When we're feeling philosophical, the phrase "Life is a circle, we'll meet again" seems to best summarize our outlook. Our quote comes courtesy of Marc Singer in the 1982 sci-fi movie extravaganza Beastmaster, but the sentiment, as you'll find at the Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, is universal. From January 22 through January 29 beginning and ending with ceremonies Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., Tibetan Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery will construct a mandala sand painting, an ancient process involving strategically placed colored grains within circles. The painting will ultimately be dismantled and scattered at White Rock Lake, symbolizing the finite essence of existence. Cyclical and transcendent to be sure, but, unlike the source of our philosophy, their interpretation doesn't involve Tanya Roberts. The Crow Collection is at 2010 Flora St. Tickets run $10 to $25, so call 214-979-6438 for reservations. --Matt Hursh
Getting Schooled
1/22
In school, didn't you always want to say to your teacher, "Hey, why don't you write a seven-page paper on the Elgin Marbles, too? You'll see how fun it really is"? Former schoolteacher-cum-full-time author Blue Balliet stepped up to the plate (of her own volition, it should be noted) and wrote an art mystery like the one she'd assigned to her students. From the exercise came Chasing Vermeer, a book Newsweek called "The Da Vinci Code for tweens." Right on, Teach, not all you guys are sadists! Balliet and illustrator Brett Helquist (the artist for Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events series) are welcomed for a talk, Q&A and interactive activities for the Arts & Letters Live Jr. series at the Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood St., at 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $7 to $10. Call 214-922-1219. --Merritt Martin
Safety First
1/21
Roy Williams, Dallas Cowboys safety, may be the author of an unsigned letter, barely literate and largely homophobic, that was posted in the team's locker room this past December and directed at Dallas Morning News sports columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor for writing negative pieces about the team and, in particular, Williams (which explains the suspicion that he wrote it--which Williams denies). Williams is also a finalist for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year award, given to the player who does well off the field. And Williams does in fact do well there. On Friday at 7 p.m. at the Omni Hotel at Park West, 1590 LBJ Freeway, the Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation hosts its first benefit for single mothers. There will be an auction, live entertainment and special guest appearances. Call 1-888-244-8772 for ticket information. --Paul Kix
