🌱 Volunteers Needed For Reading Program + Drive-Thru Safety Tips

Hello, everybody. Joyce Nash here with your fresh copy of the Huntsville Patch newsletter, filled with all the things you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Hot. High: 97 Low: 72.

Here are the top three stories in Huntsville today:

1. The Huntsville Dream Center (HDC) is seeking volunteers for its "Sonnie Side Up" reading program at Sonnie Hereford Elementary School. The program will kick off the week of Sep. 18, and HDC is recruiting 25 volunteers who can spend at least one hour a week reading to small groups of students. Volunteers will discuss the book with the students and assist them with their AR test. HDC is asking Sonnie Side Up volunteers to commit to a full semester to ensure the program runs smoothly. Click here to learn more about getting involved with HDC. (WHNT)
2. Local security experts are weighing in after a Tiktok video of a fast food worker showing a customer's debit card went viral. The video's rising popularity coincides with an incident in nearby Decatur where a fast-food worker was arrested after they allegedly took a customer's debit card information. An expert in cyber security at Auburn University said that identity thieves can sell pictures of debit or credit cards, and he recommended using cash in order to avoid handing your debit card to another person. Jonathan Kirby of Redstone Federal Credit Union recommended avoiding drive-thrus and paying inside with Apple or Samsung pay since these methods can be more secure than cards. (WAFF)
3. Staff members at Huntsville Animal Services are working hard to ensure the dogs at the shelter stay safe in the heat. While the dogs are taken outside for playtime, they are carefully monitored by staff members for excess panting. There are also pools of cool water kept outside for animals to soak in. Director of Huntsville Animal Services Dr. Karen Sheppard said that animals that are younger, older, or have health conditions are most likely to be negatively impacted by the heat. Sheppard recommended that pet owners ensure their animals have adequate shade when they go outside. (WHNT)

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Today in Huntsville:

Friday, August 25

• Fall Open House At University Pickers (10:00 AM)
• Rooftop Riffs Friday Featuring Jeremy Williams At Rhythm On Monroe (6:00 PM)
• PJ & The Bear At Yellowhammer Brewing (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• “Rania Matar: SHE” is a new exhibit now open at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Featuring 50 large-scale photographs, this exhibit explores coming-of-age themes with powerful images. (Huntsville Museum of Art via Facebook)
• Huntsville Parks and Recreation has announced an upcoming Fall for All event on Saturday, Oct. 7. This free event will be held at Big Spring Park from 2:00-5:00 p.m., and will feature live bluegrass music, games, crafts, and more. (Huntsville Parks and Recreation via Facebook)
• Open Mic Night is returning to Stand Up Live Huntsville on Friday, Sep. 8! Click here to sign up or find tickets. (Stand Up Live Huntsville via Facebook)

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Featured events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (August 29)
• Add your event

You're officially in the loop for today! See you soon for another update.

— Joyce Nash

About me: Joyce is a freelance writer and poet whose work has appeared in the Hello Gloria newsletter and Nine Cloud Journal. Her background ranges from journalism to fitness instruction and spans the east coast to the West. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two cats.