Thing: Sons of Italy Pasta Feed

Held: Last weekend        

Purpose: Fundraiser

And: All-around Italian gathering

Also called: Spaghetti Feed

Or: Italian Supper

Either way: There are meatballs involved

Where everything: Is handmade

And the wine: Flows heavily

With its popular and widely attended fundraising feast held annually in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School's cafeteria, the Tacoma chapter of Sons of Italy feeds more than 600 people in one afternoon while raising money for local charitable causes. Every year, attendees count on indulging in a heaping plate of the best handmade sauce, handmade meatballs and handmade sausage in town. As an added bonus, only the cheapest red wine served by the jug will replenish the bottomless plastic glass provided to you at the beginning of your meal.

Take it from me: After that first glass you don't even care that you're being served from a jug of wine with a screw top. Bring it on, Gallo family.

How do I know this? Not only am I a world famous cheap red wine expert (in my own mind), but I am also a loyal attendee of Sons of Italy's annual pasta feed. Thanks to my awesome in-laws, I've never had to pay for my all-inclusive $12 ticket, which also comes with dessert.

Oh, and by "dessert" I mean one of those ice cream cups that comes with a wooden "spoon" attached to the lid. I could eat those by the dozen.

Tony DeRosa is the head chef of said amazing Italian feast, as he usually is during any family gathering. He is, after all, the best sauce and meatball maker in all of Tacoma. I'm not saying this because I married into DeRosa Italian greatness, but because he really is a fantastic meal-maker.

Delicious, locally made Verone sausage graced attendees' paper plates at last weekend's event, as it does every year. I had seconds. I always have seconds when Verone sausage is involved - no hesitation.

Last weekend all 165 Sons of Italy members volunteered endless hours - setting up the event, selling tickets, cooking, procuring raffle items and hand-rolling 1,700 generously sized meatballs.

A rose bush, Italy-themed soccer ball and a case of Verone sausage was part of the raffle, while "Speak Softly Love" (Godfather Theme Song) played in the background.

Next year I just might warn you about this event ahead of time. But it's already hard enough sharing this event with 599 other people; I can only imaging if all you yahoos started showing up.