5 Things You Need to Know Today, April 27

Today is Friday, April 27. Here are five things to know today in Peabody.

1. Best florist poll: This week's closes for voting at 9 a.m. The winner will then be announced at noon.
2. Habitat fundraiser tonight: Habitat for Humanity-North Shore is holding its awards ceremony tonight to thank local leaders and annual auction to raise funds for affordable housing projects at the Danversport Yacht Club. To purchase tickets for Habitat for Humanity-North Shore’s, “Green Building Sustainable Living Annual Auction 2012,” visit www.habitatforhumanity-northshore.com/. Tickets are $45 online, but can also be purchased at the door for $50. Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner, drinks, silent auction and live auction to follow.
3. Celebrating the big win: Mayor Ted Bettecourt will Saturday at the .
4. Shredding Sunday: Freedman Financial is offering to help out with a little spring cleaning this Sunday. From 9 a.m. - noon, Universal Shredding will be on hand at 8 Essex Center Dr. to shred your old bills, tax returns, bank statements, etc, on the spot, and it's free.
5. Count the smelt: Salem Sound Coastwatch, a local watershed protection organization, will be conducting its annual Rainbow Smelt Count and fish sampling demonstration on the banks of the North River today at 12:30 p.m.At this event, aquatic biologists from the Division of Marine Fisheries who have been monitoring rainbow smelt in the North River will report on efforts to restore this once-plentiful fish and show samples of the morning's catch. The event is free and open to the public. Meet along the railroad tracks at Howley Street and Harmony Grove Road near the Salem/Peabody line. Park in the parking lot. For more information call 978-741-7900 or visit www.salemsound.org.

And here's even a sixth thing -- don't forget GreenFest 2012 is this Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the . OK, and a seventh -- two local salons are participating in a Saturday to benefit Children's Hospital Boston.