Today is the day to drop a hankie.

Book By Its Cover Review: Participating in a Beard-Growing Contest in a City Where Other Events Overshadow the Beard-Growing Contest in Question

For men and women with extra testosterone alike, the Beard-a-Reno whisker growing contest is a highlight of the summer.

However, there's another sort of circus in town in Santa Maria right now, a certain high-profile celebrity trial.

It must be somewhat sad to participate in a Beard-a-Reno only to have your whiskers be overshadowed by a dancing pedophile. But on the other hand, perhaps that's one's silent protest, saying "I don't care what else is going on in this town: I am going to grow a competitive beard no matter what."

However, it still must be a little disappointing knowing that all the work you put into your 2005 beard will not be rewarded by the fame and kudos that it's due.

So it's the age-old question: if somebody grows a beard in California and nobody notices, did it actually grow?