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SPRING 2002 NEWSLETTER

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.

                FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTION | ISSUE ARCHIVE

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:
"Each day of our lives, we make deposits in the memory banks of our children."
Charles Swindoll

This is definitely my favorite time of year!  Spring...the smell of the newly tilled earth, the color of green leaves emerging on the trees, the feel of the sunshine on my back as I work in the garden and the sound of the chirping birds...oh, how I missed all that beauty during the darkness of winter.  Spring is a time of re-birth.  It reminds us that it is the moment to plant seeds and get our gardens ready for the harvest to come.  Margaret Atwood is quoted as saying: "In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt."  Spring is also the time to plant the seeds of success in our own lives as well as help those less fortunate than us.  When planting your garden this year and writing your monthly checks, remember to contribute to Be the Star You Are!™ charity.  Our volunteers are digging in the dirt everyday to help our garden of youth empowerment, education, and encouragement grow! Won't you come plant with us?


IS HOLLYWOOD HAZARDOUS TO OUR HEALTH?
by Cynthia Brian

Hollywood is hazardous to our mental health and especially to that of young children.

Since commercial television became available in 1946, we have created a culture of violence.  There is a connection between violent imagery in movies and television and the real world violence we witness on a daily basis. We must change Hollywood to change the culture, but the only way to change Hollywood is for the advertising dollars to stop supporting their current choices.

Consider the following statistics about TV Viewing that were gathered by the volunteers of Be the Star You Are!™ charity.

*Americans check out twice as many videos as library books a day.
*80% of US families do not buy or read books.
*70% of US adults have not been in a bookstore in more than five years.
*By the time you're 65, you'll have spent nearly nine years of your life watching TV.
*Kids between 2 and 11 years old watch 1,197 minutes of TV a week, but talk to their parents about 38.5 minutes per week.
*The average child sees between 20,000 to 40,000 commercials a year.  About 10,000  are food ads, most of which are for junk food and fast food.
*Kids spend 60 percent more time watching TV each year than they spend in school.
*About 24 percent of children under 6 have a TV in their own bedroom!
*A 1996 study found that the amount of time adolescents watch TV soaps, movies, and music videos is associated with their degree of body dissatisfaction and desire to be thin.  Eating disorders are on the rise in teenagers.
*A 1997 study found that kids ages 4-9 perceived most cartoon characters in stereotypical ways: Boys were violent and active while girls were domestic, interested in boys and concerned with their appearance.

For those of you who may not know me, I want you to know that I am not just bad-mouthing Hollywood. I really know the entertainment business.  For the past 26 years I have worked as a model, actor, host, producer, writer, director, coach and consultant in this industry.  In fact, I just completed the 13th edition of my best selling book, The Business of Show Business, which is a comprehensive career guide for actors and models to help them get going and staying going in the entertainment world while avoiding the scams.  The reason I founded this charity is because I am appalled at the "manure" that we are feeding our children each day via television, films, newspapers, magazines, radio and other media.  I believe that every day millions of children turn on their television and are bombarded with negativity and scenes of violence, abuse, and unsafe sexual promiscuity.  These kids are becoming immune to the tragedies and are living a diminished lifestyle because of what they view.  Competence in literacy and reading are essential to a successful life. Our future work force is at risk.

The role of the parent is under-valued in our society today.  When Hollywood persists in creating projects that advocate and glamorize dysfunctional families, drug and alcohol abuse, promiscuity, and violence, we can not be astonished when our citizens, both young and old, are lacking a sense of right and wrong, respect for authority or responsibility for their actions.  As parents we need to monitor our children, know their friends, spend time enjoying fun activities with them, and be present in their daily lives.  Parents are the first mentors.

Be the Star You Are!™ charity, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit media library is dedicated to providing, promoting, and distributing books and other resources that will empower youth. We are about motivation, inspiration, education, information and most of all POSITIVE role modeling.  We want to offer hope through difficult times and a path to a bright tomorrow. Through our literacy program, READING SPELLS SUCCESS, volunteers go into schools, hospitals, and hospices and read for one hour plus give away a book to each person who participates.  READING SPELLS SUCCESS works with other literacy programs to provide optimum opportunities for entertaining reading and learning.

I ask you for your help.  I realize that you have many choices in charities, but Be the Star You Are!™ is different.  We are ALL volunteers, there are no paid employees.  Because we are a small charity, there is no "red tape" . We do what we say we will do when we say we will do it. We are efficient. With our OPERATION GROUND HERO program, we were one of the very first charities to provide assistance to the Family Services of the New York Fire Department after September 11. We serve youth at risk and are constantly striving to help more young people. We have expenses to keep our offices and library open so that we can service our numerous and constantly growing youth beneficiaries with our programs.  Please write a check today.  Any amount will assist us in accomplishing our mission, and of course, your donations are 100% tax deductible.

