Seattle magazine (where I write a column) has a short profile and interview with Burke Kenny, a 24-year old Olympia native who is World Beard Champion (crowned in 2007). Take a look at his picture and the accompanying interview: He clearly qualifies as a champion mossback as well. I mean, compared to noted Olympic champ and beard wearer Apolo Ono's soul patch, Kenny's deserves the gold..

Moss was once a term for beards, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, and Herman Melville referred to the "moss-bearded Daniel Boone" in Moby Dick. One doesn't need a beard to be a mossback, but Burke Kenny's whiskers clearly mark him as a creature of the region and a facial hair hero. Portland has claimed to be America's "beardiest city,"but I'd like to see a true beard-off between Portland and the rest of Cascadia before I'm convinced.

Kenny will defend his title on May 23rd in Anchorage, Alaska at the World Beard and Moustache Championships (Some of these guys look like they're trying too hard! Dudes, leave the funny hats at home!). But beware, Burke, of governors who support hunting game from planes!