Ask Lindsay: Your Desert Questions, Answered

This question comes from my friend Nicole (artist, community leader, and founder of Botanical Verbiage, whom I  spotlighted back in April), and it’s honestly a tough one — I’m something of a professional celebrity spotter and have crossed paths with a number of stars over my decade and a half in the desert. Some memorable encounters include Kirsten Dunst at the Palm Springs airport, Matthew Modine at the now-defunct Peabody’s Café, Scott Bakula shopping on Palm Canyon, Huey Lewis at the JW Marriott Desert Springs, Chris Harrison at a lacrosse tournament, and everyone from Salma Hayek to Bono at the Palm Springs Film Festival. (My pic with the latter even made it into the pages of The Desert Sun!)

But my favorite — though not necessarily most famous — celebrity run-in was with Luke Perry, whom I met at a golf tournament back in 2013. To say I was obsessed with Beverly Hills, 90210 growing up is an understatement, and of all the actors on it, Luke held the biggest piece of my heart. So when I heard he’d be appearing at The Warburton, I was there front and center to meet him.

And he could not have been nicer! When I asked for a photograph, he replied, “Of course, darlin’! That’s why we’re here this weekend!” (I mean, swoon!) After we took the pic, I couldn’t resist telling him he was my childhood crush and he responded by grabbing his heart and kissing me on the cheek. Despite being nearly 40 and married at the time, that kiss had me reverting right back to my 14-year-old self. My heart fluttered, my knees buckled, and I honestly thought I might pass out — so much so that my husband guided me toward a chair and told me to put my head between my legs.

All those years later, Luke still had that effect — and meeting him goes down as one of my favorite desert moments ever, made even more poignant following his untimely passing in 2019.

Yes! Speaking of Nicole, she also has a truly wonderful Little Free Library: La Quinta Cove Haus, located at 53251½ Avenida Velasco (Charter #118549). The charming nook, lovingly handcrafted by her family, is a miniature version of her actual home, with a roof and chimney adorned with more than 400 hand-cut and hand-laid tiles made from terra cotta pots.

In 2021, the Cove Haus was recognized as a Little Free Library of Distinction for its “unique design, creative outreach to friends and neighbors, and the enthusiasm of its stewards and patrons.” Regularly updated and refilled — and often adorned with seasonal décor and sprinkled with fun little surprises (just yesterday, Nicole tucked fresh roses among the stacks for visitors to take home!) — the repository is stocked with an “eclectic” mix of mysteries, children’s stories, spiritual selections, and self-help tomes. It’s an enchanting spot to pick up a new read and drop off a previously loved one.

P.S. If you’re ever looking for Little Free Libraries near you, the organization’s website features an interactive map showcasing locations across the world.

Sadly, I’m diabetic and don’t venture out for date shakes very often, though I have sampled my fair share over the years and do have a definitive favorite: Shields Date Garden’s version of the classic treat, recognized by California’s 56th Assembly District as The Official Date Shake of Riverside County!

Thick and creamy, it’s the addition of Shield’s signature date crystals — which give the drinks an unexpected (and thoroughly delicious) crunch — that sets them apart for me.

Not to mention, visiting Shields is an experience in and of itself! Packed with date-centric delicacies, nostalgic toys, and fun décor, it’s a fabulous place to pick up gifts. While you’re there, don’t miss The Romance and Sex Life of the Date, a quirky film detailing the fruit’s cultivation, shown regularly in the on-site theater.

I was asked this question at my last Leadership Coachella Valley session by a classmate lamenting the lack of age-appropriate clothing options for 30-somethings in the desert — and I felt her pain! That void seemed especially prominent when I first moved to the Valley many moons back. Fortunately, it’s much less of an issue today, thanks to some stellar additions to the local shopping scene.

My favorites include:

Kaylie Nicole (El Paseo) — A highly curated selection of both timeless and trendy staples in classic monochromatic hues, all offered at an unbelievable price point in an absolutely gorgeous setting (pictured). Also expect fun pop-ups on the regular — and literally the kindest owner you’ll ever meet!

Songbird & Sage (El Paseo) — A vibrant mix of colorful resort wear, evening ensembles, and whimsical accessories — all truly unique pieces you won’t find anywhere else. (I’m currently obsessing over this dress!) Owner Tatiana is a true gem, too.

Mimi & Rae (La Quinta) — My go-to for the cutest professional attire. I can’t seem to walk into the Old Town boutique without finding some must-have item, much to my husband’s dismay. The eponymous mother-daughter owners are also absolute delights. (Fun fact: Mimi was the first-ever subject of this newsletter’s Spotlight On series!)

Roam.e (La Quinta) — A delightful blend of boho-chic resort wear and casual ensembles (think prints, flowy dresses and breezy tops), plus some of the best locally sourced, desert-inspired gifts (including Mijo Co. candles, La Quinta sweatshirts, cactus slippers, and palm tree onesies). And owner Cherry is an absolute dear!

Notice a theme here? Great stores, yes — but even greater owners who make shopping in the desert such a joy.

In the spirit of spooky season — and because I’m a total true crime junkie who gets asked about local cases all the time — I had to include this question. And my answer is a doozy!

It all goes back to 1995, when B-movie maker Al Adamson — the mind behind such cinematic fare as Satan’s Sadists, Hell’s Bloody Devils, Five Bloody Graves, and Brain of Blood — met a fate as dark as anything he’d ever filmed when he was bludgeoned to death inside his Indio home by his live-in contractor, Fred Fulford — who, it turned out, had been using Adamson’s credit cards with abandon for his own expenses.

But that’s not the truly bizarre part.

In a twist that could have been ripped straight from one of Adamson’s own low-budget thrillers, following the killing, Fulford tore up the filmmaker’s beloved indoor hot tub, tossed his body in the hole, and covered it over with four tons of concrete before fleeing to Florida — in Adamson’s car.

It didn’t take long for things to unravel. Adamson’s brother soon reported him missing and alerted police to the torn-up tub, which he was certain Al never would have removed himself. When investigators uncovered the body, the story became instant tabloid fodder, inspiring lurid headlines like: “HORROR DIRECTOR SLAIN, ENTOMBED BENEATH HIS TUB!” and “ADAMSON DEATH WAS LIKE SCENE FROM A FILM!” Fulford was promptly tracked down, arrested, and tried. It took a jury less than two hours to convict him of the slaying.

While Adamson’s Indio house no longer stands (it’s now just a dusty vacant lot off Avenue 48 at the southeast end of Croquet Court), I can’t help but think of the slain director — and his bizarre end — whenever I’m in the area.

Want to take a deeper dive? The documentary Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson (streaming on Pluto TV, Tubi, and Amazon Prime) brilliantly covers the case, complete with photos of the director’s former Indio home — including that ill-fated Jacuzzi room.