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Friday, JULY 6, 2012
City to medical marijuana businesses: ‘cease all activities’ By Steve Hunter shunter@kentreporter.com
The city of Kent sent letters to two medical marijuana collective gardens and landlords of the sites that the businesses are operating illegally under a new city ordinance that bans the gardens. “Your continued operation
of your business constitutes a violation of the city’s zoning law,” reads a letter dated June 22 from Deputy City Attorney Pat Fitzpatrick. “In addition, your activities constitute a crime under federal law. The city hereby demands that you cease all activities relating to medical marijuana collective gardens and dispensing activities.
“In the event you fail to abide by the city’s zoning ordinance, the city may seek civil and/or criminal remedies in the courts. The city would appreciate your cooperation in this matter.” Charles Lambert, owner of Evergreen Association of Collective Gardens, said he received the letter in the mail as well as a
hand-delivered letter from the Kent Police. He still plans to keep on operating. “It's a little unbelievable in 13 months (since he opened) that they want to change their mind instead of working with me,” said Lambert, who added he received approval initially from the Kent Police to run his business. “They
say it’s because of federal law. The city is not here to enforce federal law. States are allowed to have medical marijuana laws.” The City Council voted 4-3 on June 5 to ban medical marijuana collective gardens because it believes the businesses violate federal law that lists marijuana as [ more BAN page 4 ]
Dave Street and his staff have helped bring the outdoor summer camp experience to hundreds of Kent area kids. MARK KLAAS, Kent Reporter
Sweet Theme team: Alison Carchedi, left, Assistant Chef Mary Watts, middle, and Head Chef Suzanne Schack, right, make it all happen at their downtown bakery. Sweet Themes, on Meeker Street, specializes in custom-made dessert, but also offers lunch favorites. SARah kehoe, Kent Reporter
THREE WOMEN AND A BAKERY Sweet Themes brings creative desserts, coffee and conversation By Sarah Kehoe skehoe@kentreporter.com
Kent now has a homey place for people of all ages to congregate, sip coffee and eat goodies. Alison Carchedi opened Sweet Themes in downtown Kent on June 20 with Head Chef Suzanne Schack and Assistant Chef Mary Watts. The women have already noticed their customers are adapting to the atmo-
sphere. “People come in and they aren’t on their cell phones ignoring each other or just passing through,” Carchedi said, smiling. “They are talking.” The bakery features custom-made dessert and lunch food, including cookies, cakes, pies and quiches. The median price range for items is $5. “We wanted this to be a place where people could congregate and just relax,” Schack said. “We have ceramic mugs and plates that match our décor to give the place a real home feeling.” The bakery features coffee from Seattle’s Caffé Vita. “It’s neat because there isn’t a Caffé
Vita here in Kent,” Carchedi said. “But now we have one. This gives our bakery a city feeling, a bit of sophistication.” The building is a part of a city unit and the women wanted to maintain the building’s historical integrity, so they kept the cement floors and brick walls. “We painted bright colors and stenciled some designs so our place would always be warm and inviting,” Carchedi said. There is no set menu at the bakery. Watts and Schack enjoy having the
[ more BAKERY page 10 ]
Kent’s resident summer camp stays strong BY MARK KLAAS mklaas@kentrepolurter.com
Dave Street is a kid at heart, someone who shares the joy of the summer camp experience. “Absolutely,” said Street, the man behind one of the area’s longest running and successful city-backed resident camps for
Task force, partners helping the needy BY ROCHELLE ADAMS For the Kent Reporter
Every Thursday at 6 p.m., a line forms inside the New Beginnings Church that sometimes stretches
boys and girls. “As a kid, I went to camp, and it had a profound effect on me.” That kid at heart devotes considerable time and energy so that others can enjoy the wonders of summer camp. Street and his well-seasoned staff make it happen each [ more CAMP page 13 ]
from the far side of the room, out the back door and into the parking lot. The people who form the line are of different ages and background, but they all need the same [ more HELP page 2 ]