Irvine businessman and others are planning an excursion to aid New York's economy.

IRVINE -- His goal is to persuade 100 county residents to buy full- price airplane tickets to New York City.

And he's challenging cities nationwide to do the same.

The upbeat business owner, Mitch Goldstone, has teamed up with Irvine Mayor ProTem Chris Mears and business and community leaders to launch a campaign called Economic Patriotism in Irvine and Coast to Coast.

The aim of the grass-roots project is twofold. First, in light of the Sept. 11 tragedy, the campaign demonstrates confidence that it is safe to travel. Secondly, it will stimulate the worsening economy before the holiday season.

Goldstone, a New York native who runs 30 Minute Photos Etc., says matter-of-factly. "It can be done."

Since the attacks, hotels are down $7 million a day and restaurants have fallen $20 million daily in New York, said Jonathan Tisch, CEO of Loews Hotels. He was tapped to head New York Rising, a campaign to remedy the economic crises affecting travel and tourism, the city's second largest industry.

The Orange County trip "is so necessary to revive New York City economically and spiritually and prevent further layoffs," Tisch said.

Goldstone hopes participants will fly to New York during the weekend of Veterans Day on Nov. 11. The $1,000- per-person trip includes a round-trip ticket on Continental Airlines, hotel reservations for two nights and tickets to two shows.

They will join similar efforts nationwide in response to New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's call to support the devastated city. Already, more than 800 Oregonians as part of a statewide campaign have opened their hearts - and their pocketbooks - to visit New York in response to the city's tourism crisis.

Visitors will also donate tickets and restaurant certificates to rescue workers, families and others affected by the terrorist attacks.

Locals involved include Ali Shakeri of Irvine, a mortgage banker active in the Iranian-American community.

"I am urging friends in the Iranian-American community to join us. Life's treasures are in people, not things. A little love goes a long way.''

Last fall, Goldstone launched an educational campaign after he learned that controversial rapper Eminem was performing at the MTV Video Music Awards in New York. The outraged businessman donated eight 30-second spots he planned to run during the awards to the Orange County Human Relations Commission and Human Rights Campaign, a gay- and lesbian-rights group in Washington, D.C.

When Kodak went through a billion-dollar restructuring in November 1997, he launched a one-man national campaign urging consumers to buy Kodak film. It generated more than 12,000 e-mails.

"People are waving American flags and that is really wonderful," said Goldstone. "This is something a little different. This is a gift back to New York."