BACK WITH A SPLASH: The Port Hueneme...

BACK WITH A SPLASH: The Port Hueneme Fishing Pier is making a comeback in time for the weekend. . . . Enjoy it while you can though. The city spent $170,000 to repair a portion of the pier that crumpled in last month’s storms, and a gala reopening is set for Friday at 10 a.m. But the pier may close again in a few months to allow workers to replace the east wing of the T-shaped structure that washed away in the deluge. Public demand prompted officials to allow access to the repaired section. “The community’s pretty anxious to have it open,” said maintenance director Tina Esparza.

STOCK SOARS: Amid rumors of a takeover, shares of Amgen Inc., the giant Thousand Oaks-based biotechnology firm, soared Wednesday before easing off in late trading (D1). . . . Rumors that New York-based Bristol-Myers Squibb is looking to buy Amgen fueled frenzied trading on Nasdaq, pushing Amgen shares to a two-year high. Officials from both firms declined to comment.

NEW FACE: The Ojai Center for the Arts has been a cultural beacon for the Ojai Valley since 1939 (Ventura County Life, Page 10). . . . Now, the venerable center faces increased competition from other cities. Supporters say the center’s survival depends on its ability to raise money--and spruce up. . . . Said employee Teri Mettala: “We need to stick our head out and show people we’re here.”

SMOKE-FREE ZONE: The billboard’s potent message will tower over Ventura Avenue: “Smoking is Slavery--Free Yourself Now.” . . . Above the words is a picture of a woman in chains, holding a cigarette. The ad, to be unveiled today, is part of an effort to curb smoking among African Americans, timed to coincide with Black History Month and intended to counter the myriad of cigarette ads found in many minority communities. It’s the creation of Ventura High’s African American Women’s Group, under the direction of artist M.B. Hanrahan. Nationwide, about 1,000 black people die each week from smoking-related diseases.