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NEWSLETTER - Winter 2003

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. 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.

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OUR MISSION:

Be the Star You Are!™ is a library of books and other media donated to youth at risk to raise their skills and self esteem to improve their daily lives. This media ranges from education and advisement to inspiration and guidance which covers every aspect of life from abuse through money management. Be the Star You Are!™ has no religious or political agendas or affiliations as it caters to the literate and illiterate by providing audio tapes and videos as well as books to give these kids a head start in their lives so they can beat the odds.

MIRACLE MOMENT

"If you haven’t any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble.” 

                               Bob Hope

'TIS THE TIME OF GIVING
By Stephanie Simons

This holiday season, earn your wings with angelic acts of extraordinary kindness. Plant a quarter in a gumball machine for the next lucky child who comes along...pay the bridge toll for the vehicle behind you...put an unneeded coupon in the grocery aisle next to the appropriate item... On a grand scale, consider donating to your favorite non-profit charity and make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Be the Star You Are!™ is accepting donations to help continue its inspirational mission--one that empowers, educates and encourages at-risk youth. Lead by Cynthia Brian--best-selling author, designer, motivational speaker and radio/ television host--Be the Star You Are!™ is making a powerful impact on communities by making positive programs and informational media available to specifically targeted youth groups and the general public. Contributions to Be the Star You Are!™ go toward the purchase, distribution and promotion of these truly inspirational programs and help to make educational tools accessible to everyone, regardless of income. For more information, contact info@bethestaryouare.org, PO Box 376, Moraga, CA 94556  Tel: 877.944.STAR or 925.376.7126, http://www.bethestaryouare.org

Stephanie Simons is a volunteer with Be the Star You Are!™ as well as a regular contributor to Diablo Magazine, Style Columnist, and other magazines.  Thank you, Stephanie, for your writing contribution to our newsletter each month.

TUNE IN TO OUR RADIO PROGRAM!

NEW!!!!! Please tune in to  "Starstyle®-Be the Star You Are!" beginning January 9^th, every Friday on Book Crazy Radio at 1:30 and 4:30 am and pm PST and 4:30 and 10:30 am and pm EST. Book Crazy is heard in over 40 countries.  The average listener tunes in 6 hours and 14 minutes per week and it is the largest all book radio station in the world. Just click on the “click here to listen” button, at http://www.bethestaryouare.org/radio, turn up your speakers, and join us!!  You can also link to the station from www.bookcrazyradio.net.  FOUR times every Friday and best of show on Sundays. You will hear interviews with authors and writers on exciting new topics. 

For sponsorship information, please email us at radio@bethestaryouare.org or call our offices 925-376-7126.  Advertising is affordable and tax deductible!  

Some of our featured guest authors include:

·Dr. Drew Pinsky, author of Cracked
·Richard Nelson Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute?
·Erica Miner, author of Travels with My Lovers www.emwriter.com
·Sheryl Roush, author of Sparkle-Tudes www.sparklepresentations.com
·Lon Rombough, author of The Grape Grower
·Paula Huntley, author of The Hemingway Book Club of Kosovo
·Deborah Hayden, author of POX
·Romanus Wolter - Author of Kick Start Your Dream Business www.kickstartguy.com
·Marion Cunningham, Author of The Fannie Farmer Cookbooks and Lost Recipes
·Heather Brittany, syndicated columnist of Tea for Two
·Bock Lee, Author of a Star is Corn
·Leonard Shlain, author of Sex, Time, Power, www.sextimepower.com
·Sandra Crough, author of Brown Skin Gyal, www.brownskin-gyal.com
And many more to come!

THANKS TO OUR RADIO SPONSORS:

Cranberry Magazine, A Look on the Bright Side of Life!

Dr. David Loveall Comprehensive Chiropractic Care

Dr. Brian R. Sheaff Family Dentistry

The House Cleaning and Chef International

Bob Skelton, The Pull Out Shelf Company

Yeshilkoy Insurance Services

Paul Bogle Astrology and Tarot

Consider sponsoring our radio program.  Get your message out to the world, support youth at risk AND get a tax deduction.  Everybody wins.  Info: radio@bethestaryouare.org or call 925-376-7126.

