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NEWSLETTER - Fall 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

"To be successful is to be helpful, caring and constructive...to make everything and everyone you touch a little bit better.  The best thing you have to give is yourself."

                               Norman Vincent Peale

BE THE SHINING STAR YOU ARE!
By Stephanie Simons

Our culture revolves around Hollywood—an illusory universe with an endless constellation of stars. In Hollywood, people win Oscars for blurring the line between reality and fantasy, for succeeding at a make-believe performance. In Hollywood, authenticity is scarce.

You may not be a professional actor, but there may be times when you find it easier to pretend you’re somebody else. You may feel tempted to put on a show to impress other people or act like you’re just like everyone else.

Acting is a noble talent, but in real life, it’s important to be authentic. To be real. It’s a quality that involves taking risks. Genuine people risk showing others who they really are.

Today, when you step out into the hustle and bustle of this conformist world, be strong in your convictions. Don’t hide your feelings, your beliefs, or those quirky characteristics that make you unlike anyone else. Trust in yourself. Your face may never be on the cover of a glossy magazine, your personal life may not make headlines (thank goodness!), but who you are and what you have to say are important and worthwhile. Be The Star You Are! That’s a celebration worth rolling out the red carpet for.

Don’t compromise yourself. You are all you’ve got. —Janis Joplin

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 this month.

NEWS FROM THE STAR OFFICE

We are excited to share some great developments with you.

1. For the last few months, our first class supporter, Dan Esbensen of In Touch Technologies in San Diego has been working with one of his top program developers, Barbara Elroy, to design a comprehensive computer program for Be the Star You Are!™ charity.  Once completed, publishers, producers, authors and others will have the ability to donate books, tapes, and other resources directly to the appropriate beneficiaries without having to ship to our offices first.  This new program is going to eliminate lots of volunteer hours as well as shipping costs while expanding the capabilities of Be the Star You Are!™ to serve the needs of our communities, our nation, and eventually our world.  Once the program is ready, Dan will supply the office with DSL internet capability and with some training, we’ll be off and running!   It is a HUGE step in the right direction and we want to take this opportunity to give a HUGE thanks to Dan and his team.  Stay tuned…more to come!

2. Professor John Thompson of St. Mary’s College School of Business has offered to make Be the Star You Are!™ one of the student projects for 2004.  How exciting to have this fresh young knowledge as a resource for our charity.  We are already grateful.

3. A new radio program hosted by Cynthia Brian will be promoting our charity beginning in November. The show, Starstyle-Be the Star You Are!™ will be broadcast on Book Crazy  Radio and will feature authors and experts in personal growth, family and women issues. Alex Morrison is the Associate Producer and she will be booking our guests and overseeing sponsorship.  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. Be the Star You Are!™ has a limited number of sponsorship opportunities, so email radio@bethestaryouare.org immediately to get in on the fun and promotions.

4. Something to crow about: Since its founding in 1999, Be the Star You Are!™ charity has supported 32 organizations through which 17,000 individuals and their families have been served, logged 23,000 volunteer hours, and distributed $825,000 in books and media resources. We have supported organizations serving at risk youth populations: programs for Seniors, Women, Job Re-entry, Homeless Shelters, Substance Abuse Treatment and Recovery Programs.

5. Listen to a fantastic radio show hosted by Melissa Darnay as she interviewed our Founder about Be the Star You Are!™: http://www.cupidsguide.com/interviews/cynthia-brian.htm . Melissa Darnay,  is called the Modern-Day Cupid as she helps people find meaningful relationships.

THANKS FOR DONATION:

Our appreciation to our continuing author supporter, Patrick Combs, who donated 600 of his best selling book, "Major in Success".  Patrick, who lives in San Diego,  recently performed to sold out audiences in San Francisco with his one man show. Visit his web site at http://www.goodthink.com.  Thank you, Patrick, for helping others be successful.

A new author supporter is Eva Fry who donated 25 each of her wonderful books, "Be a Winner in Life" and "You Must Have a Dream".  Aren’t these titles winners in themselves?  Visit her web site at http://www.evafry.com.  Thank you, Eva, and welcome aboard.

And, we can’t forget to always thank our amazing web master and newsletter writer, Kim Carlson, who is a CAN DO gal.  She keeps our web site updated and is never too busy to take on a challenge.  Now, if we could only clone Kim!!!! Thank you, our great friend.

