Thursday, December 30, 2010

Happy New Year!

Fidelity Investments just released info on how the new tax laws may affect you. Here's what is recommended: "Make tax-smart charitable year-end contributions if you haven’t already. For this year, given the stock market’s gains, donating long-term appreciated securities may be a particularly tax-savvy strategy. As a general rule, donations of long-term appreciated securities (either stock or mutual funds) directly to a qualified charity are deductible at their fair market value on the date of contribution, and you don’t pay capital gains taxes on the donated security." In 2010. be the Star You Are!® was rated as a Great Non Profit. Reviews at www.GreatNonprofits.org/organizations/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc
Make a donation before Dec. 31 to Be the Star You Are!® 501 c and get tax write-offs.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Happy Holidays!

Profile videographer and director, Robert Mohr, has created a wonderful short video about Be the Star You Are!® programs with stars Jacqueline and Vivien. Check it out! http://www.mohrproductions.com/shine.html

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND GRATITUDE!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Holiday Shopping!

READ THIS BEFORE YOU DO ANY HOLIDAY SHOPPING! Please make every gift count this holiday season. You can find coupons at more than 1,600 top stores )& a percentage of virtually every sale will be donated to "BE THE STAR YOU ARE!" Just go to GoodShop at http://www.goodshop.com, select our cause and then click over to your favorite store and shop away! Add our toolbar to your browser at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar. Your purchases earn a donation There's no easier way to support us this holiday season! Please spread the word. BE THE STAR YOU ARE!
Thanks so much.

Holiday Shopping

Gardening at the Movies

Founder and Executive Director, Cynthia Brian, of Be the Star You Are!® charity talks about the importance of service in this article, Gardening at the Movies. PDF: http://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue0420/pdf/Gardening-at-the-Movies.pdf

To make a donation to Be the Star You Are!® 501c3 visit, http://www.bethestaryouare.org

Friday, December 3, 2010

Happy December!

'Tis the season of giving!
SHOP YOUR FAVORITE STORES WHILE MAKING A DONATION. Write Be the Star You Are! as your charity of choice.http://www.igive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=30993&m=421262 and buy books at Amazon at deep discounts here: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Happiness

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FEATURED IN DOCUMENTARY ON HAPPINESS
On November 12 in Los Angeles, California the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® c
harity (http://www.bethestaryouare.org) was privileged to walk the Red Carpet at the world movie premiere of documentary Tapping the Source where a sold out audience of 1200 filled the Agape Theatre. Over one hundred renowned scientists, actors, authors, athletes, spiritual leaders, philanthropists, and healers from around the globe revealed the source of happiness and abundance. Produced by Bill Gladstone, Richard Greninger, and Gayle Newhouse, Tapping the Source was filmed around the world showcasing the wisdom of Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Dannion Brinkley, Monique Coleman, Cathy Lee Crosby, Barbara DeAngelis, Tanya Roberts, Neale Donald Walsch, Mariel Hemingway, Jean Houston, Barbara Maxx Hubbard, Cynthia Brian, and more.
Cynthia Brian has been a pioneer in the personal growth and achievement movement for two decades. She believes that abundance and happiness are our birthrights and that we all have the ability to live lives of meaning. "I am honored to be profiled in this illustrious film which offers the secret to success and fulfillment. My entire life has been dedicated to helping others achieve their dreams and reach their goals. Everything is possible. Tapping the Source is another method to reach an audience in need of positive messages." Some say Tapping the Source is a movie, others call it a movement. Tapping the Source will shift your consciousness providing a journey of awareness and joy. Of course, Cynthia wore stars to represent her dedication to Be the Star You Are!®
As my special holiday THANK YOU gift to you, Cynthia Brian will personally send you an autographed copy of her “heart” book, Be the Star You Are!®, 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference for FREE when you make a donation to the charity of $100 or more. You’ll get a tax receipt, help programs for women, youth, and families while enjoying an inspirational gift to share. Email her directly to make your charitable donationand receive your FREE gift.

View photos:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=571363&id=558000327&l=2c0d858474

Buy DVD:http://www.tappingthesourcemovie.com/

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Reading Tub & Be the Star You Are!