The web site of Be the Star You Are!™ are,  http://www.bethestaryouare.org, offers a library of recommended books, offered both through the charity and bookstores. In order to accomplish any goals in life and be a success, reading is mandatory.  Be the Star You Are!™ is working in your community to help those who have been unable to help themselves.  For more information on literacy and books, contact Be the Star You Are!™ at 877-944-STAR or info@bethestaryouare.org.

Wishing you starsmiles,
Cynthia Brian
Founder, Be the Star You Are!™


BIG THANK YOU's
The co-authors of Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Marion Owen, Cynthia Brian, Carol Sturguelewski, Cindy Buck, and Pat Stone donated $1656 from royalties from their best selling book to our charity.  We are so appreciative of this donation.  Please keep it coming!  For more information about Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul visit http://www.gardeners-soul.com  or http://www.star-style.com/chickensoup.htm 

In addition, Health Communications, who is the publisher of Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul matched the co-authors donation and also sent $1656.  Thank you to publisher Peter Vegso, for this donation and we hope Health Communications will continue to be one of our cherished donors.  The kids at risk need you!  For more information about Health Communications, visit http://www.hcibooks.com 

We also want to thank the following authors who donated boxes of their books to our library to be given out to our youth beneficiaries: *Ivan Burnell, author of "Say Yes to Life" , Visit Ivan at Http://www.yesfactor.com 
*Sean O'Reilly, author of "How to Manage Your D. I. C. K.",  Visit Sean at http://www.dickmanagement.com 
*Zimmy Zimberg, author of "All Kids Need", Visit Zimmy at http://www.lifesgreat.org 

Please support the authors, publishers, and donors who support us.  We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.  You make a difference.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
ATTENTION AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS: We are currently restocking our library of books, CD'S, videos, music and audio tapes to be given to our numerous youth beneficiaries.  All educational, informational, entertaining, inspiring, how-to, empowering resources for babies to young adults are accepted.   If you have goods to donate, you will receive a full retail tax receipt.  Please send all resources to:
Be the Star You Are!™ Charity
1660 School Street #101D
Moraga, California 94556
877-944-STAR.

We thank you in advance for keeping our library full so that we can promote your good works and help children and youth at risk become more literate and responsible citizens.

WELCOME: Myra Ng is the charity's new Assistant Executive Director. She is also the chairperson for our upcoming Golf Tournament.  She can be reached at myra_ng@ceruscorp.com and her phone number is 510-368-3005.

The Golf Tournament committee meeting is set for Friday, May 10 at 6pm in our offices at 1660 School Street in Moraga.  Sandeep Batra is working as our newest office assistant. He can be reached at batra@handbag.com.  He is taking care of all the deliveries, computer entries, and logging of our resources.  Welcome to our newest volunteers!  We are glad you are with us. 

VOLUNTEER MEETING: Our next Board and volunteer meeting will be Tuesday, May 14 at 6pm in the charity offices located at 1660 School Street Suite 101D in Moraga, California.  Kim La Rossa, our Support Director will be presiding.  She can be reached at klarossa@scilearn.com.  Agenda includes Fundraising Activities, Donor Contributions, Library Expansion, Beneficiary Additions and more.  To RSVP or get directions, please email volunteers@bethestaryouare.org.  See you on May 14!

DISTRIBUTION OUTREACH: Beneficiaries receiving books, tapes, CD's this month were: Boys & Girls  Club of Martinez; Safe Place; Juvenile Hall Martinez; Children's Hospital Clinic; Family Stress in Concord and Antioch; Bay Area Crisis Nursery; ILSP Foster Kids; Tenderloin Education Center Homeless kids; Jewish Children's Bureau and Office of Public Guardian in Chicago by special request. Books were selected and packed by Pat Hallberg and shipped through the generosity of Sunny Express and Jason Vinet.  Myra Ng has volunteered to set up the Book Inventory Database for logging and recording the value of donated books.  Anyone available to help Pat with the incoming books please contact her at 925-935-0669 or 925-640-3444 or patnross@earthlink.net.  New material is arriving and we need to stamp and log the books into the database. Our next delivery is scheduled for August 2002 and packing help will be needed then too. READING SPELLS SUCCESS is looking for readers.  Contact Pat.

APPRECIATION PARTY: Juvenile Hall Auxiliary is showing its appreciation to  all volunteers working in the Bedtime Readers program by having a party in May. Our Literacy Outreach Program, READING SPELLS SUCCESS, participates in this Juvenile Hall enrichment event.  Be the Star You Are!™ would like to be able to send more representatives into this program, as well as continue our Literacy Outreach by reading to outpatient children in the waiting room of Children's Hospital Clinic, and establish reading sessions for the little ones at the Bay Area Crisis Nursery in Concord.  If you are interested please contact Pat Hallberg for training and more information. email: patnross@earthlink.net. 

