Lower Downtown District, Inc.

PROFILE

Jun 24, 1999

New LDDI Membership Director & Newsletter Editor Tell (Almost) All!

It's a little scary.

One of my first jobs as the new newsletter editor for LoDown was to interview Shelley O'Neill, LDDI's new membership director, and write a profile about both of
us. After a few minutes, I thought I found a twin sister who'd been hiding out in Texas.

We're both rollerbladers, skiers and bikers who can't understand why anyone wouldn't go to the mountains every weekend. We're authors of not-yet-published manuscripts
and entrepreneurs of self-published books. We're red wine lovers who keep trying microbrews. We're spouses to techies who ran away with us, trading the rat race and the real world for the mountains of Colorado and the city of Denver.

But there are differences. While we both ski, Shelley was raised in Colorado Springs and does it well. I broke my collarbone on a pathetically easy "blue" run
last December. We both love chocolate, but Shelley's a "recovering addict" and I'm a born-again believer in the stuff. Shelley's determined to live and work without a
car while I'm pretty attached to my Blazer. And, perhaps the biggest difference...last weekend, Shelley went to a yoga compound and studied meditation while I tried (unsuccessfully) to get my two-year-old son to sit through three innings of a Rockies game.

But similarities and differences aside, one thing remains constant: passion for LoDo and LDDI. We're both committed to our new positions and while Shelley searches
for unique ways to fulfill the needs of members, I'll continue to look for better ways to communicate to them.



Laurie Rachkus Uttich
LDDI Newsletter Editor

What's your experience?

I've been a writer most of my life, but I've only been paid for it during the last 10 years. Since then, I've worked in ad agencies, marketing firms and a publishing house.

What book did you write?

When I was pregnant, I wrote Blind Spot, a non-fiction book for my son. As I tell please-be publishers, it's about "stripping away the skin of the world, exposing its
soul, and offering it in open hands to an unborn child."

Favorite books: The best book I read this month was Anne Tyler's Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant.

Favorite movies: I think this year's best film was Life is Beautiful.

Hobbies: Black and white photography, gardening and making fancy noodles with my pasta machine.

What do you want to do for LDDI?

I want LoDown to be a strong communication medium that reflects the passion, excitement and energy of LDDI and its members.

What's your philosophy of life?

It took me 30,000 words in a book to describe this to my son! But to sum it up: choose hope over cynicism, action over despair, love over fear...and make the decision to be happy.



Shelley O'Neill
LDDI Membership Director

What's your experience?

I have over 10 years experience in sales and economic development as well as freelance writing. My last job was Customer Relations Coordinator for a Texas power
company where I was responsible for advertising, marketing and public relations.

What book did you write?

I wrote a desktop display book called "53 Affirmations for Sales Perfectionists." And I wrote a contemporary fiction novel that still needs work!

Favorite books: I love everything by Anne Rice.

Favorite movies: I loved The Shining. I even went to Estes Park to see the Stanley Hotel.

Hobbies: Anything outdoors and just recently I started learning to play the electric bass guitar. My husband plays guitar and as soon as I get good enough, we're starting a band!

What do you want to do for LDDI?

I want to get to know everyone in the district and their individual needs. Then, keep adding activities and programs that will make LDDI even more beneficial to members.

What's your philosophy of life?

Love what you do, but work to live...don't live to work.