Star Searcher's  Express
Brought to you by Be the Star You Are!™
P. O. Box 376, Moraga, CA 94556, 877-944-STAR, www.bethestaryouare.org 

   It is not now, and has never been, our intention to send this free newsletter to anyone who does not want it. If you received this in error, please respond with "REMOVE" on the subject line. Forward this to anyone who you think may be interested in its contents. If this was forwarded to you, and you want to receive it monthly, reply with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.  FEEL FREE TO FORWARD THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOUR FRIENDS WHO MAY ENJOY IT. Visit our web site at http://www.bethestaryouare.org.  Please note, by responding to this email, you do not reach the charity.  To reach Cynthia Brian directly, email her at cynthia@bethestaryouare.org.  Thank you.

August 2009

MIRACLE MOMENT®:
"The more you give, the more you get!"

• Link Swap

• The Nice List

• Books and Bands Bash Benefit Star Committee

• Media Sponsors

• Take a Break

• Program Schedule for September 13th, 2009

• Last Call for Publicity

• The Book, The Book

• In Memory

• Event Flyer

• Important Websites for Be the Star You Are!

• Creative Ways to Give

• About Be the Star You Are!™ charity

• Support the charity -- buy books

• Your feedback

• Subscription information

• Newsletter archive

• Forward this newsletter to a friend

• Contact Cynthia Brian

• Ways to Help

• More Ways to Help

MAKING AN LIST
AND CHECKING IT TWICE
by Cynthia Brian

September 13, 2009 marks the 10^th anniversary of the literacy charity, Be the Star You Are!® This is a huge milestone in the history of an all-volunteer organization that has logged in more than 219,880 volunteer hours, donated more than $1.6 million in resources, and served more than 199,800 Individuals within 60 organizations. For ten years, Be the Star You Are!® has been quietly operating in the background, helping other organizations shine. Most of our volunteers are young people ages 10-24 and it is they who have spent months organizing and planning the event to honor our milestone, The Books and Bands Bash Benefit.   

We are all inviting our friends, families, fans, and foes for a day of celebration, dancing, book signings, hula hoop contests, martial arts demonstrations, shopping, eating, and mingling. As we’ve posted announcements on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, and other sites over the past few months, we’ve been rewarded with a plethora of congratulations notices, yet few donations. Although we appreciate the words “bravo, way to go, congrats, you made it!” what we’d really appreciate is rewarding our hard work with dollars. The legendary and loved former Dean of the University of Pacific School of Dentistry, Dr. Arthur Dugoni, became famous for asking his students, alumni, and anyone he met to open their wallets and give generously to the school. Under his tutelage the university became one of the greatest schools in the world to become a doctor of dental surgery because of the donations he requested, required, and received.   

Taking my cue from Dr. Dugoni, I, too, am asking you to open your wallets and give generously to Be the Star You Are!®  If you are reading this newsletter you can afford to send $10 for 10 years! Or be more giving and donate $100 for 10, or $1000. Do what makes you feel good. We make it easy for you. Just go to www.bethestaryouare.org and click on the DONATE button. You’ll be taken to PAYPAL where you can make an instant donation and send us a congratulatory note. You get a tax deduction and will be listed in our Galaxy of Stars.  

Whether you are coming to the party or not, we need your support to fund the many literacy programs that we provide to our community and our country throughout the year.  Like Santa Claus, we are making a list and checking it twice. We know who has been naughty or nice. Open your wallet and get on our friend list. As it has often been said “put your money where your mouth is.”  Margaret Mead had it right with these words “A small group of thoughtful people can change the world. It’s the only thing that ever has!”  

Help us change the world and make a difference. Say congratulations with a donation.  Looking forward to seeing all your names on our 10^th anniversary list. Thanks for your contributions. Be the Star You Are!

Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
www.bethestaryouare.org

THE NICE LIST

If your name isn’t on this list, you still have time to be good! Go to www.bethestaryouare.org to make your donation and buy your tickets today.

