Fast Facts 

Saturday, Sept. 30, is SLO County's official Creek Clean Up Day. Fall is the perfect time to purge the trash and debris that accumulate in our local waterways, before the winter rains wash it into the ocean. Last year, volunteers collected more than five tons of trash, including bottles, cans, shopping carts, furniture, and appliances. Trash in the water is ugly and harmful to many animals and the creeks aren't just home to fish and frogs. They're part of our environment too. Cleanup begins at 9 a.m. throughout SLO County. To find a location in your neck of the woods, call 544-9096 or visit www.creekday.org.

Calling all artists: The SLO County Arts Council and the SLO County Community Foundation will be awarding five cash grants of $2,000 for local artists who produce works accessible to the community. Dancers, choreographers, composers, painters, printmakers, playwrights, screenwriters, actors, sculptors, multimedia artists, poets, lyricists, and performers of any kind are encouraged to submit an application before Nov. 1. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have been SLO residents for more than one year. Sound like someone you know? Spread the word and find out more at www.sloartscouncil.org or from Cynthia Anthony at 541-9005.

New Times intern Kylie Mendonca compiled this week's Strokes and Plugs. Send your business news to [email protected].