GET INSPIRED AND MOTIVATED TO ACTION:  Our Founder, Cynthia Brian, is speaking around the country and world.  For her schedule of speaking engagements,  see our events calendar on our web site.  You can also book her to speak for your company or organization by emailing us: info@bethestaryouare.org or calling our offices at 877-944-STAR.  Two big events that you won't want to miss are the Women's Retreat in Whistler, Canada, June 25-30, 2002 (to book, visit http://www.aurorawinter.com/BetheStarYouAre.htm ) and The Power of Healing Conference in Bali, September 20-October 5.  Richard Nelson Bolles, best selling author of "What Color is Your Parachute?" and honorary Board Member of Be the Star You Are!™ charity will be the keynote speaker. To book, visit http://www.powerplaces.com/BaliConference.html) Full details are located at the bottom of this newsletter for these two wonderful trips.

EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHARITY
We need your help now!  Be the Star You Are!™ is making a difference in the lives of many people and their communities. Please  help us empower youth and to continue the numerous services we provide.

Here are three SIMPLE ways you can help and have fun doing it:

1. Buy copies of Be the Star You Are!™ 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference (Ten Speed Press) and Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul (HCI) for everyone in your office! Every time you purchase this book, you are making a contribution to this charity. Empower yourself, empower others with the strategies for success from these wonderful books.  They are also available for fundraisers and corporate premium sales at a discount to your organization or company.  Contact info@bethestaryouare.org.  You can also call the charity offices at 925-376-7126.  VISA and MASTERCARD accepted.

2. Enjoy a night out dining at Chevy's in Pleasant Hill and 20% of the proceeds will be donated to Be the Star You Are!™.  Chevy's Restaurant in Pleasant Hill has partnered with Be the Star You Are!™ to support our involvement with you.  The FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH is Be the Star You Are!™ day at Chevy's.  Simply tell your waitress that you support us and our charity will receive a donation of the day's proceeds.  It's that easy!  Have a margarita, enjoy a tasty meal and know that you are supporting a great cause. Chevy's Restaurant, 650 Ellinwood Way (off of Contra Costa Blvd) , Pleasant Hill, Ca. 925-685-6651.
3. Send a tax deductible contribution or offer a monetary tribute or memoriam to a loved one.
4. Donate air miles.
5. Donate goods that can be auctioned off at an event.
6. Sponsor an event making Be the Star You Are!™ the charitable beneficiary.
7. Ask your company to match your donation or make a contribution.
8. Volunteer time.
9. Donate books, tapes and CD's from your own library that you don't want anymore.
10. Become a Benefactor.
11. 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.

Thank you!
From the people at
Be the Star You Are!™

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.  Happy Gardening in Life!

Be the Star You Are!™
PO Box 376
Moraga, Ca. 94556
877-944-STAR
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

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ORDER FORM:
PRODUCTS AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR CHARITY.  Donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

PRODUCTS CAN BE ORDERED DIRECTLY!

PRICE LIST

Be the Star You Are!™ Book    
              $15.95 plus $1.35 tax=$17.30

Miracle Moments® Book         
              $9.99 plus $.86 tax  = $10.85

The Business of Show Business (NEW!)         
              $19.95 plus $1.75 tax  = $21.70

Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul book     
              $12.95 plus $1.10 tax = $14.05

Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul CD  
              $11.95 plus $1.05 tax = $13.00

Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul tape   
              $  9.95 plus $ .85 tax= $10.80

FREE packet of seeds with purchase of any book!

CASH, CHECKS, VISA OR MASTERCARD ACCEPTED. SHIPPING ADD $3.50 FOR FIRST BOOK, $1.75 FOR EACH EXTRA BOOK

Make checks out to: Be the Star You Are!™ non profit
   PO BOX 376
   MORAGA, CA. 94556
   925-376-7126

ORDER FORM:

NAME OF BOOKS/TAPES/CD'S:____________________________________
NUMBER WANTED of each:_______________________________________
AUTOGRAPHED TO WHOM_______________________________________
SHIP TO:____________________CITY_________STATE____ZIP________
BILL TO: VISA____MASTERCARD______ CHECK:____
CREDIT CARD NUMBER____________________________EXP.__________
PHONE NUMBER_________________________

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Bathrobe Babes in Whistler!

Bathrobe Babes in Whistler! Summer Retreat with Aurora Winter and Cynthia Brian Dates: June 25 to 30, 2002 Location: Whistler, B.C., Canada (75 miles north of Vancouver, or 200 miles north of Seattle) Rejuvenate, relax and get pampered while being energized and motivated to be the star you are!

