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

Fitness

Eighty & Unstoppable

Dr. Art Mollen spills his wellness secrets—and drops a major marathon reveal Article and Photography by Every morning, at 80 years young, Dr. Art Mollen laces up his shoes and hits the pavement for five miles. After that, he swims a mile in the pool at Mountain Shadows. Later in the day, he’s on the stationary bike, lifting weights in his home gym. This isn’t about checking a box—it’s the ritual that has helped him live the life he’s long preached: movement, discipline, passion, purpose. ...

May 2025

Health + Wellness

From Sluggish to Sharp

Over 40? Here's What Your Hormones Are Trying to Tell You Article by Jordan Kopcio, D.C. N.M.D., Men’s Revival You’re doing what you’ve always done—but the results aren’t the same. Energy is lower. Gut won’t budge. The drive—in the gym, at work, in the home—just isn’t there. You chalk it up to getting older. But what if it’s more than that? For men in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, hormonal shifts are real—and they’re often overlooked. Here’s what you should know: In your 40s: Testosterone...

May 2025

Arts + Culture

The Life Tracks of Fred Mollin

From Friday the 13th to Disney Lullabies Article by Nadine Bubeck | Photography by Provided Looking for a summer read? Grab a backstage pass. Fred Mollin has composed for cult classics ( Friday the 13th ), produced hits for multiple legends, and made lullabies that helped generations of babies drift to sleep. Now, he's telling his story in Unplugged , a new memoir filled with behind-the-scenes moments, music milestones, and candid industry tales. We sat down with Fred to talk Elvis, Elton...

May 2025

Health + Wellness

Corneas to Couture

Where eye care meets Versace walls, designer heat, and A-List vibes Photography by Photography by Talisa Ordaz, Muse Haus Creative When you walk into Dr. Jay Arora’s Scottsdale office, you’re met with more than just state-of-the-art eye care—you’re stepping into his personal wall of fame. Photos, memorabilia, and notes of thanks line the space, left by some of the world’s biggest names: Devin Booker. Sean O'Malley. Jeff Hamilton. Kyler Murray. Odell Beckham Jr. The Chainsmokers. These aren’t...

May 2025

Food + Beverage

From Bighorn to Bezos

Chef J Perry’s Unscripted Rise to Private Dining Royalty Photography by Provided Before plating dinners for Aerosmith or getting calls from Jeff Bezos’ team, Chef J Perry was a skater kid bouncing between high schools, searching for direction. His culinary journey didn’t start in a classroom—it started with a broken dream, a surfboard, and a San Diego kitchen. Now a self-taught, globally seasoned chef, J is known for soulful Italian cooking and quiet confidence. We talked Boston roots...

May 2025

Sports + Recreation

Hall of Frames

From strikeouts to snapshots, Randy Johnson's lens lands at Chase Field Article by Nadine Bubeck | Photography by Barret Elengold, Scottsdale Event Photography "Photography keeps me out of trouble," Randy Johnson says with a grin, surrounded by his own work now hanging inside the Arizona Diamondbacks Hall of Fame and Museum at Chase Field. "It keeps me occupied. It keeps my mind going. And I get to share it." Tucked away on the main concourse in right field, the Arizona Diamondbacks Hall of...

May 2025