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July 2017 Newsletter for BTSYA

Miracle Moment®
In less time than it takes to tell what a tough day you’ve had, you could be relaxing already.
~Source unknown

A Message From Our Founder, Cynthia Brian

Summertime and the living is easy or perhaps easier, at least that’s what the songs tell us. Kids are out of school, families enjoy vacations, barbecues, concerts, and cookouts. Interestingly for many of the volunteers of Be the Star You Are!®, we are busier than usual reading books, writing reviews, planning radio broadcasts, and working on new book projects. Since spring, eleven new teen book reviewers have joined our STAR Book Review Team and our Book Review Coordinator, Maria Wong is posting new reviews daily. Read reviews at http://www.btsya.com/book_reviews.html.

Chelsea Pelchat, our Teen Event Coordinator has planned a pop-up orchestra recital for Saturday, July 15th at 2:30pm at Aegis Living in Moraga, California with our musician volunteers. More info at http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events .Elizabeth Aquilar, our Newsletter Director, continues to assemble this monthly circular in between her exciting travels. Read about her latest adventure here.
I am busy proofing the final publishers copy of my new book, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, with pre-orders available now at http://www.cynthiabrian.com/books. 25% of the proceeds from the book will benefit BTSYA. Our most exciting news is our work on the third book in the Be the Star You Are!® series, Be the Star You Are!® for Millennials, with extraordinarily poignant chapters from 30+ BTSYA volunteers, supporters, and radio personalities. 100% of all proceeds will be directly donated to BTSYA to continue our uplifting, life-enhancing literacy and positive media message programs. This is a gift of love is keeping me very occupied with writing, editing, proofing, and communicating with our talented contributors. In 2018 we will base the themes of our weekly radio broadcasts on StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio to a specific chapter in the book, inviting authors and experts with complementary ideas. It is going to be a spectacular season and the book is going to be a fabulous read.

We will again have a booth at the Pear and Wine Festival in September and are seeking sponsors. Thinking ahead to our 20th anniversary in 2019, we are in search of a talented event coordinator to help us celebrate. If that person is you, please email me at Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org.
Enjoy summer. Stay cool! (And I have a few easy tips for you to do just that listed below!)Swim, play, spend time with family and friends, and take it a bit easier. You deserve a break and if you can’t have a week long holiday, try Karen Kitchel’s 6 Minute Vacation below.
Whatever you do, make time to make a difference in the life of someone else. Everyone counts.
With gratitude and joy for your support,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 422
Moraga, Ca. 94556
925-377-STAR
www.BetheStarYouAre.org
www.BTSYA.org
Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

TIPS ON STAYING COOL THIS SUMMER
1. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine when it’s hot as they cause dehydration.
2. Use sunscreen every day and reapply as directed.
3. Wear a hat and cotton clothing.
4. Avoid sports and high-energy activities when it’s really hot, especially mid day.
5. Take a dip in the pool, wade in a river, swim in a lake, play in the sea, or just take a cool shower.
6. Relax in the shade. A cold cloth around your neck helps.
7. Keep ceiling fans on, close draperies and window treatments during the heat of the day. Open windows for cross ventilation when the temperatures are lower at night.
8. Make sure your pets have plenty of water.
Enjoy this wonderful season of the year when you can be outside in nature.

6 MINUTE VACATIONS
By Karen Kitchel
Summer disappears so quickly that we all need to pack in as much vacation time as possible.  While trips to faraway places are nice, our bodies and souls can use fun breaks far more often than we can pack a suitcase.
Consider taking a six-minute vacation every day this summer.  Begin by making a list of the little things you enjoy doing like eating an ice cream cone, picking some wildflowers,  listening to your two favorite songs,  looking at vacation photos from years ago,  or closing your eyes and imagining you are in Bora Bora enchanted by the turquoise water.  Then take that list and schedule six minute vacations on your calendar for every day that’s left of summer.
You just might find these six minutes every day are your favorite part of summer.
Karen Kitchel is passionate about helping those in need. As President of the Cheerful Givers nonprofit organization, she helped to bring birthday gifts to more than one million less fortunate children. Prior to that, she created a corporate university at BI Worldwide.  Currently she serves meals to the homeless, is a job coach, teacher, writer and mentor. She can be reached at karenkitchel@comcast.net.

Somewhat Sleepless in Seattle
An Update from Liz Aguilar

Leaving home again to start up research wasn’t easy after having a month of vacation at home. While I loved the idea of traveling again, I had gotten quite comfortable enjoying home, family, and friends. But the longer I explore Seattle, the more I love it more each day. I’m extremely grateful and lucky to have already made wonderful friends and to have supportive mentors working with me in lab on my research. For those of you who may not know me as well, I’m majoring in biochemistry and minoring in computer science with the hopes of someday pursuing graduate school to study computational biology. With my work, I’d love to be able to help make advances in medicine by understanding the underlying cause of genetic diseases. The University of Washington in Seattle has so far provided me with a wonderful environment to personally grow and learn from other peers who are also motivated to make a difference through their work.

While research has been enjoyable, exploring the city has given me a greater appreciation for the culture and the beautiful pacific northwest. Last weekend, I went on a seven mile hike with several friends in the Bandera Mountains, which are just an hour away from the city. While the hike was long and challenging, the gorgeous views and sights were absolutely stunning. It truly reminded me of when I was back in Switzerland!

I hope to continue making these memorable experiences and I hope to also share them with you. I hope you are all doing well and that you also manage to take time for yourself to enjoy this wonderful summer!

p.s – Seattle hasn’t had a drop of rain since late May!

Shop, Give, and Get Connected
If you would like to make a direct donation to our giving fund, please visit our PayPal page!
https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/search-cause?charityId=1504&s=3
Ways to Help

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882
2. Discounted books at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity
3. Buy or Sell on EBAY:http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/be-the-star-you-are-501-c-3/1504/?favorite=link
4. Use GoodSearch to search the web & buy from your favorite stores,. Choose Be the Star You Are as your charity to support. You can log in with Facebook, too! http://www.goodsearch.com/goodto-go/be-the-star-you-are
5. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA
6. BTSYA Logo Store: http://btsya.rylees.net
7. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash back at 1800+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA: https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc
8. Designer Clothes to Buy or Sell: https://www.unionandfifth.com/charities/be-the-star-you-are-moraga-ca/shop

If you would like to make a direct donation to our giving fund, please visit our Paypal page! https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/search-cause?charityId=1504&s=3

Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!®
Positive Results: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results
About Us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us
Programs: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs
How to Help: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help
Blog:http://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog
Events:http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events
Contact us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact
GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/

Please join us on Star-Style Radio and Express Yourself! Teen Radio. Please also visit our calendar to find local events. http://www.BetheStarYouAreRadio.com
Care to see what other people are saying about us? See our reviews at Great Non-Profits! GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/

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