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    Shelby's Social Diary

    Fast cars, hot women and big spenders with cigars turn showy luxury car dealership into a rocking nightclub

    Shelby Hodge
    Mar 7, 2014 | 3:39 pm

    From the elevated lanes of the Southwest Freeway, the new Audi Central Houston headquarters looked like a seven-story disco. Inside the spanking new dealership (formerly Momentum Audi), the scene was indeed Studio 54 — with cars.

    More than 1,400 ready-to-party revelers poured in for the grand opening bash that spread across all floors of the auto emporium, illuminated indoors and out in swaths of swirling red and lavender lighting. Black-tie attired hosts directed guests to activities on various floors where the party action included DJ Sun and saxophonist Andre Killian, DJ Senega, break dancers and The Dolls, the New York-based DJ and electric violinist duo.

    VIPs headed to the second floor garage level where their special status provided access to the oyster bar/cigar lounge where champagne flowed and stogies were hand-rolled on the spot, compliments of Heights Cigar Lounge. Macallan and other premium scotches were poured. Fetching lasses in body-hugging black cocktail dresses circulated through promoting Circulo Tequila. Ligne Roset provided the sleek lounge furnishings where the big spenders rested their wallets.

    Moving through the chichi crowd, Jared Lang, Audi Central Houston GM, attired in black-tie, remarked, "It's a who's who of Houston and we're introducing them to the largest Audi dealership in North America." Lang, who has been with Audi for 14 years, added that the new car shop, the perfect party place, has already hosted a number of charity fundraisers and he has more on the books for the coming months.

    Across the party floors A Fare Extraordinaire presided over the menu of scrumptious goodies that kept coming and coming — deviled quail eggs, mini duck confit sandwiches, lamb meatballs, ceviche and more. Karen Lerner and her entire team were on hand to insure party perfection. "You can tell it's Jared's dealership," Lerner noted as she surveyed the luxe surroundings and lavish party atmosphere.

    Of course, the 300,000 sq.ft. party landscape was furnished with a priceless assembly of magnificent cars ranging from the $198,000 R8 to the Q5 with a starting price of around $37,000. On the service floor, the German autos were mounted on lifts at various heights, the car lights on. A moving visual. In the mix was Yuri Poshumensky, Audi Central Houston assistant sales manager and the top Audi salesman in the world.

    Audi sent in the big guns for the ribbon cutting including Audi of America president Scott Keogh, Sonic Automotive president Scott Smith, and Audi executive VP and COO Mark Del Rosso.

    Overnight car enthusiasts included Maryam Afshari, Angela and Owen Daniels, Michael Chabala, DeVier Posey, Cindi and Dr. Franklin Rose, Pierce Bush, Jacquie Baly, Dr. Yasmine Haddad, Michael Mandola, Claudia Solis, Haden and Dr. Michael Yafi, Stuart Rosenberg, Leisa Holland-Nelson and Robert Davenport and Ceron.

    Jentry Kelley, left, and Cindi Rose.

      
    Photo by © Daniel Ortiz
    Jentry Kelley, left, and Cindi Rose.
    unspecified
    news/society

    Dignity Delivered

    Houston Furniture Bank turns compassion into comfort for kids

    Joel Luks
    May 30, 2025 | 11:00 am
    Houston Furniture Bank gala 2025
    Photo by Daniel Ortiz
    Dean Todd, Stacey Todd, Cinde Matocha, and Gary Matocha.

    A child sleeping on the floor isn’t just a statistic — it’s a crisis. And on May 8, more than 400 guests packed River Oaks Country Club to do something about it.

    The Furniture Bank’s No Kids on the Floor gala, chaired by advocates and board members Francie and Mike Willis, raised more than $300,000, a record-breaking figure for the organization. The funds support its mission to provide beds to the estimated 300,000 children in Houston without one, a mission that has already placed more than 4,000 beds since the program launched in 2018.

    The evening, emceed by Linda Lorelle, featured the moving video highlighting founder Oli Mohammed and the organization’s impact. Ralph Marek was posthumously honored as the night’s Legacy Honoree, with his son Stan Marek accepting on behalf of the family. The inaugural Jodie Hoffer Community Service Award — named for the late Furniture Bank champion — was presented to Youval Meicler of Texas Mattress Makers, whose support has been both generous and hands-on.

    A heartfelt speech from the eldest child of a family served by the organization reminded the crowd what this night was really about: Dignity, safety, and the power of something as simple as a bed.

    Pianist Doug Montgomery provided the soundtrack for the evening, while Johnny Bravo rallied the room for a spirited live auction and appeal. Elegant florals by H-E-B, a sold-out Giving Tree, and a silent auction featuring rare wine lots rounded out the festivities.

    In attendance were Ben Marek, Roz and Alan Pactor, Scott and Samantha Hoffer, Karen and Larry Cress, Michele Meicler, Jody Merritt, Christine Johnson, Janice Hall, Hershey Grace and Ed McMahon, Cinde and Gary Matocha, Edna Meyer Nelson, Jeff and Harry Cummins, Lisa and Bob Gulitti, Regina Rogers, Steve Finger, Frank Monacelli and Gloria Nino-Monacelli, Danna and Hal Lynde, Allison and Stuart Peterson, Jill and John Parsley, Molly and Miles Marks, Kip Altstaetter, Frank Billingsley and Kevin Gilliard, Audrey and Phillip Davis, Michael Galloway, Laura Ward, Cathy and Bud Geisinger.

    Houston Furniture Bank gala 2025
      

    Photo by Daniel Ortiz

    Dean Todd, Stacey Todd, Cinde Matocha, and Gary Matocha.

    fundraisershouston furniture bank
    news/society
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