The Seventh Annual WSOY Community Food Drive to collect at least 300,000 pounds of food for the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities will be 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. today at Kroger, 1818 Airport Plaza.

Cash and food donations may be dropped off during the event, and pledges can be made by calling 875-3350.

Other sponsors of the drive are the Herald & Review, J.L. Hubbard Insurance & Bonds, Skeff Distributing, Archer Daniels Midland Co., Decatur Back & Neck Center, Jones & Thomas, Ticket-N-Trips and WAND-TV.

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Next of Kiln is all fired-up about the pottery business.

The pottery studio, begun as a hobby by teacher and artist Regina Rhodes more than 15 years ago, recently has outgrown its home studio and moved to a storefront at 190 Debby Drive in Mount Zion.

Rhodes uses the location to teach the art of pottery while operating an "open door" policy, where people can walk in anytime to paint and decorate pre-made pottery items. She even hosts pottery decorating bridal showers, birthday parties and corporate team-building events.

"In that case a group might come in here and do an activity that involves some type of communications skill," explained Rhodes. "Somebody explaining the design they want painted on a coffee mug and the next person has to paint it. It's not speed dating, but it's just as good, ? and you get to take what you make home with you."

Rhodes, who was named Teacher of the Year by the Decatur Arts Council, said her business has grown steadily. Prices range from $75 for a five-week course using the pottery wheel to $10 to decorate a coffee mug. Pottery students can also practice their art at the studio for $8 an hour, no appointment necessary.

Next of Kiln is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., and noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Sundays and Mondays are set aside for birthday parties and other reserved events. For more information, call 864-9300 or e-mail Rhodes at nextofkiln ceramics@comcast.net.

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Diners who present a special flyer at the Texas Roadhouse on Monday, Oct. 13, will see 10 percent of their bill go to Project Success, which operates the Right Track Truancy Reduction Initiative and other programs benefitting students. To get a flyer, e-mail les@projsuccess.org, call 421-8074 or stop by Project Success at 310A W. William St. in Decatur.

On Biz, published Fridays in the Herald & Review, highlights business developments. Theresa Churchill contributed to this column. treid@herald-review.com|421-7977 clusvardi@herald-review.com|421-7972