California Museum Update: Rob Lowe Will Be Special Guest

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Museum, home of the California Hall of Fame, welcomes Visit California's celebrity spokesperson Rob Lowe as a special guest at the California Hall of Fame on Thurs., Dec 8, 2011. Lowe will join the official State of California ceremony to applaud Californians whose accomplishments have impacted not just the state, but the nation and the world.

"We are delighted that Mr. Lowe will be joining us as a special guest at the sixth annual California Hall of Fame," said Dori Dennis Moorehead, Executive Director of The California Museum. "Mr. Lowe is a fitting and welcome addition to our evening celebrating the state's visionaries who inspire us all to achieve the California Dream."

"The heart and soul of this state lies in its people," said Lowe. "I am honored to have the opportunity to join the Governor and First Lady to recognize this year's inductees for pursuing their dreams, demonstrating perseverance and inspiring generations of Californians."

Continuing the tradition of honoring legendary trailblazers who embody the Golden State's innovative spirit, the California Hall of Fame highlights a broad range of California achievements by honoring the citizens who have impacted the world across a wide variety of fields, such as science, philanthropy, sports, business, entertainment, literature, fitness, technology, activism and politics.

The list of Californians scheduled to be honored by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. and First Lady Anne Brown with the presentation of "Spirit of California" medals includes:

• Moon explorer and astronaut Buzz Aldrin
• Surf rock legends The Beach Boys
• Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn
• Community activist Father Gregory Boyle
• Entrepreneurs and philanthropists Doris and Donald Fisher
• Basketball superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson
• Disability rights advocate Ed Roberts
• Guitar visionary Carlos Santana
• Celebrated contemporary novelist Amy Tan
• California Supreme Court Justice Roger J. Traynor

All living inductees and families of posthumous inductees are scheduled to attend, along with former inductees Clint Eastwood (2006) and Chuck Yeager (2009) and emcees Mayor Kevin Johnson and Lisa Ling. The evening begins with red carpet arrivals from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and is followed by the induction ceremony from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium, located at 1515 J Street in Sacramento. Formerly held at The California Museum, the new venue was selected to accommodate a larger audience of 3,000, including 750 California Hall of Fame members of The California Museum.

To date, the 2011 California Hall of Fame presenting sponsors are:

• Visit California
• Comcast

For more information, including inductee biographies and press images, download the 2011 California Hall of Fame press kit at: CaliforniaMuseum.org/About/Press-center

ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA MUSEUM

The California Museum -- home of the California Hall of Fame -- engages, educates and enlightens people about California's rich history and its unique contribution to the world through ideas, innovation, art and culture. Through captivating, interactive and innovative experiences, the Museum seeks to inspire men, women and children to dream the California dream and dare to make their mark on history. Open Mon.-Sat. 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Sun. 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Adults: $8.50, Students/Seniors: $7.00 with valid ID; Youth: 6-17: $6.00; Children 5 & under: free. For more information, please visit: CaliforniaMuseum.org

ABOUT VISIT CALIFORNIA

Visit California is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs - in partnership with the state's travel industry - that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. California is currently the number one travel destination in the country. In 2010, travel and tourism expenditures totaled $95.1 billion annually in California, supported jobs for 873,000 Californians and generated $6.1 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information, please visit VisitCalifornia.com

SOURCE Visit California