How time flies! I don’t mean to sound like a cliché, but don’t you also find that the days just seem to speed by? The sun rises and the sun sets, the moon waxes and the moon wanes, and before you know it another birthday has come and gone (including mine!). We also mark the passage of time by our rhythmic heartbeat, usually about 60 beats per minute for a healthy adult. Of course, at this time of year, some hearts may beat a bit faster as Valentine’s Day approaches–whether from the anxiety of not having a love interest and feeling left out while all your couple-friends celebrate, or the stress of trying to decide on the perfect way to celebrate. (So, do you give that special someone a golden heart pendant or other expensive token? Or do you splurge on a night out on the town or a weekend getaway?). Or, perhaps you’ve been waiting for this hearts-and-flowers day to finally ask out that person who makes your heart tick too fast only to find that your tender heart is now stuck in your parched throat! Either way, for many people no amount of medication or meditation will slow that racing heart. The only remedy is February 15th when it’s over. And, successful or not, you can at last take a deep breath of relief.

On the other hand, maybe a bit of Greek philosophy will calm those arterial palpitations–you know, take your mind off your worries for a while. Nothing like a little logic to counterbalance all that emotion. So . . . did you know that ancient Greek had four different words for love? These four ancient terms are storge, philia, eros, and agape (though they do not necessarily mean the same in modern Greek). But think of them not simply as words, but also as a way to interpret and understand the feelings we experience every day. Yes, leave it to those Greek philosophers, those deep thinkers, to set us straight on this emotional path and put some perspective on the whole love scene.

The first form of love, storge (STOR-jay) is characterized by fondness through familiarity. Storge means “affection” in both ancient and modern Greek, and it refers primarily to familial love, the bond between parents and children and between siblings, though it can sometimes also include close friends.

Philia (FILL-ee-uh), the next form of love, is the term most often associated with friendship, as it is defined as brotherly love (in fact, “Philadelphia” is called the city of brotherly love). In modern Greek, philia means friendship or affectionate love. Aristotle (384 BCE–322 BCE) defines it as a dispassionate, virtuous love characterized by loyalty to friends and family, as well as to community or even an activity one enjoys. In some cases, this term can also be applied to lovers who are also good friends. (Note that the word philosophy itself means love of wisdom.)

More typically, however, it is eros (AIR-ose) that is associated with lovers, as it describes love of a passionate, sensual nature. Remember your Greek mythology? Eros was the god of love (Cupid in Roman myths), casting arrows into hearts everywhere. But eros need not include a physical component, in which case it describes a deeper expression of love than philia.  Plato (ca. 424 BCE–347 BCE) offered this definition: “Although eros is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself . . . thus suggesting that even that sensually-based love aspires to the non-corporeal, spiritual plane of existence; that is, finding its truth, just like finding any truth, leads to transcendence.” (Wikipedia, “Greek Words for Love”). From Plato’s definition we get the term “platonic,” that is, a love without physical attraction.

This leads us to the fourth and, perhaps, highest form of love. Agape (uh-GAH-pay) is considered selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. It can also be defined as charity, and in many cases, especially since Christian times, it is interpreted as the love of God. (Many of you will recognize this word as the name of the church founded by Michael Bernard Beckwith, who was featured in The Secret—the Agape International Spiritual Center located in Culver City.). Ultimately, whether you believe in a God or not, I think we have to agree with Plato, that this feeling we call love stirs in us not only sensual desires, but also compassion, the desire to do good deeds, to help the needy, to protect our children, in short, to transcend our own ego and aspire to that ineffable something that is greater than ourselves.

VALENTINE’S DAY — Tuesday, February 14
In case the days are rushing by faster than you can keep track, Tuesday, February 14th is next week and, yes, we are taking reservations. We have ninety-minute seatings available throughout the evening beginning at 5pm. Live guitar music will serenade you and your loved one, sweetening the loving atmosphere (be it storge, philia, eros or agape) along with the sumptuous aromas from the kitchen where, besides the regular menu, Chef Giuseppe will be preparing some very special specials for this special night. You can check them out on our website. Reservations for this day are very strongly recommended. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

ARTIST RECEPTION — Sunday, February 12, 1-3pm
On Sunday, February 12, 1-3pm, we invite you to come and enjoy the paintings of Marianne Fisher, our current artist. The reception is free and all are welcome, and light refreshments will be served. Marianne will be on hand to talk to about her art and answer any questions. A price list of prints is available upon request. To see samples of her art, visit our website at www.OrganicCafeCarolina.com.

