The introductory fare must be purchased online before Nov. 19 for travel through May 31 with some blackout dates. After Nov. 19, the fare will likely increase to $39 to $109.

The newest air service from Palm Springs was announced last week with show biz flare and the motto: "What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas but it will soon start in Palm Springs."

As part of its plan, Allegiant is partnering with area hotels for special deals for travelers coming here. It already has special rate packages with a series of Las Vegas hotels.

Bristol Farms, a wholly owned subsidiary of Albertsons, has been identified as the likely new tenant for the space Albertsons vacated in 2003 when it moved across the street into Rancho Mirage.

Bristol Farms, which is independently managed, describes itself as providing "the finest assortment and highest quality fresh and specialty foods from around the world - in a warm, friendly and uniquely designed atmosphere with service and value that exceeds the expectations of customers."

While no deal has been announced, "it looks like it's 95 percent certain that that store is going to locate there," said Palm Desert Councilman Robert Spiegel.

Spiegel said the filling of the space was a condition for recent city approval of a traffic light on the east end of the mall on Country Club drive. The $250,000 cost of the traffic light will be shared by the city, the shopping center's owner and the developers of residential properties being built across the street.

The center has seen several vacancies since Albertsons' departure. Recent move-outs and closings have included a frozen custard shop, a tobacco store, a Philly-style sandwich restaurant and a Chinese eatery.

Knowing their hopes have been dashed before, some shopkeepers at the center said they would rather not comment until the center's owners officially announces that Bristol Farms in coming.

Within hours of being introduced to his governing board, he was off to appear before the Palm Desert City Council which has filed a notice that it intends to withdraw from the tourism agency in 13 months.

Beckelman asked the council for time to consult and work with them and other member cities to develop a marketing plan that will work for it and for the entire valley.

It is likely to impact consumers who have credit cards or home equity lines of credit with variable rates since most are indexed to the prime rate.

The effect on longer-term rates - for car loans, mortgages and fixed-rate home equity loans - is harder to predict because those loan rates respond more to broad market forces than to the Fed's manipulation of short-term rates.

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