They've knocked on doors, dropped pamphlets in the mail and hammered signs into the earth all over town. Fifty-two city council candidates have spent the past two months trying to get our attention, all in the (possibly vain) hope of raising awareness about Wednesday's city-wide vote.

With only three days to go before the big day, here's what's happened so far:

HOTTEST ISSUE BESIDES ROADS AND COPS

The environment. While green ideas usually come to the forefront between elections, all three serious mayoral candidates have painted their campaigns in tones of emerald and chartreuse. Green rooftops, natural lawns and energy-efficient city buildings are coming to Winnipeg, regardless of who wins the mayor's race, and council candidates have been put on notice, too.

MOST IGNORED ISSUE

Harnessing aboriginal growth. Although mayoral candidates Kaj Hasselriis and Marianne Cerilli have paid some lip service to the city's fastest-growing demographic, no council candidate has really embraced the aboriginal community -- or adequately addressed its concerns.

NEW CANDIDATES WHO'VE SHONE BRIGHTLY

Salter, De Groot and Zyla. They were largely unknowns before Labour Day, but they've sparkled since then -- confident and thoughtful Don Salter in Daniel McIntyre, professional and smart Kelly de Groot in St. Charles and hard-working Jennifer Zyla in River Heights.

NASTIEST WARD RACE

River Heights-Fort Garry. Most political junkies predicted St. Boniface would be the race to watch, given the contrast between flamboyant incumbent Franco Magnifico and far-less-chippy challenger Dan Vandal, who used to own the seat. But the polite veneer of upscale River Heights has crumbled away, thanks to incumbent Donald Benham's credit card woes and challenger Brenda Leipsic's endorsement by Benham's nemesis, Mayor Sam Katz.

BIGGEST RIVALRY BETWEEN TWO CHALLENGERS

Cerilli vs. Hasselriis. Mayoral candidates Marianne Cerilli and Kaj Hasselriis both dislike urban sprawl, Sam Katz -- and each other. Instead of ganging up on the incumbent mayor, these two have wasted valuable energy trying to establish themselves as the voice of progressive voters.

MOST OVERUSED PLATITUDE

"The children are our future." Oh, puh-lease -- as if any candidate doesn't like children. This vapid little homily has slithered out of the mouths of candidates across the political spectrum, from River Heights candidate Brenda Leipsic to Marianne Cerilli.

MOST EFFECTIVE LOBBY GROUP

Winnipeg cyclists. The city's pathetic bike-trail infrastructure is an unlikely election issue, but organized and disorganized cyclist groups have managed to pedal their displeasure onto the agenda. Even Katz is paying lip service to more bike trails.

MOST INEFFECTIVE LOBBY GROUP

OlyOpp. Back in April, the fledgling OlyOpp group promised to bring the hammer down on city councillors who voted in favour of the OlyWest hog plant deal. But the group didn't endorse any candidates until October -- and then declined to back up its entire slate with cash.

MOST IMPRESSIVE DISAPPEARING ACT

Katz's honourary campaign co-chairs -- rapper Fresh IE and curler Jennifer Jones: "Yo, yo, yo/We wuz supposed to stump for Katz/Hurry hard, hurry hard/Now we be tough to locates."

PRETTIEST CAMPAIGN SIGN

Re-elect Donald Benham. Employing gold, black and teal with homes and trees in silhouette, the embattled River Heights incumbent makes a great impression. Honourable mention to North Kildonan challenger James Viehweg's diamond-shaped markers.

UGLIEST CAMPAIGN SIGN

Re-elect Mike Pagtakhan. Purple text against a white background makes for a nice bake-sale banner, but doesn't do it for the Point Douglas incumbent.

BIGGEST MYSTERIES

St. Boniface and River Heights. Will it be flamboyant Franco or detached Dan? Can Donald survive a double-Tory pile-on from Brenda and Jennifer? For answers to these questions and more, go to the polls on Oct. 25.