Three Fremont organizations received a share of more than $500,000 given by the city for neighborhood projects citywide to design a new B.F. Day playground, help get youth involved in Fremont’s future, and – apparently – to show “The Goonies” at Gas Works Park.

The money came from the 2012 Neighborhood Matching Fund Small and Simple Projects Fund, the winners of which were announced by Mayor Mike McGinn Tuesday.

The city gave $534,666 to 34 neighborhood organizations, which in turn pledged resources – money, materials, volunteer hours – worth $760,123. Meaning, for every $1 of taxpayer money, neighbors are investing $1.45.

“These awards recognize the dedication and hard work of community members working together to improve their neighborhood,” McGinn said in a press release. “Whether the projects are for physical improvements or a community celebration, the benefit of this program is the connection and engagement of neighbors and the broader community.”

The number of native bees, such as bumblebees, in the city is plummeting. And, that’s a bad thing, according to University of Washington scientists.

“Native bees do a lot of important pollination work,” Dr. Jeff Riffell said in a press release. “Up to 75 percent of crop species benefit from bee pollination, and much of these benefits stem from native bees.”

To track and research urban bees, the University of Washington Department of Biology started the Urban Pollination Project.

But with the rapid increase in urban gardens in Seattle, UW scientists need some help. Well, P-Patchers to the rescue.

On May 13, scientists handed out specially selected tomato plants to P-Patch gardeners, including those from the Hazel Heights P-Patch at Baker Avenue Northwest and Northwest 42nd Street, and taught them how to collect and submit data.

The Fremont Siphon has been carrying wastewater from northeast Seattle and as far north as Mukilteo underneath the Ship Canal for nearly 100 years. And back in 2010, King County announced it was high time to replace it.

Tonight, Fremont and Queen Anne residents are invited to an open house to learn more about the Fremont Siphon Replacement Project and how it will affect their neighborhoods.

The project, which is in the early design phase, will create a separate crossing just west of the existing siphon stretching roughly from West Ewing Park in Queen Anne to Second Avenue Northwest in Fremont.

The open house takes place at 6 p.m. May 15 at the Fremont Library. Attendees will learn more about the proposed construction area and activities and locations for new structures.