parties

Franco Valobra, Louisiana’s New Honorary Italian Consul, Honored at Grand French Quarter To-Do

Franco Valobra, Louisiana’s New Honorary Italian Consul, Honored at Grand French Quarter To-Do

Franco Valobra, Hon. Helena Moreno, Chris Meek

ONE OF HOUSTON'S favorite personalities and businessmen — Franco Valobra, who divides time between here and New Orleans — recently celebrated a high honor in his other home state of Louisiana. He was named Louisiana’s Honorary Consul for Italy, and he threw a grand party at the new Italian Honorary Consulate in the French Quarter to celebrate.

“The Italian-themed celebration at the new consulate on Royal Street included lot of Franciacorta toasting and two ribbon cuttings,” said a rep for Valobra. A red, white and green ribbon was cut by the Italian Consul General of Houston, the Honorable Mauro Lorenzini, and a blue ribbon, meant to represent the state flag of Louisiana, was cut by Helena Moreno, president of the New Orleans City Council.

Among other special notes, a car with an interesting history was parked outside. The 1966 Fiat 600 Multipla originally served as the official vehicle for the mayor of Firenze in the 1960s.

Dignitaries from both the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans turned out to toast Valobra. New Orleans City Councilman Eugene Green, and Judge Kevin Centanni of Jefferson Parish Court were among them. Honorable Consul members of Uruguay, the Phillipines, Latvia, Iceland, Albania, South Africa, Dominican Republic and others also attended.

The festivities continued at an after party at Brennan’s nearby.

Alberto Gonzales, Patti Murphy

Alexander Monteleone, Gabrielle Dupuy, Greer and David Monteleone, Euan Monteleone

Ashley Davis, Peter and Peggy Breslin

1966 Fiat Multipla

David DeLeon, Franco Valobra, Cecil and Katrina Arnim, Roxanne DeLeon

Franco Valobra, Mary Ann and David McKeithan

Lacey and Gibbons Monteleone, Gabrielle Dupuy, Alexander Monteleone

Mark and Lisa Ammerman

Tucker Crawford and Giorgio Valobra

promoted

Wellness Pro LeBrina Jackson on Gratitude at the Holidays: It’s a ‘Reset Button for my Mind’

Wellness Pro LeBrina Jackson on Gratitude at the Holidays: It’s a ‘Reset Button for my Mind’

LeBrina Jackson

AS WE GET into the holiday season, we’re reminded of what we have, what we want and what might be lacking. As Sheryl Crow says in her song, Soak up the Sun, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you've got.” We caught up with LeBrina Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, Texas, and learned how she tackles the holiday season with hope, love and most importantly, gratitude.

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parties

At Posh Tony’s Fete, Baly’s New Doctorate and Life of Service Honored

Alejandro Olivares

Gayla Gardner, Jacquie Baly and Julie Baker Finck

THE DOCTOR IS in! One of Houston’s most engaged civic leaders, Jacquie Baly, has a new title after earning her Doctorate in Education and Organizational Change & Leadership from USC. And some of the city’s heavy hitters turned up for a swanky reception at Tony’s to congratulate her. “Education and community leadership go hand in hand,” said Dr. Baly. “This honor fuels my continued mission to create meaningful change.”

And they weren’t alone in their admiration. Both the City of Houston and the State of Texas declared the day of the to-do “Dr. Jacquie Baly Day,” complete with official proclamations.

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Style+Culture

Spring into the Season with These Fun Events (That Don't Involve Rodeo Crowds)

Houston Arboretum

WE ALL LOVE a Rodeo, but sometimes we need options for events that have a different energy, speed — and crowd size. Check out some artsy, unique happenings around Houston in March!

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