Billboard house: Advertisers long ago learned that many folks are quite willing to promote their stuff on T-shirts and ball-caps. The creative advertising company Brainiacs on Mars decided to take that willingness a giant step forward. The Anaheim, Calif.-based company earlier this year launched an offer to help people pay their mortages and possibly avoid foreclosure by allowing their house to be repainted as an advertizing billboard.

The web-promoted offer apparently struck a vein on homeowners. Within months, Brainiacs was contacted by more than 41,000 homeowners, including 27 in the Wenatchee area, said David Le, spokesman for the company. Homeowners compete for the offer by writing short essays about why they so badly needed mortgage help that they would eagerly convert their home to a billboard for Brainiacs, soda pop or who knows what.

Lee said the company received Wenatchee responses from a woman caring for her father and boyfriend, both disabled; unemployed families and breast cancer survivors.

“I have been out of work for a year and a half so it has been a struggle to make ends meet. This would give us an opportunity to get back on our feet and also help some people out advertising their business. I don’t know how the mortgage party would feel, but hey, life’s a party, let’s get painting,” read one response.

Another Wenatchee entry read: “I have breast cancer. Today is my last of 20 weeks of chemo. I want to celebrate by doing something crazy. So come paint my house and help me celebrate life.”

Brainiacs CEO Romeo Mendoza said he came up with the idea as a way to help people avoid foreclosures. The company is raising money to launch the project through donations made at the social funding site Indiegogo.com/brainiacs and from advertising revenue. It plans to begin painting 3,000 houses nationwide starting in January. People who donate will have the opportunity to vote on applicants in each area, including Wenatchee.

Winning applicants will have their houses at no cost. The company will pay the mortgage on the houses for every month as long as the house is painted with the advertising, up to a year. Afterwards, the houses will be repainted whatever color the owner desires. More information can be found at brainiacsfrommars.com.

Lola’s legacy: The Wenatchee Valley Humane Society and its “Raise the Roof” building campaign is $15,000 richer thanks to the late George Wenzek and his beloved cat Lola. Wenzak, of Wenatchee, died at age 89 July 3. He was well known in the valley for his talent with a bagpipe. He and his band marched in the Apple Blossom Parade for 40 years. He also played at dozens of other festivals and scores of funerals.

His talent and fame among collectors for crafting minature scale guns was the focus of a Wenatchee World story in 2009. The retired state Department of Transportation machinist lived alone with Lola, his cat, and two small dogs. Lola was adopted from the Huan Society in 2009.

Before his death Wenzek asked good friend Gloria Bailey to make the donation in behalf of Lola. “It was such a pleasure to be able donate such a large amount in carrying out his last wishes,” Bailey said.

Dawn Davies, Humane Society executive director, said the donation will help the organization build its new animal shelter. About half of the $3.2 million needed for the job has so far been raised, she said.

Lonesome candidates: When the farming community of Mansfield hosted a political forum a couple of weeks ago, the candidates all showed up. But the public did not.

Just one other person besides the organizer came to hear the candidates for state Legislature, county commissioner and other local offices speak about the issues.

So, rather than hold the forum, the candidates “had a cup of coffee and decided to chat with each other,” said Rep. Cary Condotta, R-East Wenatchee.

Condotta was hoping for a better turnout at a forum in Wenatchee last week. That event drew a total of about 60 people to hear local legislative candidates.

This week’s Worm column was compiled by World staff reporter Rick Steigmeyer. Got a tip? Email newsroom@wenatcheeworld.com