The Barrett-Jackson Car Collector Auction is almost upon us, folks. From January 12 to the 20th, join thousands of gear heads as they walk amongst some of the greatest cars ever made. We’ll be featuring one beautiful automobile a week until the completion of the show. Let’s take a look at the 1968 Shelby EXP 500, aka The Green Hornet. Arguably the rarest and most desirable Shelby Mustang of all time. This incredibly significant piece of Ford, Shelby and muscle car history is widely publicized and documented. Being a double-prototype and an experimental platform for innovation and design, puts this Shelby into a class of its own.

Barrett-Jackson does a lot more than providing beautiful cars for your viewing pleasure. Attracting thousands of visitors between January 15 and 22, Scottsdale Fire Fighters will be there, literally boot in hand, to accept donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. 

This is the second SFD has teamed up with Barrett-Jackson for this noble cause. Hoping to collect $10,000, the fire fighters will be at the main entrance January 19 – 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The Valley’s classic car auctions may have motored out of town, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do a little four-wheeled fantasizing. Meet Ferrari’s version of a station wagon, the 2012 Ferrari FF. Featuring four seats and a hatchback, it’s about as practical as you’ll get from this famed Italian maker of mid-life crises mobiles. After all, what better way to get the kids to school on time than with a 651 horsepower behemoth capable of going to from zero to 60mph in 3.7 seconds and topping out at 208mph?

[Uncrate]

Two of the Valley’s most infamous residents are both in the news today. First, the new mayor of Maricopa, Bristol Palin is seriously considering taking up a local radio station on its job offer. Meanwhile, Rocker and Reality TV star, Bret Michaels is recovering from a hole in his heart. And that’s not some cheesy plot song lyric or twist from his VH1 show, he literally had heart surgery.

Images via USA Today & People

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For now, it seems that the powers that be at Barrett-Jackson are sticking by their assertion that the car up for auction is the same one that transported JFK’s body following his assassination in Tucson.

“Not only did the ambulance transport JFK following his untimely death, it’s one of the finest examples of an un-restored ambulance from that time period,” stated Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson. “It’s also, without a doubt, one of the most significant and historical vehicles ever offered for sale.”

Read the original story below:

Ugh. This one’s hard to write because we love the Barrett-Jackson car auction, and frankly, our state doesn’t need any more black eyes. But it looks like the much-hyped JFK ambulance that is scheduled to be auctioned off tomorrow is a (near-perfect) FAKE.

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Do you hear that revving sound? That’s the sound of lead-footed gear heads from around the world burning rubber into North Scottsdale. Yes, it’s car auction week here in the Valley as no less than five major auto extravaganzas (RM, Gooding and Co., Russo and Steele, Silver Auctions and Barrett-Jackson) will be dropping the gavel on some $100M worth of rare collector cars.

That said, there’s no doubt that the biggest and baddest AZ auction is still the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event at Scottsdale’s WestWorld, which kicked off its 40th anniversary event this Wednesday. And since it’s been a weird day for Barrett-Jackson, we thought we’d bring you some positive news: a Q&A with famed Rocker, and part-time Valley resident, Bret Michaels, who will be appearing tomorrow at the Scottsdale-based auction.

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Hope you’re ready to put some happy in your holidays because today we’re dishing out not one, but two grand prize packages. Why don’t you try this one on for size: A cut, color, style, facial and waxing service from Inizio Salon courtesy of Spa Fit AZ + 1 pair of tickets to every show in Ballet Arizona’s 2010-2011 season + a $150 gift certificate to the sumptuous J&G Steakhouse. And speaking of the posh penthouse that is J&G, click here to read a tasty Q&A with the French-born chef who’s putting a Continental twist on the classic American chophouse.

Then again, maybe you’d prefer what’s behind door #2: A 1 night stay at the W Scottsdale on New Year’s Eve + a $100 gift certificate to the W’s sleek, stylish Sushi Roku + a timepiece of choice from Swisstek Watches Brillier luxury line. Now that’s some good gifting. First, however, we’ve got a little Weekend Guiding to get to.

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Scoop Factory is still dishing up daily freebies, like this fab Neiman Marcus prize package. (Sadly, the walk-in gingerbread house is not included):

Now celebrating its 50th Anniversary, Neiman Marcus’ “The Christmas Book” is an ode to seriously-over-the-top gift giving. Are you looking for a $1.5M pool sculpture designed by famed blown-glass artist, Dale Chihuly? Or maybe a customizable cupcake car tricked out with your favorite toppings (it’s just as silly as it sounds). Or why not spoil the little ones with your basic walk-in Edible Gingerbread Playhouse (pictured), a $15,000 munchable manor handcrafted of 381 lbs. of gourmet gingerbread and 517 lbs. of royal icing by those crazed confectioners at Dylan’s Candy Bar? For realsies!

