From the Editor
BY JOAN S. PECK
Winter is a time of reflection—a great occasion to appreciate all Las Vegas offers. As you read our articles, you will be reminded how fortunate you are to live in this vibrant community that provides so much. Chic Compass is filled with stories about music, art, fashion, philanthropic opportunities, travel, educational information, and people giving back to society. It is an issue rightly named ONE FROM THE HEART.
We begin with those giving back to the community. Sam Ryan Heideri graces our cover and demonstrates with his law firm, HGL, that they step beyond regular business to provide added benefits not only to his clients but to the community as a whole.
Once again, David Tupaz curated beautiful fashions that will make you swoon, photographed in London by the renowned Jaime Lim. The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) goes to Hollywood with the recent launch of the Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Los Angeles. Read about Axis DeBruyn, who is known for lighting the stages of so many. The Gypsy Room has reopened. View it in all its glory!
We return to New Orleans—this time for a fabulous look at the long-awaited opening of the Liberation Pavillion at the National WWII Museum honoring World War II veterans.
How lucky are we that George Carden rescued Jungle Palace (the home of Seigfried and Roy) from destruction! Fortunately, he has been able to repurchase many of the items previously auctioned, and soon, you might be lucky enough to see them for yourself when you attend or hold your event there.
We are fortunate to have so many HEART-felt articles where people with tender hearts are making a huge difference:
- The Collaboration Center helps and brings hope to families with disabilities.
- CORE empowers, enriches, and educates underserved children and their families through two-generational programming.
- Hope for Prisoners assists with re-entry by providing the formerly incarcerated long-term support and services. Through this organization, people released from prison work to reclaim their lives, families, and standing in the community.
- Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) offers basic needs resources, housing, education, employment, health and wellness, youth leadership development, and systems-level advocacy services and programs to support its mission of eliminating homelessness among youth in Southern Nevada.
What soothes the soul? Music, of course, and art. Read about the Piano Men of Bellagio and Stephanie Payne. Don’t forget to read the fascinating article about the rebirth of Tanna Frederick. You’ll delight in reading about Alexander Franco, a fascinating artist known for his enormous sculptures for the Bellagio Gardens, portraits or abstracts for commission, and his artistic work.
Will the U.S. retain the model as the primary reserve currency in the world financial markets? Read the business article and decide for yourself.
As you read each piece in this issue, I believe you will realize, as I do, how very fortunate we are to live in a world filled with so many inspiring people, events, and opportunities.
We can’t wait for you to see what we have waiting for you in this current edition. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did to create it for you.