Misc.

When I make the blessing after going to the bathroom, do I need to make sure my hands are dry, like when washing for eating bread I know to dry my hands before making the blessing on the bread?

Why did my neighbor already begin saying Selichot (special supplications asking forgiveness) at his synagogue, but at our synagogue our Rabbi said we will begin closer to Rosh Hashana, after Shabbat on the first of September? Thank you.