4 things Seattle is talking about
➡️ Seattle police are responding to fewer mental health calls after the state’s new use-of-force laws. Since the new laws were implemented in late July, the number of “involuntary commitments” by SPD officers dropped by 45% in August. The decline, according to SPD, is because of the confusion over what type of force is and is not permitted under the new laws. This has service providers pointing out that, while they agree with efforts to allow for a behavioral health first response, right now, staff are concerned about their safety and the support that they normally received from law enforcement when individuals became dangerous to themselves and others. (Crosscut)
🍺 Seattle is home to the “Brewery and Brewer of the Year.” The Great American Beer Festival — the nation’s most prestigious beer competition — proclaimed Cloudburst Brewing as this year’s winner in the small brewery category for the grand title. Cloudburst has only seven full-time employees and sells about 95% of its beers within the city limits (so it’s probably a pretty good choice for visiting beer-lovers, and we even have a whole guide to Seattle’s breweries to check out). Other Seattle breweries took home prizes as well for individual beers like Stoup, Lowercase, and Reuben’s. (The Seattle Times)
🍽 The Seattle queen of soul food may make a return. Helen Coleman opened up Helen’s Diner on Union just south of 23rd in 1970. The likes of Richard Pryor, Muhammad Ali, and B.B. King all sought out Ms. Helen’s food while they were in town. Over the years, the original diner took on different iterations up till 2001 when the Nisqually earthquake destroyed their restaurant space, and Ms. Helen found work running kitchens other than her own. But now, her daughter has announced plans for a new endeavor, Ms. Helen’s Soul Bistro, which they hope to be a mostly grab-and-go spot with some seating. (Seattle PI)
🎸 Cafe Racer held a grand opening in its new Capitol Hill location over the weekend. (If you’re feeling bummed you missed their party on Saturday, sign up to be an Evergrey Extra member! We told them all about it in Friday’s newsletter.) The U District cafe closed its old space in July 2020 but found a new home in the former space of the nightclub Barça. They celebrated the cafe’s opening with performances by Taylar Elizza Beth, Velvet Q, Moroccan Dog, and others. Owners Jeff Ramsey and Cindy Anne are intent on championing local music — including smaller acts making their stage debut. (The Stranger)