Also thanks to John Goodenough of Mac Methods (925-943-7455), Noel Cilker (Station Manager at St. Mary’s College Radio Station) and Fred Proudman for advising Be the Star You Are!™ on the computer software for our radio program.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER:

I know!  You are inundated with requests for contributions at this time of year. You throw out the mail as soon as it arrives.  Hey, look on the bright side.  You made money this year! The other side is that Uncle Sam gets your hard earned cash from the taxes you will be paying unless you find a charity to help lower that amount before December 31.  How about doing some good in your community and getting a nice tax deduction?  It will make you feel great.   

Here at Be the Star You Are!™ we work diligently to provide fresh and relevant programs, offering hope in a world of shattered lives, corrupted values and meaningless existence.  We are developing many new ways to help our communities and invite you to partner with us.  Of course we’d love it if you send a big fat check, but we do have other simple ways for you to get a tax deduction and something in return.

Won’t you please consider doing one of the following:

·Sponsor our radio program broadcast on Book Crazy Radio
·Buy an auction item listed on our web site at http://www.bethestaryouare.org
·Donate your vehicle, running or not, and we’ll do the rest
·Purchase any of these books: "Be the Star You Are! 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference”, “The Business of Show Business”, and “Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul". Every time you purchase this book at a store, you are making a contribution to this charity. When you purchase the books directly through the charity, we get an even bigger contribution, so consider buying through our order form at the bottom of the page. These books are also available for fundraisers and corporate premium sales at a discount to your organization or company. Call the charity offices at 925-376-7126 or by email, info@bethestaryouare.org.
·Book your next speaker through our speakers bureau for your event
·Donate air miles 
·Donate goods that can be auctioned 
· Sponsor an event making Be the Star You Are!™ the charitable beneficiary 
·Ask your company to match your donation or make a contribution 
· Become a Benefactor…we need an ANGEL
·Establish A Charitable Giving Account with an Investment Firm in the name of Be the Star You Are!™.

Don’t forget that we have many items including books and auction items that will make wonderful holiday gifts.  So do your shopping at www.bethestaryouare.org.  Santa thanks you, we thank you, and most of all,  the families and children we serve thank you. 

I also want to acknowledge and extend our appreciation to Gregory Akselrud and Jonathan Gelfand of the law firm Stubbs, Alderton and Markiles, LLP in Los Angeles who have offered their pro bono law services to Be the Star You Are!™ charity.  We are so thrilled to have such an esteemed and professional group representing our legal needs.  I met with both of them recently at their LA offices and these gentlemen of great integrity are top notch! Thank you, Greg and Jonathan!

Don’t forget to  tune in to our upcoming radio program beginning in January on Book Crazy Radio and consider being a sponsor. Be the Star You Are!™ encourages positive life skills and we invite you to join us.

Have a blessed, safe, fun,  and happy holiday season. 

With star gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder

OUR ON-LINE AUCTION:

Generous donors have made it possible for us to create an on-going auction site.  Here’s how it works: 

Items or services are donated.  A minimum bid and a buy-out bid are listed.  Email us with your bid.  We’ll get back to you within 3 days. (You’ll automatically win if you bid the buy-out!)  If you’d like to donate an item or service to our on-line auction, send us the item or a gift certificate for services to PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556. If it is a very large item, please do not send, call us first 925-376-7126.  TAX DEDUCTIBLE AND FUN!

Here’s what we are offering this month at: www.bethestaryouare.org/auction.html:

* Donation of a local walking excursion from Pedal Pusher Adventures.
* Two-night stay at Taylor House Bed & Breakfast in Boston, MA.
* Vintage Christmas Card collection from the 1940's-1980's.
* NEW!  Three Armand Cabrera Oil Paintings have been generously donated for our auction!  Here are the details:

Armand Cabrera’s paintings reflect the skill and discipline gathered from years of experience as a successful production artist in the computer games industry where he created conceptual designs, background art, special effects animation and storyboarding.  Now a full time fine artist, he has become a dedicated landscape painter. Armand paints in the alla prima style, completing his work in one sitting. 

Born in San Francisco in 1955, Armand currently makes his home in beautiful Marin County, California where he is inspired by a wealth of visual information.  In his spare time, Armand teaches plein air and studio painting workshops.

Thank you from the volunteers at Be the Star You Are!™. 

Be the Star You Are!™
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556.  
877-944-STAR or 925-376-7126
http://www.bethestaryouare.org

Cynthia Brian is the Founder and President of Be the Star You Are!™ Please visit www.bethestaryouare.org for biographical information. Be the Star You Are!™  a 501(c)(3) non profit  

Cynthia Brian will autograph the following items as gifts for your holiday giving.