WHOLE FOODS MARKET TARZANA COOKING DEMO
Last Monday evening our very own Chef Giuseppe presented a cooking demo of his rotolo (stuffed pasta rolls) to a very enthusiastic and very large crowd. Our thanks to Whole Foods and all of you who were able to attend. For those not able to attend, the good news is that we are working on putting together the next class. Stay tuned!

“For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.

For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.

For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.”

– Ivan Panin

Here’s to love, Valentine’s Day and every day!
Isabella
for Cafe Carolina

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Marianne always enjoyed art as a child. As a teenager and young adult she took many art classes, on a variety of mediums. The spirit of art never left her, but she did not discover it as a career path until later in life. Feeling unfulfilled in a career unrelated to art, one day, she decided to pick up a pencil and draw. It became a defining moment for her, as it was the beginning of a change in her life. She realized that art was something in her heart that could no longer be denied. From the simple action of drawing with a pencil came watercolors, pastels and finally, oil paint; the career that was always within her burst forth. Marianne is constantly creating her own body of work. When she thinks of showing her works she’s reminded of a dream she’s had several times. “I am standing completely naked in a room full of clothed people. It’s a feeling of awkwardness and uncertainty not unlike exposing my art to the public.” Marianne worships color and movement. This is reflected in her paintings. From musicians and dancers, to florals and portraits, her subjects pulsate with vivid color. Whether she’s painting on canvas, ceramics, furniture, children’s faces or patrons’ murals, she brings a freshness and love of life to all. “I never know what I’ll paint next because I see potential paintings everywhere. I feel a deep passion for painting and creating that I wanted to share. I was encouraged to start teaching privately and discovered I really enjoyed it. My hope with students is to expose them to art and also to build self-confidence in their work. I started instructing adults/teens in oil painting nine years ago. I also teach general art to children. Sharing my love of art and creating has been a great source of happiness in my life!” For more information about Marianne and her art work check out Mariannezart.com info@mariannezart.com (805) 583 – 8626

BIO
Maureen Cox was born in Los Angeles . She found art traveling the backroads of her path as a Textile Designer. She entered the world of textiles after receiving a Certificate in Textile Surface Design from Otis Parsons. At the beginning of her textile career she decided that she wanted to understand everything about textiles from the design process to printing so she continued her schooling at El Camino College in the art departmet starting with screen printing which motivated her to continue learning more art processes. She studied block printing and etching and then branched out into more textile arts such as dyeing, discharge, stitching, felting, these studies added more versatility and interest to her work as a freelance Textile Designer. Recently she has been concentrating on doing her own work utizilizing a myriad of the techniques she picked up on her journey into her creative expression. Maureen is excited and inspired by life as she continues experimenting, learning and making art.

ARTIST STATEMENT
I am a fiber artist living and working in Woodland Hills ,California. I am engaged in explorations thru fiber. I am interested in testing the mixing of different fibers, how they react to each other and how they differ in the way they accept color and form. I have introduced recycling and more mixed media into my fiber pieces. Using the polarity of hard objects in contrast with soft fiber has allowed me to expand my parameters. I also use rusty metal as printing plates on fiber. Using this metal thru the oxidizing process and following its breakdown into dust and small particles has helped me to connect more with the natural world around me. I continue the breakdown in the fiber by deconstructing the edges making them raw. By breaking the metal down I feel like an alchemist transmuting a disintegrating substance, reintegrating it into the earth and creating a work of beauty in the process. This year I became involved in a form of domestic graffiti with my first steps into Yarnomancy, or in other circles what is called Yarn Bombing, using yarn and fiber as graffiti to addorn trees etc. I have included examples of this outdoor art in my exhibit here. During this journey into conscious creation the integration of working with nature and adding more recycled materials both as tools and as an integral part of my art has expanded me as a person and artist. I trust and am moved by the unseen forces of energy and connection running thru all of us. My art is part of my meditation, a process of creating as I feel.

