Sports + Recreation

Hall & Gonzo

Baseball, Brotherhood, and D-Backs Magic Article by Nadine Bubeck | Photography by Barret Elengold, Scottsdale Event Photography Derrick Hall is celebrating 20 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks, leading the team with heart, vision, and relentless drive. Luis “Gonzo” Gonzalez—forever etched in franchise history—remains a daily presence and hometown hero. We caught up with both for a candid chat on D-backs memories, clubhouse vibes, and community pride. Q: What excites you most about our...

May 2025

Sports + Recreation

Ballers Breaking Boxes

Game of Cards: Where Passion Meets Profit Article and Photography by For most, sports cards are a nostalgic nod to childhood. But for Billy Manzo, it’s become a career, a business, and a bridge to the big leagues. As part of Blez Sports Cards, one of the top breaking companies in the game, Billy is deep in the world where cardboard meets commerce, where a single card can command seven figures—and where major league players aren’t just on the cards, they’re collecting them, too. “I’ve been...

May 2025

Sports + Recreation

Merril Hoge Gets Real

Football, Fatherhood, and Fighting Like Hell Article by Nadine Bubeck | Photography by Provided From blue-collar beginnings to black-and-gold glory, Merril Hoge built a life on grit. He played 122 consecutive games as a running back in the NFL, beat cancer, survived open-heart surgery, raised a family, and wrote a bestselling book. Today, he's a sought-after speaker inspiring others to do the same: Find a Way. PVCL’s Nadine Bubeck sat down with Merril for an intimate tell-all interview...

May 2025

Food + Beverage

Chef Blake Luecke

21 Questions with the Chef de Cuisine at Uchi Scottsdale Photography by Provided In true Paradise Valley City Lifestyle fashion, we play 21 Questions each month with an esteemed Valley chef. This round features Blake Luecke, Chef de Cuisine at Uchi Scottsdale. Originally from Michigan, Blake’s love for food runs deep—rooted in family traditions and flavored by an impressive resume that includes creameries, boutique hotels, and vineyards. Now at the helm of Uchi Scottsdale, he’s bringing his...

May 2025