Bidding ends Tues., May 12, noon. Current highest bid: $25 (J. Olson). Proceeds to the Bruin Nature Conservancy, favorite charity of sign author Pancho Villa. “Is Pancho’s favorite charity himself?” a cynical sort suggested. For what it’s worth, “The Bruin Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization whose primary objective is to preserve nature and restore and sustain a permanent wildlife habitat . . . ” It is listed here as a non-profit organization in the Portland area.

In last week’s newspaper, we saw the notorious public writer Craig “Pancho Villa” Heiller whitewashing over one of his more offensive home-made signs (a screed against a former North Coast News editor). But what would he come up with next? “I hope it’s not even worse,” one reader emailed me. Well, last week the outlandish purveyor of J. Wales Trading Post in Copalis Beach really shocked his neighbors and SR 109 passers-by: he decided to paint a sign plugging a friendly local business.

But wait, there’s more . . .(see next post)

. . . Though it is by far his favorite, Pancho even agreed to auction off a particularly outre attack on his archenemy, Al Carter. The highest bidder (proceeds going to Pancho’s favorite charity) can either have the “Al Carter smokes etc.” sign, or Mr. Villa will repaint it with whatever the winner likes, and display it for 90 days. 

Pancho did have a pretty good sized concern, last week. “Just don’t make me out to be a nice guy,” he said, before unloosing a screeching laugh, and washing that down with a swig of beer. (It was Happy Hour . . . somewhere.)

I’ll start the bidding, at $10. If anyone can top that, post your bid, below. Or, if you’d like to keep your bid confidential, email: tscanlon@northcoastnews.com.

Freedom of speech will continue in Copalis Beach, but Pancho Villa, as a personal favor to one of his amigos, has painted over what was probably the most offensive one. What will the Hunter S. Thompson of the North Beach come up with next? Check back manana.

The Copalis Beach businessman and free speech exerciser known as “Pancho Villa,” primering over one of his more offensive signs. What will he come up with to replace it? Stay tuned . . .