Shelby About Town

Fast cars & faster women Ferrari romp through Highland Village

The parking lot of Highland Village Shopping Center was loaded with millions inFerraris.
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Nancy Valobra and Franco Valobra
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Highland Village Shopping Center owner Haidar Barbouti
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Race car drivers Tracy Krohn, also and oil and gas man, and Nic Jonsson
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Natacha and Saverio LaFrancesca
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Tama Lundquist with son Cole Owen
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio
Shelby Hodge and Franco Valobra
Photo by Fulton Davenport: PWL Studio

Even in the chilly dampness of a cloudy Sunday afternoon, the collection of Ferraris filling the parking lot at Highland Village dazzled. More than three dozen high-speed, high-dollar sets of wheels were displayed like so many treasures at the fifth annual Highland Village Ferrari Festival.

Car buffs all but drooled over the magnificent collection in the show that event chairman Franco Valobra had organized along with Highland Village and PaperCity. A jeweler by trade, Valobra knows a thing or two about priceless luxuries. He was the founder of the Louisiana Ferrari club and remains its president even though he moved from New Orleans to Houston following Hurricane Katrina.

Speaking of luxuries, Ferrari of Houston owner Giuseppe Risi estimated that the value of the heavy metal on display was well into the millions of dollars. The vintage Ferrari 275, GTB 4, for example, is valued between $800,000 and $900,000. Most of the hot wheels, however, had more reasonable price tags such as the new California 459 priced at $225,000 or the Ferrari 599, yours for a mere $350,000.

With that kind of bounty within hand's reach, the photo ops seemed endless. There were probably more photos taken here than on the red carpet at the Academy Awards. Everyone wanted his portrait with a Ferrari. Nikons, Canons and iPhones were popping at every turn.

Star of the day was Ferrari owner and racing enthusiast Tracy Krohn, whoheld the center of attention not only for the car that took him to the podium twice at Le Mans but also for the chartreuse 18-wheeler, emblazoned with "Krohn Racing," that took up a good stretch of the block along Westheimer. Also a hit with the racing fans was the oil and gas man's chartreuse Grand Am that he will drive in Daytona at the end of January.

Ferrari fans included Ferrari Club of America Houston president Craig Harris, Nancy Valobra, Janine Iannarelli, Leslie Bennett, Roberto Garcia, Stash Bellon, Devina Sampson and Jordan Finn. As for the fast women, we aren't sure who they were but there was plenty of black leather and a good measure of Ferrari groupies in the mix.

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Party Watch

Distinguished Houston gents gather for Brioni’s grand opening

What: Brioni Grand Opening with Men of Distinction

Where: Brioni Boutique in River Oaks District

The scoop: Italian menswear designer Brioni celebrated the grand opening of its Houston flagship at River Oaks District with a luxurious evening that merged high fashion with philanthropy. The November 7 event featured a private preview of Brioni's Bespoke Trunk Show, spotlighting the brand’s tailored craftsmanship. Men of Distinction, a nonprofit honoring Houston's community leaders, took the opportunity to recognize its esteemed researchers and honorees, celebrating milestones in raising funds for critical medical research at Texas Medical Center.

Dr. Michael A. Belfort of Texas Children’s Hospital delivered remarks that highlighted Men of Distinction's contributions to pioneering medical procedures, such as life-changing surgeries for spina bifida. Guests enjoyed Italian prosecco, old-fashioned cocktails, and tastings from The Macallan’s 12- and 15-year single malts, along with Italian bites by Bari Ristorante. Attendees left with luxurious parting gifts, including a Brioni crocodile leather keychain and a spa experience at The Post Oak Hotel.

Photo by Gary Fountain

A.J. Williams with Andi and Ballard Infante.

Who: Jesse Tudor, Gary Peterson, Mike Linn and Carol Linn, Keith Mosing and Alice Mosing, David Wurthrich, Tom Perich and Debra Perich, Dancie Ware and Jim Ware, John Serpe, Molly Crownover, Kevin Gilliard and Frank Billingsley, Tracy Dieterich, Robert Bernard, A.J. Williams, and Andi and Ballard Infante.

brioni river oaks district fundraisers men of distinction