A sure bet

The Founders Club opened its doors the other night for some serious playtime. A crowd joined in a "Casino Extravaganza" and had a ball playing Vegas games.

The real winner? The United Way of Sarasota County, whose senior vice president, Katie Knight, received a check at evening's end for $7,500.

It was thanks to The Founders Club developers Tom Brown, Jay Tallman and Fred Starling, who anted up the final funds to meet the evening's goal.

Head chef Marco Marini did a fab job with food stations, and also on hand was the club's management Joseph Iafe and Ian Fetigan, Valerie Soroker, and party planners Bobbie Ayers and Annette and Larry Fraczek