Well, it has been just over one month since our reopening. During this time, it has been our sincere joy to welcome back so many friendly faces. We knew you liked us before (the renovation) because you kept coming back, but this time so many of you have come bearing what I would call “housewarming gifts”—flowers, plants, bottles of wine, cards, and many, many hugs and well wishes. We are so blessed to have such a wonderful, supportive and friendly/ warm clientele—though really it often feels more like extended family. So, to all of you who were patient during our down time, who dropped by during construction to offer moral support, who shower us with goodwill—thank you and welcome back!!

At this point I would like to take a moment to thank our new partners, who have made our expansion possible, and who provide much help in the running of the restaurant. Some of you have met them…Tom Huang is our host most nights, and occasionally a server. He’s a computer programmer by profession and is quickly learning that running a restaurant isn’t just about the food! Brad Thornton, although he can be found at the restaurant on many nights, doesn’t actually work for the Café but for the non-profit Shane’s Inspiration. The mission of the organization is to create inclusive playgrounds and programs that unite children of all abilities. There are 20 playgrounds around Los Angeles so you may have been to one already. Brad’s limitless enthusiasm makes one and all feel like old friends. Please welcome them to the family!

In other news, our servers have not been idle! Indeed, we have some talented people on our team—

Luka, who has been with us for some six and a half years, recently got married. She and Billy Minogue were married at the end of September in Hawaii, where Luka grew up—with all our hearts, congratulations to you both! Starting October 27 (that’s tonight!), you can see her as Dee Dee in Harbor, a new play by Jon Cellini, at the Victory Theatre in Burbank. The show runs Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8pm and ends December 3. www.thevictorytheatre.org.

On October 29 and 30, Shelby will also be on stage, not acting, but playing clarinet at the Madrid Theatre in Canoga Park as the Center Stage Opera presents Operatic Masterpieces, a concert featuring greatest hits from some of opera’s most beloved composers. If you’ve celebrated a birthday at the Café, you know Shelby as the gal who’s been playing the accordion for the past five years. www.centerstageopera.org

Meanwhile, our other musical server, Auni, has flown to Paris to promote her album. She is a multi-talented singer- songwriter-musician and has been working doggedly to complete an album of original tunes. With the help of friends in France, she hopes to find a following across the pond. Good luck!

With Auni gone, we’ve hired Peter—another actor, of course, and with plenty of credits to his name. He’s a photographer and visual artist as well, and has a background in Healing Arts. Though he’s been on staff for about a month, things seem to be going very well. We know you’ll make him feel right at home. Overall, we’ve been very fortunate with the people who join our staff, just as we have been with our patrons.

BIG NEWS: WE HAVE PIZZA. AND WINE. AND BEER.
Yes, when we opened, our pizza oven wasn’t working properly, to the chagrin of many. But now the pizzas are flying out fast and furious. And frankly, I have to agree with our customers—they’re fabulous (yeah, I know, there’s even one named after me. Is it my favorite? If you added fresh tomatoes and red onion, you bethca!). A round of applause to Chef Giuseppe and our pizzaiolo Thomas himself (on different nights). If you haven’t had a chance to try one, come on down. And if you come on a Tuesday night, there’s no corkage. Yup, Tuesdays are corkage free nights. But if you don’t have your own bottle, no worries—we’ve got a terrific wine list. We’ve taken great pains to put together a solid, eclectic selection of well-priced wines from Italy and California. For beer drinkers, the list isn’t long, but we think you’ll be impressed with the variety.

THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON:
Cooking class in November and Holiday Dinner Event in December.

One final note: As the holidays approach, some of you may be considering having office parties or family gatherings. Café Carolina is available for catering and private parties. Please call us for details. Chef Giuseppe can make your culinary dreams come true. And be sure to check out our new website www.OrganicCafeCarolina.com.

Happy Halloween to you!
Isabella,
for Café Carolina

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