Terry Doherty, the founder of the The Reading Tub, was interviewed about her work with children's books. Be the Star You Are!® has been a long time partner with the Reading Tub in providing book reviews from our STAR TEEN BOOK REVIEWERS. It has been a supportive relationship that benefits teachers, families, librarians, and the kids themselves. Read all about it: http://www.childrensbooksandreviews.com/children-reading-and-literacy-interview-with-terry-doherty-of-the-reading-tub/

You are invited to a world movie premiere!

In Los Angeles, California on Friday, November 12, you are invited to attend the world movie premiere of Tapping the Source which will have a Red Carpet Celebration beginning at 6:30pm with the film to follow at 8pm at the Agape International Spiritual Center, 5700 Buckingham Parkway, Culver City, Ca. 90230. 115 renowned scientists, actors, authors, athletes, spiritual leaders, philanthropists, and healers reveal the source of happiness and abundance. We are proud that the Founder/Executive Director of Be the Star You Are! charity, Cynthia Brian, is among the people profiled in the film. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door with the Red Carpet Premiere event package costing $100 per person. Go to http://www.agapelive.com for tickets or call 310-348-1250. The film will be followed by a Q & A session with the celebrities in attendance.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Pear Festival

Thanks to our teen event chairpersons, Jacqueline and Vivien, the 2010 Pear Festival was a success. The children had a wonderful time with the five craft projects. Also our sincerest gratitude to Robert Mohr, videographer extraordinaire, who shot the day for our new web TV series. If you'd like to volunteer, contact us at www.bethestaryouare.org

The Best of Red Room

Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS is being featured in the BEST OF RED ROOM at http://redroom.com/home?destination=home.
The book was given a great review by author and blogger Martha Cheeves. Martha's full review can be viewed at http://marthaskitchenkorner.blogspot.com/2010/08/be-star-you-are-for-teens-cynthia-brian.html.
Please go check it out!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Giving Effect

Looking for a great way to help Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity? Check out our newest collaboration with The Giving Effect. Feel good, make a donation, get a tax receipt.
http://bethestaryouare.thegivingeffect.com

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

7th Annual Essay Contest from Be the Star You Are!®

Be the Star You Are!® literacy charity is pleased to announce its 7th Annual Essay Contest sponsored by US Bank running from October 18, 2010-January 18, 2011. Win $100 plus guest appearance on the nationally syndicated radio program, Be the Star You Are!® www.bethestaryouareradio.com, publication in our Star Searcher Express newsletter and at www.bethestaryouare.org, and an autographed copy of Be the Star You Are!®. A value of $700.


Topic: “How do we create more happiness and abundance in our lives through service to others?”


Tax deductible entry fee donation is $10. For guidelines, visit www.bethestaryouare.org or email info@bethestaryouare.org

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Help the San Bruno Fire Victims

Make a donation to help the families of the San Bruno fire inferno through OPERATION San Bruno Fire Relief. Be the Star You Are!® is donating cases of books and other resources to the blast victims. For a donation of $99, our volunteers will package a full case of appropriate materials. Any amount is appreciated. Donate today at http://www.bethestaryouare.org/donate.htm. All our contributions are 100% tax deductible. Thank you for helping us help them.

Calling all authors...

If you are an author looking for great promotion on an international scale, you may benefit from the exposure on our syndicated radio program, Starstyle-Be the Star You Are! which has been broadcasting live every week since 1998. Contact radio@bethestaryouare.com for details. Donations are to the 501 c3, Be the Star You Are!® and 100% tax deductible. Market yourself while making a difference. Make sute to read the PRAISE section at www.bethestaryouare.org

Thursday, September 9, 2010

11th Anniversary

September 9, 2010 marks the 11th anniversary of the founding of Be the Star You Are!® charity. Thanks to all our volunteers and supporters for your continued belief in empowering women, families, and youth through improved literacy and positive media. We grow people! Read, lead, succeed! Make a donation today at www.bethestaryouare.org

Saturday, August 28, 2010

A Book and A Dish

Be the Star You Are! for teens has been featured by famed reviewer, blogger, and author Martha Cheeves. She includes Cynthia's recipe for the best apple pie ever in her Book and Dish blog. Check it out here.
Pick up a copy of our book at http://www.bethestaryouare.com or for premium sales email the charity at info@bethestaryouare.org. All proceeds benefit literacy, women, families, and youth!

