GOLDSTONE SAYS "GO EAST!"

Never one to sit back and do nothing, 30 Minute Photos, Etc. president Mitch Goldstone, along with Irvine Mayor Pro Tem Chris Mears, is helping to organize a group to travel to New York City. Economic Patriotism in Irvine and Coast to Coast (EPICC) was created to encourage travel to New York City, send the message that it's safe to travel and create renewed commerce. As part of a nationwide effort, representatives from cities across the nation will descend on New York City November 9-11 in an act of economic patriotism. Participants will not only shop and go to Broadway shows, but will also be purchasing theater tickets to distribute to the heroes and volunteers of New York. They will also march in the Veteran's Day Parade, honoring the two month anniversary of the attack.

Reportedly, hotels and restaurants in New York are losing $20 million a week since the attack. A native of New York, Goldstone met his business and life partner Carl Berman in New York. "Although I have lived in Southern California for 11 years, I'm a citizen of New York for life. Hearing about people staying away from New York City after September 11, I knew something had to be done," said Goldstone. "We hope this trip will help New Yorkers recover from this tragedy and stimulate more business in Manhattan, especially before the holiday season."

"I hope that this trip will send a message that New York is still the world's greatest city," said Goldstone. "Our goals are to demonstrate our confidence in the safety of the nation's airlines, create a 100 percent occupancy rate at hotels, theaters, restaurants, stores and cultural events. Our country is at war, but our country is united. Because of the phenomenal response to our initial grass roots campaign, we know our country is eager to show its economic patriotism, making this a truly EPICC endeavor."

Goldstone hopes EPICC will have nationwide reverberations. "We invite the nation to embark with us on this humanitarian mission to prove that flying is safe, that commerce with New York is essential and that our support of New York residents and restaurants, theaters, museums and public transportation is a strong sign of American solidarity," he said. We're challenging the entire nation to go to New York."

EPICC has been endorsed by the City of Irvine, the County of Orange, State Senator Joe Dunn, the Irvine Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Board of Supervisors Chair Cynthia Coad and Rep. Christopher Cox.

For more information, please email us at info@epiccusa.com.