Photo Book benefitting Gulf Coast charites

[urbangranolagirl]

Hi OPR friends,

A friend of mine recently published a book called "Signs of Life: Surviving Katrina". It features over 80 photos of hand-made words and signs, shot since the hurricanes struck the Gulf Coast region of the U.S. one year ago. They chose work from 40 different photographers, who donated their work for the book.

The proceeds from the sales of the book will be donated to Common Ground Relief in New Orleans; and Hands On Gulf Coast in Biloxi. They're both still down there, doing the work that needs to be done.

The goal is to sell 3,000 of these books. That would mean theycould donate nearly $10,000 to EACH non-profit.

I hope you'll buy one.
I hope you'll tell your friends, neighbors, and family to buy one.
I hope you'll tell your co-workers.
I hope you'll tell the blogs that you like to visit about the book.
I hope you'll tell your contacts who work at newspapers and radio stations and television stations about this little book.

Click below to read all the info there is to read about this book-->
http://www.signsoflifebook.com

Click below to buy it!-->
http://www.lulu.com/signsoflifebook.com


At the very least, I encourage you to follow the link to an online slideshow of the images i the book. It is very touching and a good reminder of why we are all working so hard here.

Best wishes,

Jennifer Fanning
www.redcouchstudio.com


{{{ Below is the press release }}}


__________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lori Baker
(845) 519-9337
[email protected]

SIGNS OF LIFE: SURVIVING KATRINA
An Extraordinary Photographic Collection of Survival:One Sign at a Time

Brown & Baker Books is pleased to announce the publication of SIGNS OF LIFE: SURVIVING KATRINA ($23.95 paperback). SIGNS OF LIFE is a moving collection of photos of the hand-made signs that appeared in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina. Profits from sales of the book will go to two organizations still working in the area: Common Ground Relief and Hands On Network.

Hand-made signs—spray painted on houses, on cars, on refrigerators—were some of the first "signs of life" to appear after the flood waters receded. The signs range from the sacred to the profane, from defiant to defeated, from frightening and encouraging. The signs reveal a powerful story of those who survived the deluge.

Compiled by Eric Harvey Brown <http://flickr.com/photos/dogseat>  and Lori Baker <http://flickr.com/photos/zellie> , New York–based photographers and writers who volunteered in the Gulf Coast after the hurricane, SIGNS OF LIFE shows not only the traces of the violence of the storm, but also that much devastation remains one year later. The pictures in SIGNS OF LIFE come from more than forty photographers—including local residents, relief volunteers, and those just passing through. The images were found on flickr.com <http://flickr.com/>  and other photoblogs, and have been donated by the photographers for use in the book.

The messages in SIGNS OF LIFE remind us that everyone has a story to tell. "It's impossible to speak for the people who lived through Katrina. Far better to let them speak for themselves," says Rob Walker, author of Letters from New Orleans. "That's exactly what these sad, hopeful, funny and enraging images capture—and it's exactly what SIGNS OF LIFE is about."

"SIGNS OF LIFE is not your typical art book. Yes, the images are poignant, even beautiful," says author/illustrator Josh Neufeld, who wrote the foreword. "These are documentary photos, a recording of history, giving voice to those who left, those who stayed, and those who were left behind."

SIGNS OF LIFE: SURVIVING KATRINA is available for purchase at www.lulu.com/signsoflifebook <http://www.lulu.com/signsoflifebook> .

Review copies of SIGNS OF LIFE, as well as images suitable for publication, are available by calling (845) 519-9337, or email at [email protected].

For more information, please visit: www.signsoflifebook.com <http://www.signsoflifebook.com/>


# # # #


SIGNS OF LIFE: Surviving Katrina
Edited by Eric Harvey Brown and Lori Baker
Foreword by Josh Neufeld / Essay by Jimmy Chen

ISBN: 0-61513-337-1 / ISBN-13: 978-0-615-13337-9
U.S. $23.95
9" x 7"
68 pages, paperback
85 full-color images / 40 photographers
September 2006


# # # #


Common Ground Relief is a grassroots volunteer organization that was formed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to provide immediate aid to residents in the Gulf Coast region and long-term support in rebuilding their communities in just and sustainable ways. Since September 2005, Common Ground has an average of 150-300 volunteers on the ground at any time and a network of over 8,000 volunteers. They have provided relief to 70,000 residents in seven parishes including Orleans, St. Bernard, Plaquemine, Terrabone, St. Tammany, St. Charles and St. Marys. www.commongroundrelief.org <http://www.commongroundrelief.org/>

Hands On Network brings people together to strengthen communities through meaningful volunteer action. We are a growing network of a half million volunteers changing communities inside and outside the United States. Since September 2005, Hands On Gulf Coast has: mobilized more than 2,500 volunteers from nearly every state in the country; provided over 270,000 hours of service; gutted more than 660 houses; and delivered volunteer labor valued at $4.86M. www.handsonnetwork.org <http://www.handsonnetwork.org/> [/size][/size]

[John]

Sounds like a great effort.  Thanks for letting everyone know about it!  :up2:

[glennab]

Hi Jennifer

Thanks so much for letting us know about the book.  I'll certainly buy one for myself, and may get some as gifts.  Will also spread the word.

It's gratifying to know there are so many huge-hearted people out there.   That gets me through every day!

GG