From all of us at Be the Star You Are! Charity, we hope you've had a fantastic summer!

Friday, June 11, 2010

Letters For Literacy

Be the Star You Are!®, a top rated non profit needs 44 cent stamps for its Letters for Literacy Campaign. If you want to donate to the program via PAYPAL, please visit www.bethestaryouare.org and click on DONATE. If you have random stamps of any denomination that you wish to get rid of, we'll be delighted to take any and all. Send in an envelope to Be the Star You Are!® charity, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556. THANKS FOR HELPING.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Be the Star You Are! Voted as a Great Nonprofit!

Local Moraga Charity Named Top-Rated Nonprofit Organization

Supporters have spoken! BE THE STAR YOU ARE!(r), 501 c3 has been named to a new list of top-rated nonprofits by GreatNonprofits, the leading provider of user reviews for nonprofit organizations. During May, 2010, over 46,000 people read and wrote reviews about 368 nonprofits serving and empowering women. Of those 368, 154 charities were selected to be honored as a top-rated charity.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Write On!

Orinda Books hosted a WRITE ON discussion and books signing for Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS with contributors Arlyn Van Dyke, Rachel Glass, Cynthia Brian, Jacqueline Tao, Courtney Cheng, and Gaby Gryko.
Flutist Carol Albans performed beautiful solos on her flute between readings and discussions.
The book may be purchased at your favorite retailer, online or at
http://www.bethestaryouare.com/Store.html.

Also, it's the final days for the Women's Empowerment Campaign 2010 sponsored by GuideStar and Great Non Profits. Be the Star You Are!® hopes you want to give a 5 star review and share your experiences. Your words of encouragement can make a difference for the future of literacy. Take a minute to write a review. Go to www.greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc
Thanks for your support.
Read, lead, succeed.
We want to grow people!

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Be the Star You Are! for Teens discussion


Please join the fun at Orinda Books this Saturday, May 22 from 3-4:30pm when local contributors of the new book, Be the Star You Are! for TEENS - Simple Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, Learning, and Leading, join Cynthia Brian to read their chapters and offer a panel discussion called WRITE ON! about the writing/publishing process. You'll also be treated to music from flutist Carol Alban as well as receive free goodies.
Bring friends, family, and anyone who is interested in telling a story or writing a book. More info at Be the Star You Are!. Address is 276 Village Square, Orinda, CA, 94563
Looking forward to support from the community! Thanks and see you there!
[PS: Gardening questions are also welcomed.]

Thursday, May 13, 2010

GuideStar Women's Empowerment Campaign Promotion

We just received word from Karen Kitchel, the President of Cheerful Givers in Minnesota, that Be the Star You Are! Charity has been featured in GuideStar Women's Empowerment Campaign Promotion!

Please help us out by writing a review. It only takes a few minutes!

Thanks to everyone who has helped and is currently helping!

Terrific Moraga Faire

We had a fantastic time at the Moraga Faire on May 8th! Much thanks go to everyone who helped out, especially our Event Chairperson, Jacqueline Tao!










Friday, May 7, 2010

Women's Empowerment Campaign

The author of the Great Nonprofits blog writes about Be the Star You Are!® charity.

An organization reviewed by volunteers is Be The Star You Can Be! in Moraga, CA, which is dedicated to helping “women, families, and youth ... discover their passion, learn life skills, gain effective conflict management skills, and build self-esteem through increased literacy and positive programs.”

“Be the Star You Are! is a small, grassroots charity that delivers big time results,” wrote volunteer hilary 1. “Almost all of the charity's volunteers are teenagers who are gaining leadership skills while they give their time and energy to fulfilling the mission of the Be the Star You Are!, which is distributing positive books and media to at-risk youth and women in the community.”

These and other nonprofits highlighted during the 2010 Women's Empowerment Campaign have the opportunity of making the GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Women's Empowerment Nonprofits List, to be announced at the end of the campaign.

