The center court of the Staten Island Mall in New Springville will be transformed into a country western themed casino for an entertaining night at the College of Staten Island’s (CSI) Casino Round up on Sunday, February 26, 2006 from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

The event is the third annual casino-themed fundraiser for the College of Staten Island. Proceeds will benefit student scholarship programs and undergraduate research opportunities at CSI.

Jim Easley, vice president and general manager of the Staten Island Mall, is chairing the event. Mr. Easley has chaired CSI’s casino-themed fundraiser since its inception in 2004, is president of the CSI Foundation board of directors, and an adjunct lecturer with the college’s business department.

CSI Casino Round Up will feature blackjack, roulette, and other games of chance. Poker players can pay $50. to buy a seat in a timed Texas Hold’em Tournament. The player with the most chips when time is up wins a house party of Texas Hold’em or Blackjack, complete with dealer and table, donated by event partner Tumbling Dice.

Live musical entertainment will be provided by Staten Island’s foremost country band, The Nashville Attitude, who recently appeared at Gracie Mansion for Mayor Bloomberg’s Country Music Awards celebration.

The Staten Island Mall has provided the grand raffle prize of a weeklong vacation for two to Acapulco. Other raffle prizes include use of a luxury suite for up to 20 people for one game in the 2006 season of the SI Yankees, a Dine-Around Staten Island package that includes a $50 gift certificate to the American Grill, A Day of Beauty donated by Pilo Arts in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and a digital camera and accessories, as well as various gift baskets.

The ticket price for Casino Night is $150, which includes $50 in gaming chips, entertainment, raffle tickets, and food and beverages. The menu will include multiple seafood stations, a country buffet, hors d’oeuvres, and an open bar with frozen margaritas as the featured beverage. Country and western attire is suggested.

For additional information and reservations, please call Donna Lindsay in the College of Staten Island’s advancement office at (718) 982-2365.