Kirkland .com
Reporter
NEWSLINE: 425.822.9166
illness outbreak | 17 Juanita High School cheerleaders, one coach sick after illness outbreak at state tourney [3]
On the go?
GET OUR FREE MOBILE APP Scan this code and start receiving local news on your mobile device today!
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Plea changed to guilty in death of Kirkland man
Sweets for your sweety
Patrick Rexroat faces maximum sentence of four years in prison for killing Steve Lacey By Matt Phelps mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
Sweet Cakes owner Susanne Park said that Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest times of the year for her business. Park has been involved in the Kirkland community for a long time and often donates many of her treats to local charities and non-profits. Carrie Wood, Kirkland Reporter
Kirkland’s Sweet Cakes serves up treats with heart for Valentine’s Day, community By Matt Phelps mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
C
alling your husband or wife sweet cakes in public can be embarrassing if it is not Valentine’s Day. But many Kirkland residents know that visiting Sweet Cakes for Valentine’s Day might be the most delicious thing you can do for your significant other. “Valentine’s Day is our biggest day of the year,” said Sweet Cakes owner Susanne Park. “We have heart cookies and we bring out our decadents. We package especially for Valentine’s Day … and we make all of them the old-fashioned way – by hand.” The smell of baking, along with the sight of the gourmet cupcakes in the glass display case will make any customer salivate from the first time they open the front door located at 128 Park Lane in downtown Kirkland. Sweet Cakes has been open for four years and started as a hobby for Park.
“I just have a love for baked goods,” said Park, who was an accountant before taking a bite as a business owner. “My mom was a baker and I love the art.” That art has led to 12 different types of cupcakes, including Pink Champagne, Red Velvet, Macaroon, Triple Chocolate with chocolate butter cream and Snicker Doodle. Park’s favorite is the Ganache Chocolate cupcake that will be served for Valentine’s Day. Sweet Cakes also has White, Snicker Doodle, Chocolate, Lemon and Coconut Cakes that are gluten free. Park says that Kirkland’s hunger for cupcakes is very unpredictable. “I can’t figure out the public,” said Park. “Valentine’s Day and the car show are pretty busy.” Sweet Cakes is a creative
family endeavor. Park and her sister-in-law, baker Hillary Ricci, take requests for new products as well. “She is awesome,” said Park of Ricci’s talents. “… We dream (the flavors) up.” Sweet Cakes also offers cookies, five different cheesecakes, dessert bars and wedding cakes. The fact that the store opened at the height of the recession and does not advertise is encouraging for Park. Word, or taste, of mouth is the biggest way that the business develops new customers. “We have a great location,” said Park. “Our tastings are the biggest way that we advertise.” Despite the success, Park said that she has no desire to expand. “I want to focus on the product,” said Park. “I don’t expect to get rich.”
But the sugary heart that may come atop a cupcake on Valentine’s Day is also representative of the business’ relationship with the community. All the treats are made early in the morning and the store typically finishes the day with surplus cupcakes. Park said that she will never hold a cake longer than one working day and will give away the surplus. “I did a lot of volunteering and I love Kirkland,” said Park. “We donate to local food banks and other charities.” Some of the local places that Sweet Cakes donates are Tent City, Hopelink, churches and the Kirkland Teen Union Building. So when the price of a dozen roses goes over $40 this weekend, try something that is pretty and sweet, like the sweet cake in your life.
For more information visit www.sweetcakeskirkland.com or call 425-821-6565.
Letter to the editor
The widow of Steve A Snohomish County Lacey, Nabila Lacey, tells man who killed Kirkland Kirkland residents why it resident Steve Lacey last is important to increase summer while drivthe penalties for DUIing drunk, changed his caused vehicular homicide not guilty plea in King and how the accident has County Superior Court changed her family forever on Feb. 2, according to on page 6. a spokesperson for King County Prosecutor Dan Satterburg. 405 through Kirkland Patrick Rexroat pleaded when he says a car cut guilty to vehicuhim off, according lar homicide and to court docureckless driving ments. Rexroat charges in the told police that fatal collision of he attempted to the former Google follow the car engineer on busy as it exited the N.E. 85th Street in freeway in his Steve Lacey Kirkland on July SUV. Rexroat lost 24. control of his Rexroat origivehicle, driving across the nally pleaded not guilty east-bound lane of N.E. in August. The man was 85th and then colliding traveling southbound on [ more Lacey page 2 ]
Kirkland City Council passes code of ethics By Matt Phelps mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
After two years of research, debate, committees and council discussions the Kirkland City Council unanimously approved a code of ethics. “It’s been a two-year process and we are happy that it is done,” said Councilman Toby Nixon. The council voted to approve the code of ethics Tuesday during its regularly scheduled meeting. Nixon was an
instrumental figure in crafting the code of ethics, serving as the chair of the ethics task force prior to his election to council. “As you know, I am kind of in love with this,” joked Nixon. “I have spent a lot of time on this.” The code of ethics will be applied to City of Kirkland boards, commissions and the city council. It is broken down into three sections, [ more ethics page 2 ]