Friday Five: Literacy Night, Water Flushing, Hazardous Waste, Community Garden

Literacy night - Woonsocket Middle School is holding its annual Literacy Night on Thursday May 23, from 5-7 pm in the Hamlet Middle School Cafeteria. There will be food, games, books, and fun activities for the whole family.

Water flushing through June - Woonsocket's Water Division will flush city water pipes between April 22 to June 28 in the south-west part of the city, starting at Manville Rd. Unidirectional Flushing Program (UDF) is a method of cleaning the water mainlines through a network of flushing sequences with the water being discharged from a fire hydrant. In some cases, homes may experience a temporary drop in water pressure and/or discolored water. If your water is discolored, run cold water until it turns clear. (If you run hot water, the mineral deposits can settle into your water heater.)

Nixle - Woonsocket Police and Fire Departments  want to send a reminder about Nixle.  During the snowstorm residents received a phone message with information from Nixle. They 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.

Hazardous Waste Collection May 11 - Mark May 11 for Hazardous Waste Collection Day in the city. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Woonsocket Public Services Division Facility, 943 River St.

What is Household Hazardous Waste?
A substance is hazardous if it falls into any of the following categories:

•Toxic: poisonous or lethal when ingested, absorbed, touched or inhaled
•Flammable/Combustible: ignites under almost all conditions
•Corrosive/Caustic: deteriorates metal and causes irreversible alteration of livingtissue by chemical action
•Reactive: creates an explosion or produces deadly vapors, such as oil-based paint

Hazardous materials often bear the labels, "Danger", "Warning", "Caution",and "Poison". Many products contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which areextremely hazardous to human health. Misusing or mishandling products can result inserious injury, burns, permanent damage to human tissue and organs, severe illness suchas cancer, and death.

Appointments are recommended and can be obtained by calling 942-1430 extension 241. This collection day is open to all Rhode Island residents. Other items that can also be dropped off are: Propane tanks, car batteries, clothes, books,Styrofoam, rigid plastic, metals, TV’s, all electronics and cardboard.
Questions can be directed to the Solid Waste Division at (401) 767-8880.

Community garden -The GrowUp Community Garden has several plots still available for rent for community members who wish to grow food or herbs. The garden, which is beginning its fifth season, is located adjacent to the Woonsocket Harris Public Library on land donated by the Pawtucket YMCA . The cost for renting a 4’x10’ raised bed is $20 for the season. As a condition of the rental contract it is requested that 10% of the plot’s yield be donated to one of the participating local food pantries. For more information, please contact Wendy Pires at 401-235-6096 or wpires@famresri.org. Information about the garden is also available by visiting  the Family Resources Community Action website at www.famresri.org