Pelican

Officials found a 59-year-old Huntington Beach man dead Monday afternoon in a vehicle fire, officials said. A witness called the Huntington Beach Fire Department at 2:55 p.m. Monday to the Pelican Cove apartment complex at 16960 Algonquin St. for a vehicle fire, said Martha Werth, spokeswoman for the Fire Department. The fire sprinklers were going when 17 firefighters arrived at the underground parking structure, Werth said. It took about 12 minutes to put out the fire, she said.

Officials found a Huntington Beach man dead Monday afternoon in a vehicle fire, officials said. A witness called the Huntington Beach Fire Department at 2:55 p.m. Monday to the Pelican Cove apartment complex at 16960 Algonquin St. for a vehicle fire, said Martha Werth, department spokeswoman. The fire sprinklers were active when 17 firefighters arrived at the underground parking structure, Werth said. It took about 12 minutes to put out the fire, she said. When the smoke and fire subsided, officials realized there was a body in the vehicle and called in the Huntington Beach Police Department, Werth said.

Growing up, Michael Jennings loved music, but never imagined he’d be singing in front of a crowd unabashedly. “My mom and sister used to sing and dance in front of me, and I used to be so embarrassed! Now I sing in front of everyone; I guess I always had it in my blood,” he said. Jennings, who performs at birthdays, weddings and charity events, climbed up the karaoke stage at the Pelican Isle recently to a mellow crowd of 15 or so regulars. The audience cheered and tapped their feet to Jennings’ rendition of “What Do You Think About That,” by Montgomery Gentry.

Jenny Marder After many history lessons, spelling tests and art classes focused on the wetlands' ecosystem, third-graders at Huntington Seacliff Elementary School can spot a peregrine falcon by sight and spell "endangered species" off the top of their heads. So by the time the children got to the Bolsa Chica mesa, they were practically experts on the wetlands. "I want to see a light-footed clapper rail," one girl declared on the 10-minute walk to the mesa.

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the wounding of an Egyptian goose that was recently brought in for treatment. The goose, affectionately named "Arrowhead" by center volunteers, was found in Tri-City Park in Placentia and brought to the center by Orange County Animal Control authorities on Dec. 29. Someone shot the goose through the neck with a 29-inch arrow. "He was really lucky," said Lisa Birkle, assistant wildlife director.

GAINS Carrozzo takes helm Fountain Valley City Councilman Guy Carrozzo took over as mayor this week, dedicating his term to the nation's veterans. "As I have become older, I realized how important soldiers have been in preserving the nation's freedom," he said. Carrozzo began his third term on the council last year, after serving terms in 1990 and 1995. Student club acceptance Members of the Student Alliance Group at Fountain Valley High School say they have won wide acceptance from students and administrators.

The man whose body was found in a burning car May 31 in Huntington Beach has been identified as Jim Purcey, an author and political activist. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s coroner’s office identified Purcey, 59, as the deceased, although Supervising Deputy Coroner Dan Aikin declined to comment on how the fire occurred. “As far as cause of death, we’re not releasing any details until we come to a final conclusion,” Aikin said.

The Four Seasons Hotel Newport Beach will be known as the Island Hotel Newport Beach after the Irvine Co. takes over management of the luxury establishment. Irvine Co. spokeswoman Jennifer Hieger said the new name will take effect Nov. 1. The Irvine Co. announced plans to assume management of the Newport Center hotel in August. Irvine Co. officials have said that the Newport Beach-based company will also manage the planned Pelican Hill at Newport Coast resort, which is expected to open in 2008.

When it comes to style, South Coast Plaza has it down from fine dining to luxury shopping to world-class beauty boutiques, concepts and salons. The shopping destination is now taking style to a new level as it kicks off South Coast Plaza Style, Friday through Sunday. The shopping center is launching the highly anticipated MAC's Posh Paradise exhibit in Jewel Court as well as holding nonstop beauty events, exclusives and promotions for the entire three days. More than 20 stores will join the festivities, including Aveda, Aveda Richard Michael Salon, Bulgari, Bare Escentuals, Bath & Body Works, Carlton Hair International, Crabtree & Evelyn, Fresh, Jo Malone, Kiehl's Since 1851, MAC, Make Up Forever, Molton Brown, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sasson Salon, Sephora, and Spa Nordstrom Escape.

NATURAL PERSPECTIVES The National Wildlife Refuge System is 100 years old this year. On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established tiny Pelican Island off the East Coast of Florida as the nation's first federal preserve for the protection of birds. A hundred years ago, market hunters slaughtered birds by the millions for meat and plumes. Feathers and even entire birds were used to decorate ladies' hats. The five-acre Pelican Island reserve was established to protect the herons, egrets, spoonbills and pelicans that lived there from becoming unwilling participants in the millinery trade.