Welcome to May; Come See Me At PeakFest!

👋 Good morning, Apex! Today is Thursday, May 1, 2025 and this is the 17th consecutive weekly issue of The Peak Weekly.

Here is what’s inside today:

📝 Intro: Quick thoughts from yours truly

📂 Miscellaneous: Some town-related notes that didn’t fit anywhere else

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

🏢 Local Business: The latest in local small business news

🏛️ Civil News: The latest from our local government

🧍 Person of the Week: New this week - featuring cool people in Apex

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

⏪️ ICYMI: A few things worth mentioning again, just in case you missed it

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

Intro:

Two quick things before we jump into all the fun stuff…

🦸‍♂️ Hyperlocal Heroes
There’s a really cool nonprofit R&D lab called New_ Public whose focus is with online communities that foster connection and encourage civil engagement.

Last week, they invited me to co-host a panel to share my journey with The Peak Weekly.

Here is the screenshot they shared after the event where the other panelists are all smiling and I’m just staring off into space looking mad for no reason (#introvert #adhd).

The other panelists were from Epicenter NYC and Chicago Public Media. It was pretty cool for little ol me to be a part of this pretty impressive crowd of people. But to be honest, it really has nothing to do with me. It’s moreso a representation of you and all of the support that I have received from everyone who reads this each week. Thank you 🫶 

And secondly…

This Saturday is the 44th Annual PeakFest in downtown Apex.

Come see me! ⬇️ 

I have a sponsorship booth space at Moore Street (right near Hollands Jewelers and the Kidzone). I won’t be selling anything or doing anything interesting but I’ll be hanging out there all day and would love to meet you in person!

A couple of resources for the day of:

🗓️ 🗺️ Schedule of Events & Map Here

🧠 Know Before You Go & FAQs

Miscellaneous:

🛍️ Small Business Week
The week of May 4-10 is Small Business Week. As always, make sure to get out and support our small businesses here in Apex. Make sure to check out the Love Local Showcase next Thursday and here are some other events going on during the week.

🧠 Mental Health Awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Make sure to take care of yourself. Use this time to take a mental reset if you need it (we all probably do). And do what you can to talk about mental health, check on a friend, and help reduce the stigma around mental health.

👩 Don’t Forget About Mom
Mother’s Day is just 10 days away. If you are fortunate enough to still have your mother around, do something special for her next Sunday. Maybe make reservations at The Provincial or grab some flowers and a unique gift from The Studio.

🐝 It’s Almost Bee Time
The Town of Apex has created a Pollinator Habitat Certification Program. As soon as my hive arrives later this month, I will be applying for the certificate. You should too!

🎾 Apex Community Park Tennis Courts
The Apex Community Park tennis courts will be closed for resurfacing beginning on Monday, May 5th. No reopening time frame has been provided at this time.

Things to Do This Week in Apex:

Today, May 1

🥎 Spring Fling
4pm - 6pm | Lufkin Rd Middle School

🖌️🐈️ Paint Your Pet Workshop
6:30 - 8:30pm | Adventures in Bloom

Friday, May 2

🍖 Annual BBQ
11am - 7pm | Apex UMC

Saturday, May 3

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

There will be no Farmers Market this Saturday because…

🪁 PeakFest!!
9am - 5pm | Downtown Apex

(PeakFest resources at the top of this email in case you skimmed by it 👆️)

👒 Kentucky Derby Cocktail Party + Live Music
5pm - 11pm | The Exchange

Sunday, May 4

🗝️ Art & Vintage Spring Market
11am - 4pm | Vicious Fishes Apex

🪙 Downtown Apex Treasure Hunt
2pm - 3pm | Oaklyn Springs / Downtown

Tuesday, May 6

🍣 Sushi Workshop
6:30pm | Vicious Fishes Apex

Wednesday, May 7

🎥 Wednesday Night Movie
7pm - 10pm | Halle Cultural Arts

🌌 Things to Do for May the 4th:

Star Wars Day Event
1pm - 5pm | Downtown Cary Park

Star Wars Day Party
12pm - Midnight | Boxcar Bar & Arcade

Star Wars Films
12pm - 8pm | The Cary Theater

Local Business

Now Open - Club Pilates

Following the latest Sweetwater opening of Mi Cancun a couple of weeks back, Club Pilates has now opened its doors.

