Astoria Characters: The Woman Who Paints by Flowers

Auburn hair waving in the wind like a kite tail, Marina Costas leads Lucky, her red-sweater-wearing white Maltipoo, into her florist shop. Marina is the owner of Paint by Flowers. Lucky, who she rescued from the streets of Greece 13 years ago, heads toward his bed as Marina brings out an elegant bouquet, an ode to rosy roses, red orchids and creamy carnations. It’s spiked with gold-spray-painted monstera spears to match its shiny brass bowl. It may be more coincidental than calculated,…

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Astoria Characters: The Garage Philosopher

René Georg Vasicek, who declares himself a “writer, garage philosopher and cosmic thinker,” is sitting in a supersize leather chair and sipping cold coffee from a ceramic mug. René’s the author of “The Defectors.” While he’s expounding upon the big reality-shattering ideas that zig and zag through his existential dystopian novel, , like an errant self-driving automobile, he experiences a profound Proustian madeleine moment. It’s the first book he’s had published,…

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Astoria Characters: The Calmness Creator

“It’s all about the energy,” says Kim Alexandrescu as she opens the front door to Sacred Space Astoria. Sacred Space Astoria is at 29-05 21st Ave. Come with her into the calmness. Lose yourself in the tranquillity of the snow-white walls, the silky smooth crystals and the velvety purple phalaenopsis. “When you come into Sacred Space, I want you to feel like you’re being held,” she says placidly as she welcomes people to the day’s first yoga class. Sacred Space is new –…

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