Sports utopia in Dallas as American Airlines Center hosts Stars/Mavericks doubleheader

For sports fans, it doesn’t get any better than late October.

Football season is in full swing, the World Series is about to start, the Major League Soccer playoffs continue and basketball and hockey seasons are underway.

How about a two-sport doubleheader on the same day, in the same arena?

American Airlines Center will provide one Saturday, Oct. 29 as the Dallas Stars and Dallas Mavericks play mere hours apart in an NHL/NBA twinbill.

The Stars, who lost to the Calgary Flames in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, will take the ice at 1 p.m. against the New York Rangers.

Then employees will scramble for the next few hours installing the hardwood flooring and converting the entire space into a basketball-ready arena.

The Mavericks, who advanced to the Western Conference Finals last season before losing to the Golden State Warriors in five games, will tip off at 8 p.m. against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Fans can hang out in Victory Park between games visiting shops and restaurants, or venture over to other attractions such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

Worried about driving over to Dallas? You can always catch the train in downtown Fort Worth or at one of the other stops along the way as the Trinity Railway Express runs between both cities. A westbound train will depart Victory Station 20 minutes after the games end so you can safely return to your destination.

Visit trinityrailwayexpress.org/aa-center/ for tickets and other information.

For Stars and Mavericks tickets, go to stars.nhl.com, mavs.com or americanairlinescenter.com.

‘Men Serving God’ holds BBQ event in Arlington

Men Serving God, a nonprofit organization that encourages Christian men to serve God in their family, church and community, holds its second annual “Men, God and BBQ” event 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 25 at Levitt Pavilion in downtown Arlington.

The barbecue event is free, but registration is required for food planning.

Tony Evans, who has served as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for 40 years, will be the keynote speaker. Evans is also a best-selling author and frequent speaker at Bible conferences and seminars across the country.

Texas State Rep. David Cook, also a former mayor of Mansfield, will be the opening speaker.

A number of Arlington organizations will be available to share volunteer opportunities.

To register for the event and for more information about Men Serving God, go to menservinggod.org.

Calling all pie bakers for Sweet Lucy’s contest

With the holidays approaching, are you ready to show off those pie-baking skills?

Just enter the Sweet Lucy’s Pie Baking Contest, Saturday, Oct. 29 at the Clearfork Farmers Market.

Also, young bakers (12 and younger) are invited to enter their scariest treats of any variety. Pies will be rated on taste and look by a panel of local celebrity judges. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.

Bakers must turn in their pies and treats, with name and description, by 9:45 a.m. at the Clearfork Farmers Market. The market, held on Saturday mornings, is located at the Trailhead at the riverfront of the Trinity Trails, 4801 Edwards Ranch Road.

Winners will be announced at 11:30 a.m.