Rides

Man and Woman on Scooter, New Media installation, LACMA, 2004. And coming soon to a local cable channel or Jumbotron. With visual effects by Zoic Studios and music by Groove Addicts, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has unveiled its first commercial. Featuring a couple riding around the city on a scooter, the spot ends with the two driving into the museum galleries, parking in front of a painting.

At its bankruptcy filing last June, General Motors Corp. announced drastic cutbacks in its domestic and international operations but kept its South American subsidiary off the auction block. In a recent interview at the regional headquarters here of what is now General Motors Co., GM-Mercosur President Jaime Ardila explained why. Simply put, he said GM's Brazil operation, the company's third-largest after those in the U.S. and China, is the company's "most valuable asset" in profitability and growth potential.

A chance for free rides on the carrousel, bumper cars and a giant slide would be enough to lure many families to Kids' Day today at the Santa Monica Pier, but there's much more to keep families busy throughout the day. Early risers can head for Douglas Park, at Wilshire Boulevard and Chelsea Street, for a fishing derby in the park's pond from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The rest of the activities (all free) will take place from noon to 5 p.m. on and around the pier. At the south parking lot at the foot of Bay Street, a skateboarding competition begins at noon and is open to all comers, who will be grouped by age. Sand sculpting, supervised by volunteers from the Westside Children's Museum, will take place on the beach north of the pier.

Jockey Rafael Bejarano saved the best for last on Wednesday's final day of the 37-day Del Mar meeting. He guided Rolling Fog to a 11/4-length triumph over Know More in the Grade I, $300,000 Del Mar Futurity, giving him a record 13 stakes victories, the most by any jockey in a Del Mar meeting. "Sweet. Oh, so sweet," Bejarano said. He also won the jockey title. It was the 11th Futurity win for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, whose father and mentor, Bill Baffert Sr., died Monday at his home in Nogales, Ariz.

A survivor of Hurricane Katrina is drawing big crowds at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia. The Road Runner Express roller coaster was moved to the Southern California amusement park from Six Flags New Orleans, where it operated for more than 10 years until the 2005 hurricane inundated the now-closed park. Reclaimed roller coasters are not new to the theme park industry. But more rides have been recycled in the last decade with the closure of several parks that have been victims of the economic recession or natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.

Programs offering free rides to drunk drivers have been busy so far this holiday season, but the onslaught of calls to transport intoxicated revelers is still to come, according to representatives of two organizations. Both the Taxitime and CareCab services are available only to people who become intoxicated at public places, such as bars or restaurants, not private parties. Rides of up to 20 miles are free.

I'm disappointed by the elitist article on bicycles ("Let It Ride," by Claire Martin, Jan. 6). There were no suggestions (if one is financially challenged or just needs transportation) for where to find cheap bicycles, such as on Craigslist, or at the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores or bike auctions. As gas prices continue to increase, many locals will begin riding bikes because they have to--not to show off! John Holmstrom Hollywood

Imagine a really big playground with loads of fun diversions for kids, some history and culture for parents, and hardly anyone else around. Throw in a taste of luxuriant decadence and a touch of risk and you have the makings of a successful and, if you wish, inexpensive family weekend getaway close to home--exploring the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Think of it. In one weekend, our 6-year-old daughter Sean was able to ride the city's longest, oldest and highest bargain thrill rides.

A pair of otherworldly photos from Superstorm Sandy will be forever etched in my memory of the historic hurricane. The first photo showed up in much of the mainstream media coverage and became a symbol of the storm: A seemingly intact roller coaster poking out of the Atlantic Ocean off the Jersey Shore like the skeleton of a sea serpent. The second image ricocheted around the Internet via social media sites and became a symbol of vulnerability and resilience following the storm: An undamaged carousel inside an eerily lit enclosure completely surrounded by water that looked like a glowing jewelry box floating off the New York City coast.

Knott's Berry Farm is planning on soaking its patrons next year. Literally. Wild Water Wilderness--a $10-million, 3.5-acre themed area featuring a fast-paced and very wet water rapids ride--will be announced today. The project--the most expensive in Knott's history--will open next Memorial Day in time to compete with new multimillion-dollar attractions at three other major Southern California amusement parks.