One of the most novel events of the spring? Arizona Polo Club’s Picnic and Polo Clinic.

More than 2,400 horses from around the world compete in Arizona’s premier Arabian horse show, where visitors can also take barn tours, attend seminars and shop at more than 300 vendor booths.

An Ahwatukee Foothills man scored the original 19-foot-long black, bubble-topped car used in the 1960s “Batman” TV show for $4.2 million Saturday night at the Barrett-Jackson car auction at WestWorld in Scottsdale.

The Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction — one of the biggest events of the year in the entire Valley — cranks up Jan. 13 at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

The 42nd annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction will take over Jan. 13-20, 2013, at Westworld of Scottsdale — but you can get revved up for the auto action sooner.

The outlook for the U.S. economy brightened a little Thursday after new data pointed to improvement in hiring and greater exports, according to the Associated Press.

Arizona’s biggest horse event of the year offers an evening of free family fun. Watch Arabian horses vie for the internationally coveted Scottsdale Champion title, enjoy a meal or browse the shopping expo.

Time to shine those shoes, clip that facial hair and grease up those rippling muscles - the 57th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and Shopping Expo has begun.

Time to shine those shoes, clip that facial hair and grease up those rippling muscles — the 57th annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and Shopping Expo has begun.

In what is being billed as one of the renowned automobile show and auction's best years in some time, big spending blended with a re-emergence of the classics at the Scottsdale-based Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction very well could be a sign that the economy is starting to improve, the auction's Chairman and CEO believes.

The mother of Valley motor shows — the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction — kicks off Sunday at WestWorld of Scottsdale.

Imagine trying to hit a 3-inch ball with a wooden mallet through a pair of goalposts nine football fields away. Now picture doing it at breakneck speed on the back of a horse that’s been trained to turn on a dime and stop dead in his tracks at a split-second’s notice — all while seven other riders try to get at that same tiny ball.

Arizona Bike Week revs up Wednesday. The 15th annual rally for bikers by bikers features displays from bike builders and vendors, as well as a Miss Arizona Bike Week Pageant, bike games on the field and a friendly party atmosphere in its on-site ABW Roadhouse, Cyclefest Cantina and Handlebar Saloon.

Warning: There’s so much cuteness in this week’s Editor’s Pick that you might not be able to stand it.

The 56th annual equine extravaganza opens with a couple thousand horses, lots of competitions to watch, behind-the-scenes barn tours and a shopping expo. Opens 8 a.m. Thursday and runs through Feb. 27. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road. $7-$15. (480) 312-6802 or scottsdaleaz.gov/westworld.

Rock musician and reality-TV star Bret Michaels is among the consignors auctioning off a car at the 40th annual Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction, going on through Sunday at WestWorld of Scottsdale. Michaels will accompany his 1969 Camaro as it makes its way across the massive car show’s auction block on Saturday. The car has been featured on MTV’s “Cribs,” Vh1’s “Rock of Love” and “Bret Michaels: Life as I Know It,” and in Michaels’ latest music video, “Driven”. Along with the Camaro, the buyer will get a personalized Bret Michaels Signature Dean Custom Guitar and two tickets and backstage passes for any summer 2011 Michaels or Poison show.

Police from throughout the state joined the family of Eric Shuhandler in a day of services to mourn the loss of the slain Gilbert police lieutenant and celebrate his life. Eulogies at his funeral, held in a massive, black tent at WestWorld in Scottsdale, struck a similar theme: Shuhandler's cheerful approach to life.

The community is invited to honor slain Gilbert Police Lt. Eric Shuhandler during funeral and memorial services Tuesday and Wednesday. Shuhandler, a 16-year veteran with Gilbert, was shot and killed Thursday during a traffic stop.

Chandler Mayor Boyd Dunn announced Monday that he plans to postpone his annual State of the City address by a week because the original date, Feb. 3, coincides with funeral services for a slain Gilbert police officer.

A career criminal with a history of assaulting cops shot and killed a Gilbert police officer Thursday, according to police. Police shot and wounded the two suspects on a mountainous two-lane road after a 50-mile, high-speed chase along U.S. 60 in which the suspects fired shots at cop cars and threw objects at them from their work truck.

Explore Arizona this holiday season and travel its natural theme park. Featuring family-friendly festivals and fiestas, these events will keep your family active and in the spirit. Get lost in the festivities and visit the hospitality that Arizonans have to offer during this joyful season.

Watching the family dog plod around the backyard and snooze on the ottoman may not be all that entertaining, but seeing his more agile counterparts in action is.