More Event Info: go to Events at http://www.bethestaryouareradio.com 

BOOKS AND BANDS BASH BENEFIT STAR COMMITTEE

	Cynthia Brian–Founder/Executive Director
	Emily Weber–Event Director
	Hilary Glass–Fundraising and Graphics
	Vanessa Weber–Food and Beverage
	Steve Mitchell­–Fundraising
	Kim Carlson–Web site and Newsletter
	Stephanie Collins-Publicity

Teen Chairpersons:

	Rachel Glass–Fundraising
	Gaby Gryko–Ad Space
	Dani Wong–Raffles
	Elyse Kolnowski-Bands
	Afshin Najafi-Bands
	Courtney Cheng–Vendors
	Tina Pinedo-Photographer/Videographer
	Grant Wurgley–Book Videographer

Volunteers:

	Jacqueline Tao
	James Christopher Gill
	Jamie Zhou
	Danna Berger
	David Purzycki
	Starla Allen
	Dana Allen
	Crystal Erdenebavar
	Jillian Morrissey

MEDIA SPONSORS  

	Diablo Magazine
	Lamorinda Weekly Newspaper
	KCBS Radio
	KPFA Radio
	World Talk Radio
	Starstyle–Be the Star You Are!® Radio Program
	Garden Pro Radio
	Voice America

TAKE A BREAK

We have negotiated a special discount at a beautiful establishment -
The Lafayette Park Hotel -- $149 for deluxe accommodations!

The Lafayette Park Hotel & Spa welcomes you to the fabulous San Francisco East Bay. Nestled in the hills of Lafayette, the Lafayette Park Hotel offers award-winning accommodations, dining and spa. The French Chateau-style property is centrally located near the business centers of Walnut Creek, Concord, San Ramon and Oakland, and only 30 minutes from San Francisco. Leisure and business guests return time and time again to enjoy our exceptional service and friendly manner that radiates from the hotel's courteous staff. A perfect hotel experience is what we strive for with each hotel guest, restaurant patron, spa client and group meeting attendee. Take the time to experience this jewel of the San Francisco East Bay to realize that you don't have to go far to get miles away.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 13th, 2009 

Dancing from 4-9pm to the live music of

	4-5pm The Not So Radicals
	5-6pm The Underground Weather
	6-7pm Uncalled Four
	7-9pm Old Hyde Farm

Book Sales and Signings from 4-5:30pm and between each band set

	Be the Star You Are! for Teens–$20; Be the Star You Are!–$18
	Buy the set and save $3. Only $35.00
	Meet Cynthia Brian, Heather Brittany, Kim Carlson, Aryln Van Dyke, Rachel Glass, James Christopher Gill, Katie Kale, Elyse Kolnowski, Sarah Marleau, Steve Mitchell, Erica Miner, Anna Myer, Dani Wong, Dallas Woodburn

Raffles between band sets

Silent Auctions: Auction 1 from 4-6:15pm

Auction 2 from 6:45-9:00pm

Martial Arts Demonstrations

Hula Hoop Competition- Join in the fun for great prizes. $2 entry fee

Vendor Tables Indoors and Outdoors

	Highway 13 ArT
	Karmony Kollection™ Klutches
	Be the Match
	Mary Kay Cosmetics
	Planned Parenthood
	Rouge Kiss and Make-up
	Pete Collection Clothing
	Nu Skin Enterprises

T-shirt Sales–White shirts $13, Black tanks $15

Mocktails, lemonade, and soft drinks from the bar

Snacks and Munchies

Tables are reserved for our VIP Partners and STAR Families only

Chair seating is available for general admission

LAST CALL FOR PUBLICITY

If you want to be listed in our event program, the deadline is August 20. Contact us immediately, make your donation and secure your promotion. info@bethestaryouare.org.

THE BOOK, THE BOOK

Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS has arrived in our offices. It’s BEAUTIFUL and makes a fabulous gift for your tween, teen, or young adult as he/she prepares to go back to school or college in the fall. Books won’t be in the bookstores or on-line until late September, but you can buy your copies NOW directly from Be the Star You Are!® charity. It’s a donation and tax deductible. Buy from the Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS book exclusive web site: http://www.bethestaryouare.com. Let us know if you want an autograph and a free bookmark! 

