New members join Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame

Anthony Zuiker, Rich Little, Nancy Houssels and Tom Schoeman are the latest members of the Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame.

The four were honored Sept. 20 during a ceremony in Artemus Ham Hall on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus.

The Nevada Entertainer/Artist Hall of Fame was founded to recognize Nevada residents who have made a significant impact on the arts, including visual and performing arts and architecture.

Recipients are given the Sidney Award, named for Academy Award-winning director and Las Vegas resident George Sidney, who was posthumously inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame at UNLV.

Casey Smith, news anchor at KTNV-TV, Channel 13 served as master of ceremonies.

Presenting the Sidney Awards were Jeffrey Koep, dean of the college of fine arts at UNLV; Mrs. George (Corinne) Sidney; and John Klai, architect and a winner of a Sidney Award last year.

Few have experienced the rapid success that Zuiker has encountered in Hollywood. He is the creator of the hit television series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," which now has two spinoffs on the CBS schedule. All three shows are popular.

Zuiker graduated from Chaparral High School and worked as a tram operator at The Mirage before "CSI."

Little mimicked the voices of his teachers, and at 17 began performing in nightclubs before going to work as a disc jockey. He went on to appear on many variety shows, including "The Tonight Show."

He entertained at President Reagan's inaugural ball and was the master of ceremonies at the Constitution Ball of George W. Bush in 2005. Earlier this year, Little hosted the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.

Prior to the introduction of Houssels, the audience watched film clips of Nancy Claire performing with dance partner Francois Szony on "The Ed Sullivan Show," among others. In 1968, Szony and Claire were the closing act in "Folies Bergere" at the Tropicana, where Nancy met hotel president J. Kell Houssels and they were married.

In 1972, she co-founded the Nevada Dance Theatre (later named the Nevada Ballet Theatre), and has chaired or co-chaired the ballet company for 36 years.

Architect Schoeman has been chief executive officer of JMA for the past 20 years. He led the company from a small, local company to a large, nationally recognized design firm. His achievements have won him the American Institute of Architects' Nevada Silver Medal.

His recent works include the World Market Center, One Queensridge Place, Veterans Administration Hospital plus numerous projects for the Clark County School District, Clark County and the State of Nevada.

Corinne Sidney announced that three UNLV students will receive George Sidney Scholarships to pursue their education.

Helping hand: HELP of Southern Nevada honored Madeleine Andress, Michaelene "Mikey" Bilbray and Mary Hausch during its annual Tea, Trends & Tranquility fundraiser Sept. 20 at the Four Seasons.

Guests sipped champagne and participated in a silent auction before the formal tea. HELP's Executive Director Terrie Stanfill introduced the afternoon's mistress of ceremonies, weathercaster Sherry Swensk of KLAS-TV, Channel 8

Andress has been a generous supporter of Bishop Gorman High School, HELP of Southern Nevada, Junior League of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Nathan Adelson Hospice and the UNLV Foundation, among many others that have benefited from her family's foundation.

Bilbray has served on many community boards and was a founding member and director for the Juvenile Diabetes Association-Las Vegas Chapter. She has received woman of the year awards from the American Diabetes Association and the Clark County Women's Club.

Hausch has been a board trustee of HELP of Southern Nevada since 1980 and started the community alternative sentencing program and helped bring the displaced homemaker program to the agency. Currently, she is a member of the state board for the Education & Counseling of Displaced Homemakers, a member of the Junior League Sustainers and the city of Las Vegas Historic Preservation Commission.

The fall fashion show was presented by Macy's.

For 35 years, HELP of Southern Nevada has assisted families and individuals attain self-sufficiency.