Pasadena Museum of History to honor "Contemporary History Makers"

On Saturday, October 3, four individuals will join the elite group of men and women who have been honored by Pasadena Museum of History as "Contemporary History Makers" since the award was inaugurated in 2000. A Contemporary History Maker is defined as an individual whose civic passion, innovative design, or charitable interests continue to shape Pasadena's unique and rich heritage.

The 2009 honorees are:
Larry Mantle
Denise Nelson Nash
Sid & Betsey Tyler

The awards will be presented at a gala dinner and auction on the beautiful grounds of Pasadena Museum of History on Saturday, October 3, at 6:30 p.m. In addition, a select group of former Museum Trustees will be inducted into the PMH Honorary Board of Directors. This event is sponsored by Bon Appetit Management Co., Your Great Event, and Avery Dennison; Media Sponsor is KPCC.

TICKETS: The 2009 Contemporary History Maker Awards Dinner is open to the public, with tickets starting $150. Sponsorship opportunities are also available at $2,000, $3,000, and $5,000 levels. Proceeds from this event benefit the Pasadena Museum of History's educational programs. To reserve tickets or for further information, please call 626.577.1660, ext. 11 or visit the Museum’s website: www.pasadenahistory.org.

Larry Mantle is well-known for his in-depth interviews with leaders in the fields of politics, science, medicine, entertainment, and the arts. Airing on 89.3 KPCC for more than 20 years, Mantle’s interview/call-in program AirTalk is the longest continuously running daily talk radio program in southern California . In addition to politicians and celebrities, Mantle’s memorable interviews include PMH curators and speakers, such as Ardis Willwerth and Dr. Robert Winter.

Denise Nelson Nash is currently the Assistant Vice President, Public Events at Caltech, and she was formerly the Executive Director of the Arts, City of Pasadena . Denise’s volunteer activities include serving as President of the Tournament of Roses Foundation, Friends of Cleveland Elementary School, the Pasadena Symphony Advisory Council, and Scripps College Alumnae Council. She has also been involved with coordinating numerous programs at PMH.

Sid & Betsey Tyler -- Sid joined the Pasadena City Council in 1997, and continued to serve as a councilmember for 12 years. He is credited with helping guide Pasadena through the risky and complicated deregulation of the power industry in the late 1990s. This year, Tyler has served his community as a trustee of Pasadena Community Foundation, Pacific Asia Museum, CHAP Clinic in NW Pasadena, and Eastern Sierra Land Trust. Betsey has served as a state ombudsman for nursing home care and as head of the women’s committee for the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens. Currently, Betsey is a member of the Union Station Foundation Board of Directors and serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Southwest Chamber Music. Both Sid and Betsey are long time supporters of the local community and PMH - having first joined Pasadena Museum of History 20 years ago.