Next Up in Sweetwater (by Late Spring):

🔜 Black Diamond Chiropractic
🔜 Mama Bird’s Ice Cream
🔜 Bless Your Heart Boutique

🔦 Business Spotlights

🍓 Po Hous Farm
Join Po Hous Farm for the grand opening of The Gather Station in New Hill on Saturday, May 3 from 12-5pm. It’s a brand new, unique event space and the grand opening celebration will have great food and live music.

Also, if you have visited the Po Hous Farm Tent at the Farmers Market but have never been to the actual farm, you need to go! Strawberry picking is in full swing and they have a bunch of other produce, ice cream, breads and local honey.

🥕 The Midweek Market
There is a new farmer’s market in town. Starting next week, May 8, The Midweek Market will take place in Sweetwater Town Center every Thursday from 4-7pm. Check them out next week. Also, I think they might still be accepting vendor applications if you’re interested in that.

🐕️ Quick Follow-Up
Last week, I did a spotlight on GoodVets Apex since they had the highest (5/5) ratings on Google. At the time, I did not have a personal experience, but was simply shining the light on what I read. I can now officially give a personal recommendation. I took my pup there yesterday to get some help with his flared-up allergies and I was truly blown away. Dr. Call and every single person on her staff was outstanding. Like, above-and-beyond outstanding.

Civil News:

💰️ 24-25 Budget Overview
(Repost from last week just in case you missed it): The first draft of the Town Council’s budget has been published. It must be finalized and adopted by the end of June. You can read through the 196-page document here or check out a more simplified breakdown here. 📲 Want to share your thoughts with the Mayor? Message him on Facebook or through the Mayor App on Apple or Android.

🌳 Environmental Issues
Which environmental issues are most important to you? The Environmental Advisory Board wants your feedback. Take the survey here.

I’ll give you this little piece of info as you consider taking that survey: From 2010-2020, Apex lost 15.2% of its tree canopy to development, more than any other city/town in Wake County. That equates to 2,180 acres of trees, which is more tree loss than Fuquay, Garner and Morrisville had combined.

One other note: The survey (at this time) includes a link when referring to the tree canopy for the Apex Tree-CAP (Citizen Advisory Panel). I think they meant to put the Plant the Peak link there since the Tree-CAP web page, and the committee as a whole, were recently dissolved.

#SaveTheTrees Here’s that survey link again.

🗓️ Important Upcoming Dates

Tuesday, May 6
Help Up Reimagine West Street Park
4:30 - 6:30pm | West Street Park

Thursday, May 8
Town Council Budget Work Session
2-5pm | Town Hall

Person of the Week:

Chris Brooks, long-time Apex resident, achieved his dream when he was appointed as Wake county’s newest District Court Judge back in March.

Chris was born in Cary but has lived in Apex since attending Apex Elementary. He has 3 children (and a pretty cool and proud wife who reached how to share Chris’ story with me).

His seat is the Judicial 10F seat which encompasses part of Apex, Cary and Holly Springs. Chris has worked for the NC Attorney General’s office since 1998 and has always dreamed of becoming a Judge.

When he’s not working, he enjoys deep-sea fishing, gardening, playing on the Bella Casa Softball Team, attending Apex Baptist Church, and grabbing a bite to eat at Fratelli’s Deli.

Congratulations, Judge Brooks!

➡️ Know somebody you’d like to feature (and potentially embarass) in the Peak Weekly for something cool they have done? Email me: [email protected]

Animal of the Week:

This week, I encourage you to check out the Pints + Puppies event at Southern Peak Brewery on Friday from 5-8pm.

Peak Lab Rescue will be there and your family’s new dog cannot wait to meet you!

Adoptable dogs can be seen here

A Look Ahead:

May 8, 2025
Apex Love Local Showcase
4pm - 7pm | Downtown Apex

May 17, 2025
MARCH1000
10am - 1pm | Downtown Apex

May 26, 2025
Memorial Day Ceremony
9:30am | Downtown Apex

June 3, 2025
Raise Hope, Foster Dreams
6:30 - 7:30pm | Apex Baptist Church

In Case You Missed it

💡 Utility Billing Update
The review for Cycle 1 is in the comparison phase, while Cycle 2’s simulation wrapping up. A final report is expected within the next week and will be reviewed by the Council before findings are shared with the public.

🏠️ Affordable Housing Plan
The final plan for strategies and implementation related to affordable housing is on track to conclude by the end of May. You can see the highlights here. You can dig into the full details here (starting Page 35)

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 have any ideas of how to make this 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... 😘