If you want a real "taste" of Suffolk, please make plans to turn out Friday afternoon for the first Nosh on the Nansemond at Constant's Wharf.

Gates open at 4 p.m. About a dozen of our fine local eateries will be there offering samples of their delicious fare; there will be plenty of Miller beer and live music featuring the Calypso Nuts and Tootie and the DBG. All for just $20. It should be a blast.

I've been talking to some of the folks on the Nosh committee and it looks like we could reach our goal of 1,000 attendees. So not only will be having a lot of fun, but we'll be raising a lot of money for a good cause, the United Way campaign in Suffolk.

Ticket locations have been widely publicized n we had about 20 left at the News-Herald, last I heard n and I suggest you get an advance ticket today. Don't count on them being available at the gate, though they may be.

Friday is also the United Way's Day of Caring, which officially kicks off the 2005 communitywide campaign. Please give if approached at your place of work. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, it's not difficult to explain the importance of supporting agencies that make up our community's safety net. It could happen here, too.

The United Way, and the community, appreciates your support.