Table of contents for Summer 2021 in Chic Compass

Welcome to the latest edition of Chic Compass magazine! We felt the front cover we chose for this summer’s release says it all. Oscar Picazo’s photograph reflects the times we are all living in today. As we are cautious and somewhat optimistic during this time, our memories are too fresh not to recall what we have experienced during these last 18 months, imprisoned in masks. But, as we release the all-encompassing mask, the roses arrive, offering new beginnings and hope that a new life can emerge from what has felt like a very long Midsummer Night’s Dream. Feeling very much like Titania, the queen of the fairies in Shakespeare’s famous play, after awakening from what seemed to be a very surreal dream, I find myself questioning what exactly did occur…

South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island moves from Covid to captivating the tourist market once again as more people make their way south in an almost pent-up desire to relax, refresh, and rejuvenate after a year of closures and quarantines. While suitable health protocols are now the new normal, breathing the fresh sea air while buoyed by the lulling, lapping waves of the iridescent Gulf of Mexico, one can forget the emotional and physical turmoil of the previous year. In her book, the Gift of the Sea, author Anne Morrow Lindbergh, observed: “The beach is not a place to work, to read or write. One is forced against one’s mind against all tidying resolutions, back into the ancient rhythms of the seashore.” In this world of endless distractions, Lindbergh…

Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones have a renewed sense of hope now that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration approved the first Alzheimer’s drug in nearly two decades. Dr. Kate Zhong, MD, MSC, FRCP (C), and her husband Dr. Jeffrey Cummings, MD, SCD, said the historic decision—announced coincidentally in June during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month—will give doctors the ability to treat patients with Biogen’s Aducanumab (under the brand name Aduhelm) in the early phases of the irreversible, progressive brain disorder. “This is great news for the world,” says an enthusiastic Dr. Zhong. “The drug is not just tackling the symptoms, but it can potentially change the overall course of Alzheimer’s disease.” Adds Dr. Cummings, “We think we have turned the corner in the field of being able to…

Fashion strikes back in a triumphant return showcasing art in a healing world. LU-NAR, hosted by the Sonoran - Palm Springs, was a masterpiece presentation and a refreshing revival in the world of fashion. I think we can all agree the global pandemic came on completely unexpected. It has affected every part of our day-to-day lives and will undoubtedly reshape how we view and experience the world. Everything was brought to a standstill, and fashion was no exception. However, Metropolitan Fashion and RunwayFX said, “Enough is enough,” and bravely stepped back into the world of the runway. The show was a beautiful collaboration of art, design, music, wine, and photography. In this time of uncertainty, we all need to relish the happy moments when we can. This delightful combined effort…

The Las Vegas entertainment industry is fierce and unforgiving—totally savage to has-beens and second-rate attempts. And as cut-throat as the fashion world—one day you’re in, and the next day you’re out. So imagine the odds of a single performer crashing through the vortex of this white-hot creative cauldron before his 25th birthday. That’s the happy predicament of Patrick Hogan, UNLV master’s student by day and professional performer by night. He’s starring at the posh Mayfair Supper Club at the Bellagio, headlining at The Vegas Room and The Nevada Room, and appearing in limelighted gigs all over town like the Underground Speakeasy series at The Mob Museum. Tom Michel, president of The Vegas Room, describes Patrick as a jazz wunderkind and musical savant. “Mix his compositions and performance renditions with the…

Don’t you love our cover by the renowned Oscar Picazo? It says so much about the possibilities that lay ahead for us after a time of introspection and unrest. In the photograph, there is a sense of endurance, beauty, love, and lightness. And that is what this issue of Chic Compass magazine is all about. Our multi-talented writers have once again done a splendid job to bring us stories that demonstrate our willingness to forge ahead during tough times, doing what we do best. On the health side, there is an interview with the outstanding husband/wife team, Drs. Kate Zhong and Jeffrey Cummings, a driving force behind the clinical trial that led to the drug’s path to passage to help Alzheimer’s patients. During COVID, there was an increase in the…

I first met Quincella Rivers through a mutual friend, where we gathered to support the Forgotten Song Foundation and the arts. That was just before her first book of poetry, “Think of Me When You Drink Tea,” was published in 2017. By reading her book, I learned that as a child, Quin had a speech impediment because of her hearing impairment. “She was self-conscious of her speech and found solace in writing. When she was eleven, her mother bought her a diary, and Quin began to write. The words flowed as she found a healthy outlet for her emotions, and as the words began to rhyme, young Quin realized she was a poet.” Since that first meeting, Quin and I have become friends, and I was excited to be the…

Recently, I was fortunate to attend an exhibit of Dorit Schwartz’s Light Within Collection at the World Market. I was enthralled with how she combined exquisite polished exotic wood pieces with stunning crystals strategically placed within the creation that sparkled and shimmered with light directed upon them. It took my breath away to see how her creations reflected the contrasting energies of the chakras from the earth tones to the heavens. Another stunning element presented was that of dancers from the Nevada Ballet creating the effect of ‘poetry in motion’ as they moved throughout the space, giving life to the sculptures. I couldn’t wait to see more of her work. Luckily for me, I’d be the one to write the article about her for Chic Compass magazine. When the day…

Every once in a while, a book comes along that every woman should read. ANGELS OUT OF THE DARK is one of them. Can fate really change someone’s life? Tiffany Darling has her doubts when she’s picked up off the street and asked to become one of the Angels out of the Dark. She and the other three angels (each with her unforgettable story) have to bond together to help other women escape their circumstances of working on the streets. Trouble brews when they take in a young girl who runs from them and is hunted by her abuser. It is a race to the end. Can the angels save her? Angels Out of the Dark is an empowering story for every woman who has come to a fork in…

Mental health is a subject that society has stigmatized, and no one wants to talk about it. It includes depression, anxiety, and other pressures and affects everyone in varying degrees. The Community Counseling Center [“CCC”] normalizes these issues, along with the fear that people have in taking that first step in getting treatment. One of the most critical elements of destigmatizing mental health challenges is providing a client-focused approach and creating a safe space for compassionate and professional care. Education is essential for understanding and normalizing the idea that mental health is not a debilitating condition. It could be as simple as being burned out and having difficulty doing daily tasks or dealing with grief. There is nothing too small that can qualify as a mental health issue. COVID-19…