We graciously thank contributor and author, Bud Bilanich, who purchased five cases of Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS to donate to the Porter Billups Leadership Academy in Colorado. This non-profit works with at risk kids and emphasizes academic excellence, leadership, manners, and financial responsibility. Bud and the kids were the first to see the new book.

And we are so appreciative to Suzanne Wong for buying 50 books. Her daughter, Dani, wrote the beautiful Gift of Faith, which is a story about her dad. Wonderful!  

IN MEMORY

Father Patrick McGrath from Limerick, Ireland had planned on being one of the contributors autographing books at the big event. A life-long friend and mentor to Cynthia Brian, the Reverend McGrath believed in the dignity of the human person and worked diligently throughout his life to care, share, and be fair. He was a fierce proponent for the rights of women and children and constantly spoke about the importance of family. He is known as The Gift of Celebration in the first book in the Be the Star You Are!® series, and penned The Gift of Sports for Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS. Father Pat died on July 12, 2009 and will be remembered always for his unwavering dedication and support.

See you on September 13^th from 4-9m. Save money and buy your
tickets today. http://www.bethestaryouare.org/donate.htm 

Let’s Party!

QTRadio.net  Empowering talk radio  for mind, body, and spirit

IMPORTANT WEB SITE FOR BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®

Be the Star You Are! charity is dedicated to empowering women, families, and youth through improved literacy and positive media. http://www.bethestaryouare.org

Here are a few web sites you'll want to visit to get to know our programs, people, and products.

1. Starstyle-Be the Star You Are! Radio Show

Broadcasts live every Thursday from 3-4 pm PST/6-7pm EST on World Talk Radio/Voice America/Modavox. Cynthia Brian interviews authors and experts who help you excel in life. In T42, Heather Brittany discuss pop culture and Generation Y. http://wtr.radiopilot.net/worldtalkradio/vshow.aspx?sid=764

Always archived with descriptions, photos, and information at http://www.bethestaryouareradio.com

Free on ITUNES: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=310762728

2. Radio Show PODCASTS:

http://www.podOmatic.com/people/index/starstyle

http://starstyle.podOmatic.com

http://www.switchpod.com/users/starstyle/feed.xml

3. RSS Feed for Radio

Add this feed to your favorites: http://starstyle.podbean.com/feed

World Talk Radio Feed: feed: http://wtr.radiopilot.net/worldtalkradio/vrss.aspx?sid=764

4. SHOP UNTIL YOU DROP while helping Be the Star You Are!

http://astore.amazon.com/starstyleprod

5. YOU TUBE-See our movies!

http://www.youtube.com/Bethestaryouare

            Our series SHINE:

• Shine intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_egFGWX5QyA

• Shine-Expectations: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcPwz78t_l8

• Shine-The Family that Plays Together http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx6x-3SqpKY

• Shine: The Pear Festival http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crWWu6jApMk&feature=channel_page

• Do you want to be a Star?- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDXQ_oirYCM&feature=user

6. BUY BOOKS ON AMAZON at deep discounts

http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

7. MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION THROUGH NETWORK FOR GOOD

http://www.networkforgood.org/pca/Badge.aspx?BadgeId=109461

8. SHOP YOUR FAVORITE STORES WHILE MAKING A DONATION

http://www.igive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=30993&m=421262

http://mycause.com/BTSYA

http://www.givebackamerica.com/charity.php?b=768

9.  VISIT BE THE STAR YOU ARE!

http://www.bethestaryouare.org

10. MYSPACE- Add us as a friend

URL www.myspace.com/starstylebethestaryouare

11. TWITTER

http://twitter.com/BetheStarYouAre

12. RADIO HOSTS

http://radiohosts.ning.com/profile/CynthiaBrianBetheStarYouAre

13.BOOK PROMOTIONS-more about books and authors

http://pumpupyourbookpromotion.ning.com/profile/CynthiaBrianBetheStarYouAre

14. PODBEAN PODCASTING

http://starstyle.podbean.com/

15. RED ROOM- our site for our books

http://www.redroom.com/member/cynthiabrian

16. Hi5-Add us as a friend

http://bethestaryouare.hi5.com

17. FACEBOOK

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Moraga-California/Be-the-Star-You-Are/38096443724