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Scoop up this amazing offer from Scoop Factory:

For decades, Cave Creek was everybody’s fav place to kick back, cowboy up and knock back a few cold ones. Unlike neighboring (and super chichi) Carefree, Cave Creek has always been a jeans and T-shirt sort of place. A charming little tourist trap where you can shop for tchotchkes at The Town Dump (seriously), and then jump into the rodeo ring and ride a live bull (seriously crazy). But times they are a’changing in Cave Creek (RIP Satisfied Frog), and it all has to do with a certain goateed chef with a five-star pedigree and a passion for farm-fresh ingredients.

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Sign up today, because it’s the final week of the Scoop Factory Scoopstakes:

Happy Monday, ya’ll. Which is something we could only say while in the middle of our Scoop Factory Scoopstakes. Today, we’ve got something for both the foodies and the shopaholics out there. Which, as far as we can tell, describes every single Scoop reader, so please to enjoy.

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Scoop Factory‘s wrapping up week one on its Scoopstakes with an engine-revving good time.

It’s crazy how time flies when you’re having fun. Yes, we’ve come to the end of the first week of the Scoop Factory Scoopstakes. But fear not, because we’ve got a whole ‘nother week of amazing freebies coming up, including not one, but two separate Grand Prize packages. However, before we get to today’s giveaway, we’ve got some Weekend Guiding to take care of first.

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Scoop Factory continues to throw around the freebies with reckless abandon:

Here at Scoop Factory, we always walk on the sunny side of the street. Which is why we’re happy to report that the Valley’s most recent real estate crash is officially over. Finito. Dunzo. TTFN. Sure, the so-called experts might use fancy figures (and actual facts) to say otherwise, but we have indisputable proof. Real estate developers are back in the party throwing business. We’re talking the sort of lavish, over-the-top shindigs that make us want to party like it’s 2005.

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Scoop Factory‘s going old-timey with today’s giveaway, and the freebies will just keep coming fast and furious through next Friday:

This one’s for you, gentlemen. (Well sort of, because we’ve got an equally indulgent treat just for the ladies. See below.) But let’s focus on the guys for a minute. Not boys mind you, but men. Manly men. The sort of man who always dresses to the nines, drinks his scotch straight up and gets his hair cut at an old fashioned barber shop. Who doesn’t want to be that guy?

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Want to win freaking awesome freebies? Sign up for Scoop Factory and you’ll start receiving free prize offers like this one:

A few weeks back, we reported that the US Airways Center recently wrapped up a much-needed culinary makeover. Now, our office-mates at Desert Living Today are reporting that one famed local chef will be doing the same thing for the super-corporate eateries inside Sky Harbor Airport.

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Still haven’t signed up for our free daily email magazine, Scoop Factory? Better hurry because you’re missing out on a flurry of freebies:

Today’s the day. Yes, all this week and the next, we’ll be giving away one awesome prize package per day as part of our Second Annual Scoop Factory Scoopstakes. It will all culminate one week from Friday when we’ll hand out our Grand Prize package, including a one-night stay at W Scottsdale on New Year’s Eve + a $100 Sushi Roku gift certificate + a timepiece of choice from Swisstek Watches Brillier luxury line. However, today we’re starting you off with a tasty teaser: A $250 gift certificate towards a Chef’s Table dinner at Michael DeMaria’s Heirloom Restaurant.
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Get ready for a flurry of freebies because Scoop Factory’s annual Scoopstakes is back and bigger than ever! What’s a Scoopstakes, you ask? It’s our way of saying “thank you” to our 17,000-plus subscribers for being so darned awesome. But wait, what’s a Scoop Factory? It’s our FREE daily magazine that delivers the latest in local dining, style, design news, as well as insider tips and exclusive events.

More important, Scoop Factory dishes out freaking amazing freebies and subscriber-only prize packages, all year-round. And for 10 full days this December, we’ll be giving away AMAZING prize packages top local restaurants, boutiques, salons and resorts. (Think: 1 pair of tickets to every show in Ballet Arizona’s 2010-2011 season + A cut, color, style, facial and waxing service from Inizio Salon courtesy of Spa Fit AZ.)

Want to win? Simply sign up for our FREE email publication at www.scoopfactory.com, and we’ll deliver daily Scoops right to your email inbox. Conditions of entry will vary, but one thing is for sure, if you’re not signed up you can’t win. Here’s a sneak peek at the goodies we’re throwin’ your way, but shhhh … you didn’t hear it from us!

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While exiting the soaring tents of this year’s Scottsdale Fashion Week, it was difficult not to notice the mesmerizing glow emanating from a certain tow trailer. Yes, trailer. Manned by local artisan, Heidi Martincic, this campy camper housed the most impressive setup of jewelry and eye-catching trinkets we’d ever seen. Think: chic gypsy flea market and you’ve summed up Paris Montana, Martinicic’s way-cool line of jewelry and accessories. Recently, DLT sat down with Martincic to talk about her often bumpy journey from a Mercedes-driving corporate type to a Jeep  and Airstream-traveling fashionista. Check out more of Heidi’s story and some pieces from her collection (as well as the trailer) after the jump!

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