Haircuts. There was a time I just didn't get them very often. I've gone between long and short a few times through the years and for the last five or six it's been a short phase. It's difficult not to let it go a bit between visits to the barber shop...mostly because I've had a hard time finding the right barber. Perhaps I'm getting pickier...the older guys do a good cut but it always feels like an older cut. I've had some good cuts from younger barbers but sometimes it ends up looking a little too much like what I'm not.

A few months ago I was getting shaggy (again) and decided to try something close to home. I walked into a busy shop - even on a weekday mid-afternoon the place was jumping.

Upper Cuts Barber Shop has a welcoming, family-friendly vibe. Owner Noe Carranza's boxing collectibles decorate the walls of the big, open room and the personalities of his diverse team are on display at each of their workstations. It's very much the 2014 version of the shop on Mary Street where Dad took me when I was a kid.

I didn't wait long before Noe called me to the chair. He settled into an easy routine and asked the right questions to start a good conversation. Before too long I was inspecting one of the best short cuts I'd had in ages. It grew out real nice too...and I should have gotten back in sooner.

I finally returned to see Noe a couple of weeks ago and got another great cut. I need to get myself back in before it gets past its shelf life (and not let it go for months). Even a great cut won't last forever. Now that I've found Noe and Upper Cuts it's going to be easier to keep on schedule.

UPPER CUTS BARBER SHOP
5348 ARLINGTON AVENUE
(951) 351-2740

- Ralph from Riverside

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