3:30pm | Town Hall and YouTube
📄 Agenda (available Friday)

Tuesday, Feb 18
Board of Adjustment Meeting
6pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, Feb 19
Economic Development Committee Meeting
4pm – 5:30pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, Feb 19
Mayor’s Substance Misuse Task Force
5:30pm – 7pm | Town Hall

Wednesday, February 26
S-Line Mobility Hub Open House
4pm - 6pm | Apex Senior Center

Animal(s) of the Week:

“Didn't luck out on finding a great Valentine? No worries! We have you covered! Come out to Vicious Fishes in Apex on Feb. 15th and meet some of our adorable pups available for adoption!”

View Lending Paws A Hand on Petfinder

View Event Details

A Look Ahead:

February 21, 2025 | 7am - 12pm
February 22, 2025 | 10am - 1pm
Mabopane Marketplace
3913 US Hwy 64W

February 21, 2025
Peak Rehabilitation Open House
2pm - 5:00pm | 1401 Zeno Rd.

February 22, 2025
Black History Month - Hip Hop Workshop
12:00pm - 2:00pm | Apex Senior Center

February 22, 2025
The Apex Gala
6:00pm - 10:00pm | MacGregor Downs Country Club

February 26, 2025
S-Line Mobility Hub - Open House
4pm - 6pm | Salem Room at the Senior Center

February 24 - March 2, 2025
Apex Restaurant Week 2025

March 10, 2025
Run the Peak
8am - 12pm | Downtown & Town Hall Campus

In Case You Missed it

🏫 Apex Peak Academy
If you want to learn more about Apex and how Town departments operate and plan for the future, then Apex Peak Academy may be the right course for you! Starts April 16. Details & Application here

👨‍💻 White Oak Creek Greenway Mural
The Apex Public Art Committee is seeking the public’s feedback about the design of an incoming “NATURE” mural at White Oak Creek Greenway. Share your feedback on the proposed design here.

👗 Donate Your Dress
The Prom Shoppe is a shopping event on Feb 28 & March 1 that provides prom dresses and all accessories to girls who cannot afford to attend prom. Please consider donating your like-new dresses, shoes, jewelry & accessories.

🏆️ Think Apex Awards
Do you know a business, individual, non-profit, or youth who has made a lasting impact on the Apex community in 2024? Now’s your chance to recognize their incredible contributions! Submit a Nomination Here (open now thru Feb 28)

A Final Note:

Thank you for reading The Peak Weekly today.

We now have over 2,000 people subscribed. I appreciate each and every one of you who take a few minutes out of your day each week to read this little newsletter project of mine. I do not take that for granted. Thank you.

If you have any feedback, ideas, or any other thoughts on how to make this newsletter better, please reply to this email or email me directly at [email protected]

Happy Valentine’s Day!

See you next Thursday. 😘