We threw out the challenge; you more than responded. In a friendly competition among six district councils, residents adopted a total of nearly 500 storm drains. Como District 10 led the way, with residents adopting 178 drains, or 38 percent of the total. Hamline Midway District 11 was the runner-up, adopting 107 drains. Four other councils -- Highland, Mac-Groveland, Union Park, and St. Anthony Park -- adopted a total of 186.

The competition is over, but the opportunity is still there: Go to www.adopt-a-drain.org and do your part to keep Como Lake, the Mississippi River, and connecting waterways free of debris. That way, everyone is a winner.

Speaking of debris: A big thanks to the 15 Como residents who paddled around the lake Aug. 3 picking up trash from the water and shoreline. Combined, they nabbed 120 pounds of junk -- plus the top of a streetlight. Miss the fun? We'll do it again on Saturday Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-noon. Pencil us in