Best Bets: Saturday 1/2

10 am: Car Show

One of the premier car shows in the world comes to the undisputed car capital of the world today as the Los Angeles Auto Show opens its doors at the Los Angeles Convention Center, continuing through Jan. 10. More than 1,000 new vehicles--including everything from gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles to alternative-fuel cars--will be on display. The concept cars run the gamut from the Jeep Jeepster to the Plymouth Pronto Spider. There will be vintage vehicles, too, as well as sneak peeks at some of the 2000 models, such as the Honda S2000, BMW M5 and Jaguar S-type. We can all dream, can’t we?

* Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. $7; $5, seniors; free for children 12 and under. Ends Jan. 10. (310) 444-1850.

10 pm: Pop Music

James Intveld and Rosie Flores, two long-term stalwarts of the Los Angeles roots-rock community, join forces at 14 Below for a double dose of American music hybrids.

* James Intveld and Rosie Flores, 14 Below, 1348 14th St., Santa Monica, 10 p.m. $10. (310) 451-5040.

2 pm: Family

Here’s the test to see if you’re completely recovered from your New Year’s hangover: Go sailing and listen to cannons being fired. Six 18th century and 19th century tall ships will invade Long Beach Harbor and conduct three-hour battle reenactments--taking innocent civilians along for the ride. The Tall Ships Cannon Battles participants--Hawaiian Chieftan, Lady Washington, Californian, Pilgrim of Newport, Swift of Ipswich and the Bill of Rights--are each more than 100 feet long and powered by the wind. For the landlubbers, there are free tours at the dock.

* Tall Ships Cannon Battles at Long Beach Harbor, 2 to 5 p.m. Also Jan. 9, 2 to 5 p.m., and Sunday and Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. Adults, $40; children under 12, $20. Free guided tours of the ships Saturday and Jan. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (800) 200-LADY.

8 pm: Theater

Filled with playwright Shem Bitterman’s hilarious lowlifes, “The Job,” a dark comedy about a lifelong loser and his encounter with evil and redemption, is sparked by electric performances under Bitterman’s direction.

“The Job,” Hudson Guild, 6543 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, 8 p.m. Regular schedule: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m. (dark New Year’s Day). Ends Jan. 30. $21. (310) 289-2999.

1 pm: Family

Kids can have tons of fun getting their hands dirty and no one will yell at them. The bonus: They’ll learning about nature. It happens at the Huntington Library’s Kids’ Nature Crafts. Activities vary and are suitable for ages 3 and up.

* Huntington Library’s Kids’ Nature Crafts, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. First Saturday of every month, 1 to 3 p.m. Adults, $8.50; seniors, $7; students, $5; members and children under 12, free. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No reservations required. (626) 405-2272.

11 am: Art

There’s still time to catch the hit show “Picasso: Masterworks From the Museum of Modern Art” in its final week at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Drawn from one of the finest Picasso collections in the world, the exhibition covers more than 60 years in the artist’s career and includes all of his many different styles and techniques from his Blue and Rose periods of 1904 to his later self-portraits of 1971.

* “Picasso: Masterworks From the Museum of Modern Art,” Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Ends Jan. 4. Museum hours: Today and Monday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Weekday admission: adults, $12; seniors, $8; children 6 to17, $5; children 5 and under, free. Weekend admission: adults, $15; seniors, $12; children 6 to 17, $5; children 5 and under, free. Advance tickets are recommended: (213) 857-6000 or (213) 462-2787.

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FREEBIES: Storytime for children of all ages at Mrs. Nelson’s Toy & Book Shop, 1030 Bonita Ave., La Verne, 11 a.m. to noon. (909) 599-4558.

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Vibraphonist Dave Pike and guitarist Anthony Wilson play jazz at Borders Books and Music, 2110 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. 8 p.m. (562) 799-0486.