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Jackson Heights couple creating canned cocktails

With over four decades of combined experience in bartending and hospitality, Tara Merdjanoff and Jeremy Bohen are serving up classic cocktails in a can.
The co-founders of QNSY (pronounced “Queen-sey”) Sparkling Cocktails decided to launch a craft beverage company after both lost their jobs during the pandemic.
The husband-and-wife team from Jackson Heights have spent the last four years conceptualizing and perfecting their craft cocktails, which come in 12-ounce slim cans and sixtel kegs.
“When the world shut down, instead of having to find the extra hours to work on it, we had time everyday,” said Bohen. “Frankly, it was good for our mental health to stay positive and have goals.”
The craft cocktails are available in three flavors: Mojito, Cosmo, and Lovely Rita (their version of a margarita). They are 5 percent alcohol by volume.
Bohen and Merdjanoff said they focused on creating high-quality cocktails that, when ordered at a bar, slow down service for even experienced bartenders.
“Busy bars and restaurants run on systems, and some kitchens don’t stock mint,” said Merdjanoff, referring to the classic Mojito ingredient. “Good bartenders can manage that and make it look easy.”
While developing and perfecting the flavors used for QNSY, the pair opted to use real fruit juice and pure cane sugar as the neutral alcohol base for their products.
The drinks are also regulated as beer rather than a distilled spirit, which allows QNSY to potentially be sold at over 19,000 New York-based businesses.
“We wouldn’t have introduced the product if it wasn’t as good as bar quality,” said Bohen.
The pair also credited the Queens Economic Development Corporation (QDEC) for helping them prepare a business plan.
QNSY was one of over 40 local vendors to be featured at QDEC’s recent “Queens Comes Back!” event, where drew over 1000 people.
“QDEC has been by our side the whole way,” said Merdjanoff. “Without their resources, we would not have been able to accomplish this.”
The business is represented by Bronx-based Sarene Craft Beer Distributors. QNSY Sparkling Cocktails are available at over three-dozen Queens locations and select bars in Brooklyn.
“It’s not easy to stand out in a sea of new canned alcohol offerings, but they’ve nailed it by being among the best tasting and highest quality canned cocktails available,” said Matt Schulman, founder and co-owner of Sarene Craft Beer Distributors. “We believe consumers will be just as excited to try these as we were when we first got our hands on them. We’re sure they will not be disappointed.”

Beautifying Briarwood: collaboration targets trash, graffiti

A series of cleanup initiatives will aim to rid Briarwood of unsightly litter and graffiti.
Councilman James Gennaro announced that new partnerships with the Department of Sanitation (DSNY), Wildcat Service Corporation and The Doe Fund will spearhead the effort.
“I am confident that these partnerships will make a visible difference in our communities and be greatly appreciated by people who love clean streets,” said Gennaro, speaking from the median on Queens Boulevard in Briarwood. “I am committed to making this district the cleanest it has ever been. “
Funding secured for the cleanup initiative includes $185,000 for Wildcat, $150,000 to The Doe Fund and $95,000 for the DSNY, totaling $430,000 in this year’s budget.
The money for DSNY will be used for additional cleaning services from 164th Street to 188th Street along Union Turnpike. Two additional service days will be added for trash pick-up, and the median along Union Turnpike will be maintained as well.
“There are so many tools in creating a clean city,” said DSNY Commissioner Edward Grayson. “This influx of support and leadership in keeping Queens clean is so critical to how we achieve this mission.”
Grayson said residents of Queens try to keep their neighborhoods clean, but the choices of a “few bad actors” are the biggest culprit.
“It takes the village to clean the village,” he said..
Wildcat Service Corporation, a Bronx-based social services organization, will provide snow removal for elderly and disabled residents in the district.
The company will also provide sanitation services to Hillside avenue from Sutphin Boulevard to 173rd Street three times a week. Areas on the Grand Central Parkway Service Road between 188th Street and Utopia Parkway will also be cleaned once every two weeks.
Workers from The Doe Fund will be cleaning the Main Street business corridor and areas of Queens Boulevard twice a week.
“With the effort of Wildcat and The Doe Fund and the sanitation department, we expect to see things looking much better,” said Community Board 8 chair Martha Taylor. “We are delighted to know that our streets will be much cleaner.”

104th Precinct Police Blotter (10/4/2021-10/10/2021)

Monday, Oct. 4
Oscar Lares-Tucubal was arrested at 71-24 69th Street for strangulation by Officer Russi.

Tuesday, Oct. 5
Jessica Signorello was arrested at 1643 Hancock Street for criminal contempt by Officer Celmente.
Charles P. DeFiore was arrested at 63-25 Dry Harbor Road for leaving the scene of an accident by Officer Oswald.
Danny Duran was arrested at 57-37 Myrtle Avenue for grand larceny by Detective Palminteri.
Gabrielle Rivera was arrested at 749 Wyckoff Avenue for grand larceny by Officer Fitzalbert.

Wednesday, Oct. 6
Damian Navas was arrested at 59-81 58th Avenue for criminal obstruction of breathing by Detective Lodato.
Christian Martinez was arrested at Bleecker Street and Fresh Pond Road for robbery by Officer Alban.
Moise Damy was arrested at 582 Onderdonk Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Detective Scrimeti.
Freddy Chavez was arrested at 1934 Putnam Avenue for misdemeanor assault by Officer Wong.

Thursday, Oct. 7
David E. Colon was arrested at 88th Street and Aubrey Avenue for possession of a forged instrument by Officer Troia.
Jesica Soto was arrested at 70-19 60th Lane for misdemeanor assault by Officer Daddario.

Friday, Oct. 8
Jessica Guida was arrested at 88-52 Doran Avenue for criminal contempt by Detective Scrimenti.
Marleny Martinez was arrested at 72-07 73rd Street for felony assault by Officer Kardonov.
Michael Almanzar was arrested at 72-07 73rd Street for misdemeanor assault by Officer Kardonov.
Jordy Grullon Gomez was arrested at Fresh Pond Road and Bleecker Street for misdemeanor assault by Officer Simone.
Eric Harding was arrested at 1049 Irving Avenue for felony assault by Officer Valybrooks.
Efrain Bonilla was arrested at 1645 Putnam Avenue for burglary by Officer Valdemar.

Saturday, Oct. 9
Luis Hurtado was arrested at 603 Seneca Avenue for criminal mischief by Officer Mark.
Manuel Cuji Peralta was arrested at 64-18 Fresh Pond Road for obstruction of governmental administration by Officer Pineda.
Marjo Budlla was arrested at 60-41 74th Street for third-degree assault by Detective Rochford.
Alberto E. Herrera was arrested at 60-74 56th Street for criminal obstruction of breathing by Officer Libreros.
Angela Rosa was arrested at 60-74 56th Street for third-degree assault by Officer Libreros.

Sunday, Oct. 10
Jonathan Perez-Reyes was arrested at 358 Onderdonk Avenue for criminal contempt by Officer Christodoulou.
John Schnitzler was arrested at 60-16 Myrtle Avenue for petit larceny by Officer Denis.

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