If you've been to one fundraiser you've been to them all. Same silent auction items. Same deep fried appetizers. Same bland chicken entree.

What if you could whisk your taste buds to another country for the night enjoying the music, food, wine, art and ambiance? How much would you pay? What about $75?

Taste of Tuscany on November 7 takes you on a sensual adventure to the Tuscan region of Italy. The downtown Columbia Club clicks its Aigner heels three times and becomes a multi level Italian experience.

Here are a few highlights of the dozens of wines you will taste that night.

• Tenuta Vino Nobile de Montepulciano
• Masa Canali Pinot Grigio
• Il Poggione Rosso di Montalcino
• Santa Margherita Prosecco
• Dievole Broccato
• Ca'Marcanda by Gaja Promis

Not enough space to list the long menu of regional food and sweets included or the out of the ordinary silent auction items or fabulous values in the Italian Market.

But space enough to say that all proceeds benefit the Indianapolis Ronald McDonald House and RMH in Riley Hospital for Children. These spaces are life saving connections for families whose children are fighting for life at Riley Hospital. Only a small percent of funding comes from McDonalds restaurants. The rest comes from donations. Like this one. Simple things like electricity, cereal, bedding. THAT is where your money goes. Each cent purposefully spent. Learn more at www.rmh-indiana.org

by Casey Ailes

During the November 7th event 'Taste of Tuscany' there will be not only wonderful food creations by some of the city's best chefs, wine to tickle your taste buds, but there will be art surrounding the four floors of the market inspired event! Featured on this night will be some of the city's finest artists up on the auction block to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House, but shhh, this is a silent auction, so get your bids in early.

Local artists Gayla Hodson and Robin Peet have donated their Italian inspired works to this heart-warming event, along with a feature painting 'Tuscan Classic' to be finished by Brian Morris on site. Also on this night, nationally recognized painter Jim Salem's 'Ratatouille' limited edition Giclee will be on the bid list, don't miss the opportunity to support this cause and the artists who were inspired by the Italian Countryside.