To read the full blog visit:-- http://greatnonprofits.org/gnpblog/

Friday, April 9, 2010

National Volunteer Week

Give a little, gain a lot by lending a hand during National Volunteer Week, April 18-24. Be the Star You Are!® needs stamps for its literacy program. If you have any random postage stamps, stuck in a drawer, send them to Be the Star You Are!® charity, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556. For a donation of only $99, our volunteers will ship a case of books valued at $500 or more to the cause, organization, school, or charity of your choice. All tax deductible. There are lots of ways to volunteer your time, so email us at info@bethestaryouare.org. For more information on the charity, visitwww.bethestaryouare.org.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Spring has sprung...

May is just around the corner, so we at Be the Star You Are! Charity felt we should let everyone know:
May is National Teen
Self Esteem month. We want to encourage everyone to buy copies of Be the Star You Are!® for TEENS to pump up the confidence and self direction of the adolescents in their lives. Also available are fantastic T-shirts and Tank tops with the slogan, Be the Star You Are! "Read, Lead, Succeed!"
Books are available from bookstores, online, or autographed copies as well as the shirts may be purchased directly from
http://www.bethestaryouare.com/Store.html.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

One Page at a Time... [a short piece on Be the Star You Are! Charity]

ONE PAGE AT A TIME!
by Firoza Diddee

So, the stage is set for a fresh take on this New Year, beginning with the birth of spring..

Off with the Negativity in life and let the Positivity come on in!!

This proved to be a more daunting task strangely enough.

In today’s life and living, we are so bombarded constantly and consistently with the ranting and ravings of negativity in all of its glory that there does not really seem to be room to seek a smidgen of Positivity, that glimmer of the Good out there.

So, I began with a simple quest of seeking to share myself in some way, somewhere and went to the Source of All Knowledge.......the World Wide Web!!

I typed in “Volunteer Opportunity” and came across the organization, VolunteerMatch.org. This organization has worked very hard to spread its reach over all sorts of media...web searches, magazines, newspapers, press releases etc, etc. An exceptionally well laid out website, it has ample avenues for someone to seek to join an organization and share of one’s time and talent.
 Drawn to Women’s and Children’s causes, I sought out organizations that were working along those lines.

I found one that intrigued me simply by its name...Be The Star You Are!® 501 c3.

The organization has its foundation in Literacy, Children, and Youth.

So, I found myself sending out a short reach out message to the organizer team outlining who I am and what my strengths are as well. Lo and behold…I get a prompt response back from the team wanting to set up a time to connect and share more.

Now, I find myself researching this organization and being lead to a zillion links online and all ending back at this human dynamo of Positivity, Cynthia Brian!!!

"How many hours are in YOUR day?”, I find myself asking, breathlessly, just blown away by just how many things are going on with this powerhouse of a lady. Warm and sunny, the answer comes back with a pat, " I am passionate about my life, about what I do and about reaching out and sharing much that is good and great in the world...that keeps me going, I guess", says Cynthia.

"The youth are our future and we need to make sure that they get the message that the world is a good place, that all news out there is not all bad, that there is so much good happening that never makes it to the pages to the newspaper, the evening news or the latest Tweet…but, it is out there and…it is within each young life."

Authoring a small treatise in Positive thinking for the new generation, Cynthia authored the book, "Be The Star You Are!® for TEENS", the pages offering up small, short stories co-written by teens that highlight the good and the positive in their world. 


Cynthia is often asked why she founded the charity.

While working on her radio show interviewing authors, Cynthia realized that in the Publishing and Book world, there are so many countless books that are published and then, after a certain period of time and/or lack of sales, get relegated to being destroyed, burned, or dumped in the landfill!! A lot of publications are based on passions such as history, arts, cookery, food, gardening, mind and body, esoteric sciences and other such. Each of these books with their authors and collaborators had their brief moment in the sun and now, these books were no longer going to command the market. Stores needed to make room for the New coming in. In her quest to save trees while empowering others, Cynthia immediately envisaged a literacy charity, one that could serve as a conduit for eager minds and the publishers of these books. Since 1999, Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 literacy and positive media charity has served approximately 209,800 individuals and families within 70 organizations and has logged more than 229,880 volunteer hours, while distributing over $1.6 million in resources., impacting the intellect positively, one page at a time!