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 Interbay and Queen Anne P-Patches, 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.

Of all the 5ks,fun-runs and marathons that take place in Seattle every year, there is one that is just a little bit more colorful.

During the 2012 Color Run, participants were hit with a different colored powder for every kilometer of the 5K, leaving everyone, including KOMO photographer Josh Lewis, a multicolor mess.

For even more color, take a look at all of Lewis’ Color Run photos.