Off the Couch

Today

-- Benefit spaghetti dinner to restore C Hill flag, 5-9 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 515 N. Nevada St. Donation $5. Call 882-2177.

-- Great Reno Balloon Race, Rancho San Rafael Park, gates open 5:30 a.m. today, 4:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 826-1181.

-- Virginia City Camel Races in Virginia City, media race 2 p.m., public races 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

-- Killer Tomatoes performs at the Carson Nugget Show Lounge; 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday. Call 882-1626.

-- Comedians Bobby Collins and Gary Gulman perform with emcee Howie Nave at The Improv at Harveys. Tickets $25 per person; call for show times, (800) 427-8397.

-- Photography exhibition by Las Vegas artist Cara Cole at the Nevada Arts Council, 716 N. Carson St., Suite A. Call 687-6680.

-- Carnival at Out of Town Park, Farm District Road at Highway Alt 50 in Fernley, 3 p.m. Call (775) 575-4459.

-- Douglas County Senior Center hosts the sixth annual Northern Nevada Senior Games, various locations in Douglas County. Call 783-6455.

-- Shakespearean sword fights at Piper's Opera House, Virginia City, 1 and 6 p.m. Admission $15 general, $25 VIP seating, $8 students. Call 831-0379.

-- Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks perform at 8 p.m. at Hawkins Amphitheatre, Bartley Ranch Regional Park. Tickets $45, $37.50, $32.50. Call (888) 200-5599.

-- Valhalla Players present "Boys Next Door," 7:30 p.m. at Valhalla Boathouse Theatre, South Lake Tahoe. Call (530) 542-4166.

-- Bullnanza at Lawlor Events Center in Reno, 8 p.m. Two-day bull-riding extravaganza sanctioned by the Professional Bull Riders. Tickets $35, $25 and $15; children 10-younger $5. Call (800) 595-RIDE.

Saturday

-- 10th annual Kids Auction and World's Greatest Barbecue, 3-8:15 p.m., Pony Express Pavilion, Mills Park. Features gourmet ribs, tri-tip beef, chicken and sausage, live auction and a concert by the Drifters. Tickets $75 (open seating), $100 (preferred seating). Call 882-8820, 883-0900 or 885-9000.

-- Ninth annual Carson City Mint and Coin Show, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 600 N. Carson St. Features dealers, appraisals and more. Admission $3 adults, $2.50 seniors and children 17-younger free. Call 687-4810, ext. 222.

-- Telegraph Square Farmers Market and Art Festival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with live music by the Feetwarmers. Call 883-1951.

-- Silent auction benefit for John and Dotty Ridge, noon-4 p.m. at Brewery Arts Center Performance Hall, 511 W. King St. Call 882-6203 or 246-3906.

-- Faster Pastor Charity Challenge race at 7 p.m. Champion Motor Speedway, 1210 Race Track Road, with guest race starter Otis Sistrunk, former Oakland Raider. Plus Western modifieds, limited late models, street stocks, hustlin' hornets and Bandoleros. Call 267-0505.

-- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8071, Virginia City, reorganization meeting at 11 a.m. at the Virginia City Senior Center. All veterans welcome. Call 246-9374.

-- Lionel Richie in concert at 8 p.m. in the City Center Pavilion, 8 p.m., Reno. Tickets $75, $70, $65, $60, $40. Call (888) 288-1833.

-- Motor car rides at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St., noon to 4 p.m. Adults $1, children 6-11, 50 cents, 5-younger free. Call 687-6953.

Sunday

-- Noon tea at the Roberts House, 1207 N. Carson St., features scones, fruit, tea sandwiches and desserts; $15 per person. Limited seating, prepaid reservations required. Call 887-8865.

-- zArtist Fair, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Comma Coffee Courtyard, Carson and Fourth streets, features art fair, wine tasting and more. Call 230-0284.

-- Carson City Raiders Booster Club Open House, noon-4 p.m. at Joe Bob's Hot Springs Roadhouse, 1510 Hot Springs Road. Features former Oakland Raiders Otis Sistrunk as guest chef, live music by Hardrive (classic rock of the '70s and '80s), live auction, barbecue, raffle and more; open to the public. Call 267-1039.