Postcard from the Rose Bowl

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Seeking a fresh start for the New Year (and donations for St. Baldrick's fight against children's cancer), I strolled down Wilshire Boulevard on Saturday morning looking for someone to shave my head.

Wound up in a classy barber shop that was both pure California -- the silver-haired sharpie seated across from me perused a Playboy during his haircut -- and a step back in time.

Bill, my 82-year-old barber, is wrapping up his 61st year cutting heads in this town. Used to handle Charlie Chaplin's hair, among other famous stars.

Ronald Reagan, in his post-presidency years, used to get his hair cut in this joint. The owners never let him pay, but Reagan insisted once and submitted a typewritten check for $38.

The owner, of course, chose to frame it on his wall. You know the part of the check where you and I have our name and address listed? On Reagan's check, it simply read: PERSONAL ACCOUNT.

I paid $50, including tip, to have my head shaved and, inexplicably, shampooed. That's exactly $50 more than Illinois coach Ron Zook has paid since he got out of college.

"No one else has cut my hair for 29 years but my wife," Zook said. "We've been married for 26."

I asked if that's why he married the lovely Denise. He looked at me quizzically for a moment, then laughed.

I think it's a good sign the tightly wound Zook can laugh three days before the big game.

-- Lindsey