We often hear the cliché about "taking things to the next level." But what does that mean exactly? Would we recognize the next level if we saw it? Maybe so. Beginning Monday, April 23, the City of Tacoma would like you to take your homestead to the next level, and by that we mean off the Sanford & Son Junkyard Spitting Image Tour before someone at City Safety has "The big one." The City won't send over colorful fellas from the Bravo network, but it has developed a yard load of awesome free workshops and events to help you improve your home and yard during its Tacoma Neighborhood Makeover Week April 23-28.

And you know how the City rolls; there's a community element to the process. As part of the Safe, Clean and Attractive effort, City employees, Rebuilding Together South Sound and other community organizations will converge on the Giaudrone Safe Streets area in South Tacoma to complete projects involving landscape improvement and debris removal Saturday, April 28 at the tail end of Tacoma Neighborhood Makeover Week. The project is accepting donations of cash, or in-kind donations of tools, plants, materials and other supply needs. To volunteer for a makeover team, go to www.TacomaMakeoverWeek.org or contact the volunteer coordinator at 253.382.2780.  Lunch will be provided to the volunteers.

As we stated the City hosts free workshop for those not residing in the Giaudrone area, and don't want to gamble your neighborhood will be selected next year.

Interior Home Maintenance, Part 1 - Basics of painting, drywall, patch repair, caulking, etc.
Presenter: Dale Trombley, Bates instructor
St.4-6 p.m. Monday, April 23, at Bates Technical College, South Campus, 2201 S. 78^th

Weeds & Weed Control
Presenter: Irene Reed, Master Gardener
Tentatively 6 p.m. Monday, April 23, at a South Tacoma home (confirmed time and location will be given upon registration)

Interior Home Maintenance, Part II - Basics of painting, drywall, patch repair, caulking, etc.
Presenter: Dale Trombley, Bates instructor
4-6 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, at Bates Technical College, South Campus, 2201 S. 78^th St.

Tree Basics: Selection, planting, care and pruning
Presenter: Ramie Pierce, City of Tacoma urban forester
6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, at Fern Hill Library, 765 S. 84^th St.

Exterior Home Maintenance, Part I: Basics of caulking, siding repair, shingle replacement, etc.
Presenter: Dale Trombley, Bates instructor
4-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, Bates Technical College, South Campus, 2201 S. 78^th St.

Natural Yard Care 101: Designing your natural yard care landscape
Presenter: Greg Butler, landscape designer
6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, Moore Library, 3411 S. 56^th St., Tacoma

Edible Landscaping
Presenter: Vicki Farnsworth, Master Gardener
6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, Fire Station #8, community meeting room, 4911 S. Alaska

Exterior Home Maintenance, Part II: Basics of caulking, siding repair, shingle replacement, etc.
Presenter: Dale Trombley, Bates instructor
4-6 p.m. Thursday, April 26, Bates Technical College, South Campus, 2201 S. 78^th St.

Keep Tacoma Safe: Fight Crime at Home  (CPTED Strategies for Making Your Home Safer)
Presenters: Dave Lovrak (LESA) and Thomas Strickland (Tacoma Police Department)
6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 26, Fire Station #8, community meeting room, 4911 S. Alaska

Rain Barrels Workshop
Presenter: Dan Borba, Natural Rain Water
6 p.m. Friday, April 27, at a South Tacoma home (location sent upon registration)

Introduction to Rain Gardens
Presenter: Jessica Knickerbocker, City of Tacoma
6 p.m. Friday, April 27, Fire Station #8, community meeting room, 4911 S. Alaska

25 Ways to Green Your Home
Presenter: Mike Schoonover, Washington Stat Realtors' Association
1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at Fire Station #8, community meeting room, 4911 S. Alaska St.

Space is limited, so registration quickly at classes@tacomamakeoverweek.org or call 253.591.5414. Classes are free and open to everyone.

Neighborhood makeover Week is a collaborative effort involving City employees, Rebuilding Together South Sound, WSU Extension Master Gardeners, The University of Washington Urban Studies Program's CIVITAS group, Communities in Schools, Tacoma 360 and other individuals and organizations.