Cannery to take part in Operation Gratitude...

Cannery to take part in Operation Gratitude

The Cannery restaurant in Newport Beach will donate 10% of its

sales from Tuesday’s “wine night” to Operation Gratitude, which pays

for care packages that are sent to American troops overseas. The

packages include food, toiletries, entertainment items and personal

letters of appreciation.

The nonprofit Operation Gratitude has partnered with the

California Army National Guard base in Van Nuys, where the packages

are assembled. For wine nights, the Cannery offers selected wines and

champagnes at just a dollar more than their cost to the restaurant.

For information, call (949) 566-0060.

Dealership’s outside-O.C. sales on the recent rise

Fletcher Jones Motorcars in Newport Beach reported an increase in

sales from buyers outside Orange County in recent months.

During March, more than 33% of the dealership’s auto sales were to

people living in Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and

San Diego counties. This was an increase of 27% compared with the

same month in 2003. Fletcher Jones is the top seller of Mercedes-Benz

vehicles in the U.S., with annual sales of more than $500 million.

Food and wine festival

to be held at the plaza

South Coast Plaza will host the annual summer food and wine

festival from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the mall’s Crate and Barrel

store. The event will include food from 22 restaurants, beverages

from about 50 wineries and breweries, live music and prize drawings.

Proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank and Someone Cares Soup

Kitchen. Tickets are $45 if purchased by today or $55 at the door.

For information, call (714) 435-2171. South Coast Plaza is at 3333

Bristol St., Costa Mesa.