WE NEED FINANCIAL HELP, PLEASE

Are you able to spare a few dollars to support our work?  Be the Star You Are!™ is quietly and consistently making a difference in the lives of others.  Because we are small, (but mighty) we don’t have enough people power to put on fundraisers.  We totally depend on the generosity of YOU.  We still have a few more months in 2003 and our bank account is low.  Could you please consider sending whatever you can spare to: 
Be the Star You Are!™
PO Box 376
Moraga, Ca. 94556
Your contribution is tax deductible and we will send you a tax receipt.

Here are some other ways you can help us:
*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 off at an event
* Sponsor an event making Be the Star You Are!™ the charitable beneficiary
*Ask your company to match your donation or make a contribution
* Donate books, tapes and CD’s from your own library that you don’t want anymore
* 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!™

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.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER:

This month, we join the rest of the world in commemorating the second anniversary of September 11.  How quickly the time has gone by, yet how much our world has changed in these past two years.  As I travel around the country speaking, routine activities have become more cumbersome and time consuming.  Yet, this is the price of personal safety.  Many hours are spent on planes in conversation with a stranger who usually becomes a friend. We discuss how and why the world is in turmoil. Without fail, the conversation always turns to children, literacy, and family values. What I know for a fact is that each of us bears the responsibility to create a better future. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Ellen Peterson sends out a bi-weekly report about youth through her Acalanes Drug/Alcohol Task Force Update. (If you want to receive these updates, contact her at ellenpeterson@comcast.net).  I am always intrigued by the information and sobering thoughts.  Here is the latest research on youth development that I’d like to share with you.

*The best data available indicates that there are approximately 8 million children ages 5-14 (nationally) that spend time without adult supervision on a regular basis. (Miller, 1999) 
*Young people with nothing to do during out-of-school hours miss valuable chances for growth and development. The odds are high that youth will find things to do and places to go that negatively influence their development and futures. (McLaughlin, 2000) 
*Students who do not spend time in extracurricular activities are 49% more likely to use drugs and 37% more likely to become teen parents than those who spend one to four hours per week in extra curricular activities. (US Dept. of Education, 2002)
*Adolescents who spend time in communities that are rich in developmental opportunities for them experience less risk and show evidence of higher rates of positive development. (National Research Council, 2002)
*Nationally, more than half of teens surveyed wish there were more community- or neighborhood-based programs available after school, and two thirds of those surveyed said they would participate in such programs if they were available. (Penn, Schoen and Berland Assoc. 2001)

If we want our world to change for the better, we have to change for the better. We must make better choices for ourselves and give more time to our children.  Adults are role models whether we want to be or not. What kind of image are you projecting to those around you?  Without literacy and positive programs for children and families, what kind of world will we have in fifty years?  Now that is a sobering thought.

I hope you’ll tune in to our upcoming radio program beginning in November on Book Crazy Radio and consider being a sponsor. Be the Star You Are!™ is encouraging life skills and we invite you to join us.

With gratitude,

Cynthia Brian
Founder

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

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Our Founder, Cynthia Brian is a professional speaker lecturing internationally on the philosophies of Be the Star You Are!™ If you are seeking an energetic, inspirational and passionate speaker for your next conference or event, consider booking through our charity office. Here is a listing of upcoming events where Cynthia Brian is speaking:

September 15, 2003 , 6-7:30 pm Live Gardening Demonstration and book signing in San Mateo sponsored by Abbott Immunology.   San Mateo Garden Center- 605 Parkside Way, San Mateo, California

September 16, 2003  6-7:30 pm Live Gardening Demonstration and book signing in Golden Gate Park (County Fair Building) 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way, San Francisco, Ca. sponsored by Abbott Immunology.

September 19, 20, 21 "Be the Star You Are!™" at the University of Pacific Faculty Retreat, Lake Tahoe, California.

October 3, 2003, Pharmaceutical Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota at the Abbott Immunology booth.

November 6, 2003 "The Power of Positive Parenting" presentation at St. Dominic’s Elementary School in Benicia.  For more information contact: 1-707-745-1266

November 18, 2003, 7-9:00pm. "Gardening with Soul",  Master Gardener’s Event at 75 Santa Barbara, Pleasant Hill, California.  For more information, contact Mary Lou at 925-957-0229.

November 20, 2003, 12 noon, San Diego State University Bookstore located on the SDSU campus. For more information you may call Susan Schiele at 619-594-7528.

November 21-23, 2003, San Diego State University Leadership Institute Conference, San Diego Marriott, Mission Valley.  Topic: "A Juggling Act-How to Balance your Life without Dropping the Balls!" For more information, contact Jennifer Johnson, 619-594-5221

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