Finally Friday Five: Supplemental Tax Tuesday, Flyby, Give Blood, Nixle

Supplemental Tax - The Woonsocket Budget Commission will discuss how to assess tax bills to increase the city's 2012 tax levy by 4.5 percent Tuesday, since Monday is President's Day. The increase is one element of the Commission's plan to fix the city's $14.5 million deficit over the next five years. They'll meet at City Hall in Harris Hall at 3 p.m.

Flyby - Good news: Near Earth Asteroid 2012 DA14 will not smack the Earth today. But it will come inside the Earth's ring of geosynchronous sattellites, NASA reports, making its closest approach at 17:26 UTC, or 2:26 noon Eastern Standard time. Its size is thought to be about 45 meters in diameter. It will appear slightly fainter than the naked eye can detect, so you'll have to take NASA's word for it. Unless their math is wrong.

Give blood - In the wake of the blizzard and widespread power outages, the Rhode Island Blood Center lost nearly 600 blood donations, making it vital for donors, particularly platelet donors, to consider donating blood, helping to avoid a shortage. There'll be some local blood drives to give citizens a shot at helping out:

• 2168 Diamond Hill Road, Pavilion Plaza, Thursday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Family Resources Community Action, 245 Main St., Tuesday Feb. 19 from 12 to 4 p.m. on the third floor.

Nixle - After the recent snowstorm the Woonsocket Police and Fire Department  want to send a reminder about Nixle.  During the snowstorm residents received a phone message with information from Nixle.  We are encouraging all residents and interested parties to sign up for Nixle’s OPT IN notification alerts.  You will be able to choose what messages you want to be informed of including emergency alerts, public safety updates, or community event information. You can receive Nixle messages on your cell phone, tablet, or other device.

"Our goal is to enhance public safety and keep residents informed with up to date and accurate information," said Det. Jamie Paone, WPD's public information officer.

Trash Pickup Delay -  Due to the conditions of some of the roadways and sidewalks in the city, collection is delayed by one day for the week.