Brian Stidham fell in love with Tucson. A young and talented eye surgeon, he accepted a job with another eye surgeon to take over the pediatric patients. Brad Schwartz, the ambitious and talented doctor who hired Brian, was also a troubled man who struggled with relationships, sobriety and his temper. Within a year of Brian’s arrival, the medical relationship would be severed by Brad’s troubles. Brian broke away to start his own practice. Rumors abounded that Brad was incensed and considered Brian’s departure a betrayal. Brad’s anger even drew a wedge between him and his fiancée, Lourdes Lopez, a former prosecutor whose career was shattered because of Brad. Three years after Brian moved to Tucson, his life ended in an empty, darkened parking lot. Everyone wondered who would have killed such a nice fellow. Lourdes, who had seen Brad’s toxic rage, feared she knew. Her fears weren’t enough to save Brian Stidham, but would they be enough to catch his killer? Best-selling, true-crime author A.J. Flick walks you through an uncontrolled obsession that became a toxic rage that fueled a murder and captivated Tucson and the nation.

 

 

A.J. Flick is a writer, editor and repurposed journalist. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in journalism. Her byline has appeared in numerous news websites and publications across the country, covering everything from news to sports to entertainment. She covered the case detailed in Toxic Rage, her first book, while reporting for the now-defunct Tucson Citizen newspaper. Since leaving daily journalism, she has been working as an author, freelance journalist, book editor, copywriter, screenwriter and campaign communications director. She grew up in Maryland, the Philippines, Indiana and Arizona and loves living in Tucson.
 

President CHUCK opened the meeting and JOE DANISZEWSKI gave the inspiration.  DAVE EAGLETON led us in the Pledge and Song – “God Bless America” – accompanied by GARY HIRSCH on the keys.

 

ANDY KIEL introduced our guests and Visiting Rotarians.  We had three Birthday Rotarians:

 

Happy Birthday to all!

 

VICKIE JACOBS introduced out latest new / old member, the energetic and lively DANIELLE BAILLIERE.  DANIELLE is returning to our club after a brief hiatus and has already been active in a number of committees. Welcome back DANIELLE!

 

Sergeant at Arms BOBBY LARSON recognized PAT LENNAN for being the first football All American. PAT was joined by several of his fraternity brothers in making a generous donation to the Foundation.  We had the following announcements:

 

President CHUCK reminded us of the mixer at Pastiche on May 29th (no lunch meeting) and to save 6/29/19 for the Change of Administration at Hacienda del Sol.

STACIA DECKER presented a Blue Badge to JENNY VOLPE who leads Make Way for Books, our current primary Car Show Beneficiary.

BILL MESCH presented a Blue Badge to commercial realtor PAUL HOOKER.

… and Past President JIM LUBINSKI gave an excellent presentation on Planned Giving, including a video starring President Elect BOB LOGAN and past member Fonda Isley (come back Fonda!!)

 

RICHARD WHITE introduced our speaker Elizabeth Sparks who runs the Tucson Village Farm. Elizabeth spoke on the theme of “Saving the World One Carrot at a Time”. Elizabeth is a University of Arizona faculty member and 4-H Youth Development Assistant Agent.  For her entire career she has been designing and implementing innovative programming for youth to teach them life and leadership skills.  Elizabeth is one of the founding members of Tucson Village Farm, an urban educational farm which seeks to teach kids how to grow and prepare healthy meals and inspire them to make healthy choices. Programs at the Village Farm have taught tens of thousands of kids how to grow as well as harvest, enjoy and appreciate healthy food.  As an added bonus, she invited all our members to the Farm on Mother’s Day to play “Chicken Poop Bingo” – don’t ask!

 

Ms. Sparks signed a book for our lending library: “The Farmer and Clown” and President CHUCK closed the meeting with a toast and quote from the food author Michael Pollan.