We’re getting into the home stretch here, people. With less than 24 hours to go, we are still leading in KNPR-FM 89.5’s online auction! The bid to have lunch with us at Various Things & Stuff — along with our colleague Jon Ralston — is $550! That’s well ahead of other media celebrities, including our delightful colleague, George "The Knappster" Knapp! His bid is a mere $390.

This front-runner status is all the more impressive, given that our colleague Norm Clarke of Review-Journal fame has tried to bribe auction bidders with valuable prizes, like copies of his book and a free Norm! bobblehead! Yet still, the public has spoken with cold, hard cash, and said this:

Of all the celebrities in the auction, including Clarke, Knappster, freelancer Steve Friess, R-J "Online Guy" Al Gibes and even foodie John Curtas, we (and Ralston) are the most popular lunch companions of all time! Yes! The people have spoken!

Sure, there are haters out there who say it takes two of us to go up against one Knappster. Well, of course it does! He’s on TV! That means he’s automatically more credible than somebody who types things in a blog! Plus, he’s got access to sophisticated alien mind-control technology. How else can you explain a bid of $390 U.S. dollars? Yes, we know the dollar is worthless compared to other world currency, like the Euro, the Canadian dollar or, say, the peso. But still!

But now is not the time for complacency! The auction doesn’t end until Saturday, which means there’s still a chance that supporters of one of our rivals may try to outbid us at the last second! That’s why you’ve got to remain alert, and keep monitoring the KNPR auction website until the bidding closes! Don’t let somebody else beat the mighty duo of us and Ralston! Keep us on top!

Don’t forget, the money goes to a great cause: All the wonderful programming you listen to every day on KNPR. That’s news. All Things Considered. Fresh Air. And our very own State of Nevada, an award-winning, locally produced public affairs program.

But the most important thing, of course, is keeping us in the lead! The end is in sight, people! Push on until tomorrow! The link above takes you right to the website, so victory is just a click away!