A unique, intimate experience with ten special women and two powerful coaches.  Five days of indulgence, brainstorming, healing, scholarship, and mastery over our destiny.  Most of all, we are going to have FUN!

Package Includes:

• Superb accommodations in a beautiful luxury lakefront home overlooking Alta Lake and Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains. Designer touches include marble, limestone and pine finishes and furnishings. An open floor plan ideal for our retreat activities, dream kitchen, vaulted ceiling, large decks, hot tub, fireplace, and exquisitely appointed bedrooms and bathrooms are all part of your comfort and enjoyment.  Rates are based on double occupancy.
• Amazing Welcome Banquet prepared by an outstanding chef (ranked as one of the top twelve chefs in the world) Chef Bernard, including fine wine. (Please arrive on the afternoon of June 25.)
• Special Graduation Dinner, including champagne.  (Check out time is one p.m. on Sunday June 30, after brunch)
• Daily seminars and success strategies: living, loving, laughing, losing, and learning to make a difference
• Two individual pampering sessions (such as: massage, energy work, manicure, palm reading)
• Two 1/2 hour private consultations with either Cynthia Brian or Aurora Winter
• Gourmet meals with healthy choices and decadent desserts, fine coffee, daily tea and snacks
• Activities including: hiking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, sun-bathing, and gym with yoga, weight room and pool. 
• Picnic and hike on the mountain, including chairlift ride to the top to enjoy the incredible view.
• Outdoor hot tub overlooking the lake ideal for relaxing, especially under the stars!
• Evening Bathrobe Babes™ event
• Autographed copy of Cynthia Brian’s book, Be the Star You Are!
• Autographed copy of Aurora Winter’s book, Loving, Losing, and Letting Go
• Plenty of free time to rest, relax, rejuvenate and get connected to yourself and the others. 
• You may participate in as many or as few activities as you wish.  You may wish to rent a car at the Vancouver International airport or take the express bus from the airport to Whistler.  Shuttle from the Whistler bus loop to the house is included, other transportation or airfare is not. 
• Bring casual attire (no power suits), bathing suit, sweats, shorts, comfortable walking shoes, and hiking attire.  Modifications may be made due to weather or other factors.  Added pampering is available at an additional charge. 

Our purpose is to rekindle our spirits and enjoy the tranquility of the beautiful surroundings.

To book or for more information, contact: Aurora Winter at 949-735-7292 or www.aurorawinter.com  

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!™

Bathrobe Babes in Whistler

June 25 to 30, 2002     

   An exclusive retreat to recharge, revitalize and refocus you on your most valuable asset – you!  Rejuvenate, relax and get pampered while being energized, motivated and encouraged to be the star you are! 

    In today’s hectic society, women are exhausted from juggling so many balls.  We’re seeking more balance and peace of mind.  Our mission is to provide a refuge from this outside world for five fabulous days and serene nights.  The setting is idyllic – this luxury lakefront home in Whistler, BC.

    Just ten significant women and two powerful coaches, Cynthia Brian, TV/radio host and author of Be the Star You Are! and Aurora Winter, TV/film producer and author of Loving, Losing & Letting Go.  A banquet of activities for the body, mind and spirit: group and private coaching, massages, manicures, canoeing, hiking, hot tubbing, yoga, gourmet food, and much, much more. 

    This is your time away from it all, to re-discover who you are and what you want to create.  We’ll help you be the star you are!

Special offer: book now and SAVE 10%when registering two women together

$2,999 US per person regular price

To book, call (949) 735-7292 or (925) 377-STAR

To learn more about Cynthia Brian, see www.bethestaryouare.com
For more information about Aurora Winter, see www.aurorawinter.com  

To see your luxury lakefront accommodation, take a virtual tour online at www.rarelakefront.com  Photos below show the interior and the stunning view from our retreat home in Whistler, Canada:

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YOUR FEEDBACK
If you have comments, questions or suggestions for this newsletter, please write to Kim Carlson, your Be the Star You Are!™ newsletter coordinator at: bethestaryouare@hotmail.com

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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. 

If this was forwarded to you, and you want to receive it monthly, reply with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. 

To subscribe to the text-only version of this newsletter, reply with "TEXT-ONLY" in the subject line.

NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
To request previous issues of our newsletter, contact our newsletter coordinator at bethestaryouare@hotmail.com.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND
Forward this to anyone who you think may be interested in its contents.  Keep the special people in your life informed as to what is happening in the world of positive programming!

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.

Be The Star You Are!™
PO Box 376, Moraga, CA 94556
Tel: 877.944.STAR or 925.376.7126
Fax: 925.376.7142

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