EVENTS

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=74095942514#/event.php?eid=74095942514

18. CHANGING THE PRESENT

http://changingthepresent.org/nonprofits/show?ein=943333882

19. Donate through Ebay/MissionFish

http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=1504

20. TWITTER

http://twitter.com/BetheStarYouAre

http://twitter.com/TheStarYouAre

21. BLOGSPOT

http://btsya.blogspot.com/

22. Book: BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® FOR TEENS

http://www.bethestaryouare.com

23. VIDEO: ABC Salutes Be the Star You Are!® charity

http://volunteers.magnify.net/video/Be-The-Star-You-Are

CYNTHIA BRIAN Websites

1.       MAIN SITE:

http://www.cynthiabrian.com

http://www.starstyleproductions.com

2.       PRESS KIT

http://www.cynthiabrian.presskit247.com

3.       BOOK TOUR

http://www.booktour.com/author/cynthia_brian

4.       PEOPLEJAM

http://www.peoplejam.com/source/7834/cynthia-brian

videos: http://www.peoplejam.com/search/node/cynthia+brian

5.       RED ROOM AUTHOR’S FORUM

http://www.redroom.com/author/cynthia-brian

6.       LINKED-IN

http://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiabrian

      7. AUTHORS DEN

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?id=94743

8. MULTIPLY

http://cynthiabrian.multiply.com/profile

9. PLAXO

http://www.plaxo.com/directory/profile/227634855160/403233e3/cynthia/brian

10. NEXTCAT (for actors and models)

http://www.nextcat.com/Starstyle

11. FACEBOOK

http://www.facebook.com/Cynthia.brian

12. TWITTER http://twitter.com/cynthiabrian

 CREATIVE WAYS TO GIVE:

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® believes that information infused with inspiration has the power to transform and change lives. BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® is a library of books and other media that empower women, families, and youth at risk to improve their daily lives. BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® is committed to providing positive role models to help them grow into valued citizens. Through its newsletters, web site, radio, TV, and Star Teen Book Review Team literacy outreach programs, BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® promotes and distributes its ever-growing list of informative positive videos, tapes and books to audiences who would otherwise never obtain these materials. Recipients of BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® products and services include other non profit youth at risk groups, juvenile hall facilities, youth camps and disaster relief.

In an era when violence and skepticism dominate the airwaves, BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® 501 (c)(3) charity offers a refreshing, welcome alternative helping beat the odds encouraging the American Dream

Here are a few ways you can contribute:

Send a tax deductible contribution or offer a monetary tribute or memoriam to a loved one

Buy quantities of the three books which donate sales proceeds to our charity: Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul (HCI), The Business of Show Business and Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing and Learning to Make a Difference (Ten Speed Press) (Available through our office, on-line, or in stores)

• Donate air miles

• Sponsor our syndicated radio program

• Donate goods that can be auctioned off at an event

• Make BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® the beneficiary of your UNITED WAY donation

• Shop at your favorite stores on-line by visiting our on-line shops at  http://www.bethestaryouare.org/Shop.html

• Sponsor an event making BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® the charitable beneficiary

• Donate through Ebay/Missionfish at http://donations.ebay.com/charity/charity.jsp?NP_ID=1504

• Ask your company to match your donation or make a contribution

• Volunteer time

• Become a Benefactor

• Establish A Charitable Giving Account with an Investment Firm in the name of BE THE STAR YOU ARE!.®

Please join our galaxy of Stars and support BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® with your contributions and/or ask your company to be on our team. Visit the web site at www.bethestaryouare.org for more information. Please send your checks to:

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556.

We can be reached at 877-944-STAR. You will receive a receipt for your tax deductible donation. Credit card contributions and purchases are accepted.

Thank you for your support.

Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, Ca. 94556
www.bethestaryouare.org
925-376-7126