Support the Troops

Mighty McBees lead charge on new Dallas film fest with worthy cause

Dallas has a new film festival on the books, and if the event chairs are any indication of its potential success, then we think this is the beginning of a beautiful tradition honoring an important organization.

The inaugural Stars & Stripes Film Festival is set for November 6-9 at Angelika Film Center. Leading the charge is philanthropic power couple Lynn and Allan McBee. The festival’s beneficiary is Sons of the Flag, an organization committed to supporting military, first responder and civilian burn survivors.

At an announcement party at Highland Park Village Theatre Wednesday night, the McBees, honorary chairs Louise and Guy Griffeth, and Sons of the Flag founder Ryan “Birdman” Parrott shared that the festival is an exciting opportunity to watch movies about the United States Armed Forces and hear real accounts from Medal of Honor veterans who fought in the battles.

“My husband, Allan, and I are thrilled to be chairing the inaugural Stars & Stripes Film Festival, honoring veterans as well as active duty service men and women,” Lynn said. “This film festival is the first of its kind for North Texas and will include four days of iconic films and documentaries celebrating our nation’s finest.”

The Dallas Film Society is handling logistics and programming. Films include Act of Valor, Saving Private Ryan, Top Gun, Platoon, Stripes, Black Hawk Down, Missing in Action, Tora! Tora! Tora! and many more, for a total of 14.

An opening night reception and screening of Act of Valor kicks things off November 6; question-and-answer sessions take place following each screening. All proceeds from the Stars & Stripes Film Festival benefit Sons of the Flag, and all screenings are free to veterans.

Sons of the Flag provides funding for innovative research, fellowships for doctors to further their training in treating burn survivors, and support for those impacted by a traumatic burn. Event information, including sponsorship, can be found on the Sons of the Flag website.

“There are 700,000 people today who get burned each year, of which only 40,000 will receive life-long treatment, and there are only 200 to 300 burn surgeons in this country to properly treat [them],” Parrott added. “We have to do better. A lot better. And that’s why we formed Sons of the Flag.”

Lynn and Allan McBee are chairs of the first Stars & Stripes Film Festival benefiting Sons of the Flag.

Photo by Sylvia Elzafon

Lynn and Allan McBee are chairs of the first Stars & Stripes Film Festival benefiting Sons of the Flag.

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Pizza News

Chuck E. Cheese unveils new Adventure World concept in Arlington

Cchuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World

A national pizza chain based in Dallas is debuting a new concept here in DFW: Called Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World, it's an entertainment destination for families with young kids from Chuck E. Cheese, the pizza buffet chain, and it will open its very first location in Arlington, at 1536 W. I-20 off South Cooper Street.

According to a release, it will open on Thursday, November 13.

Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World will be a 12,000-square-foot indoor playground focused entirely on active play. It's designed for kids from 3 to 8 years old, who can climb, slide, and explore multilevel worlds, with references to stock Chuck E. Cheese characters.

Famous for hosting birthday parties and other kid-centric celebrations, Chuck E. Cheese began expanding more seriously into this realm in 2024 by adding Adventure Zones within existing locations featuring trampolines, obstacle courses, and playgrounds.

Unlike those traditional Chuck E. Cheese entertainment centers — which focus on arcade games, pizza, and prizes — Adventure World is about active play and imagination. Parents can join their kids as they explore a three-story play structure, toddler zone, and dance floor — experiences built on physical activity and storytelling.

Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World features include:

· Immersive themes including space, safari, and pirate voyage
· Climbing structures, slides, tubes, mini soccer court, and obstacles
· Kid Check system to ensure kids stay safe and everyone who arrives together leaves together
· Birthday party packages, with special appearances from Chuck E. Cheese
· Interactive dance floor that lights up with every step
· Dynamic video walls and a digital live show featuring Chuck E. and friends
· Pasqually’s Snack Shop serving Chuck E. Cheese pizza, light treats, and drinks
· No height restrictions, so parents can join in the fun

Pricing is designed for families, at $19.99 per child for all-day access, including two free parent admissions per child, making it an affordable and easy day of fun. For a limited time, guests can enjoy a $2 discount per child Monday-Thursday. Birthday parties start at $100 for six kids.

Chuck E. Cheese and CEC Entertainment CEO David McKillips says in a statement that they're excited to open the very first Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World in Arlington, calling it "a colossal new experience unlike anything kids have ever seen."

Chuck E. Cheese Adventure World is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand the brand universe. Several new Adventure World locations are scheduled to open in 2026, bringing the experience to more families nationwide.

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