making

Method for making metal body and metal box by using hydroforming

A hydroforming method for metal produces hardware having a throat in only one side and having approximately right-angled corners without causing thinning and breakage. The method includes using a working fluid to exert a liquid pressure on a metal embryo and cooperating with a push rod of a hydroforming mold to supply material from the lower edge, forcing the side sheet metals to bulge. Furthermore, by using the hydroforming mold to provide a downwardly pressing active force on the metal embryo, under feeding of the downwardly pressing active force cooperating with continuous liquid pressure, the metal embryo deforms and bulges such that each corner of the metal embryo and the wall corners of the die cavity of the hydroforming mold have approximately the same angles. Hardware, every angle of which approximates a right angle, can be obtained after removing the hydroforming mold. This method can also be used to obtain a metal box.




making

Composite cord and method of making and support structure and tire containing same

A composite hybrid cord comprising a core comprising of a first bundle of synthetic filaments having a filament tenacity of from 10 to 40 grams per decitex and a plurality of cabled strands helically wound around the core, each cabled strand comprising of a plurality of metal strands helically wound around a center second bundle of synthetic filaments that have a filament tenacity of from 10 to 40 grams per decitex. The ratio of the largest cross sectional dimension of the first bundle of synthetic filaments to the largest cross sectional dimension of the second bundle of synthetic filaments is from 1.5:1 to 20:1. The metallic filaments of the cabled strands have an elongation at break that is no more than 24 percent different from the elongation at break of the synthetic filaments of the first and second bundles.




making

Fire retardant compositions and methods and apparatuses for making the same

An apparatus for producing a textile product generally includes a feeding section for providing a starting material to facilitate producing a textile product derived from the starting material; a drafting section operably coupled to the feeding section for gripping, pulling, stretching and breaking at least one strand of the starting material into at least one continuous and cohesive network of an intermediate product; and a spinning section operably coupled to the drafting section for winding and twisting the at least one continuous and cohesive network of an intermediate product onto a removable receiving member to form the textile product; the feeding section, the drafting section, and the spinning section are configured to form the textile product in a continuous operation.




making

Size-covered composite yarns and method for making same

Composite yarns, comprising one or more elastomeric fibers and hard yarns, are formed by adhering the elastomeric fibers and hard yarns together using a size material. The size-covered composite yarn can be used in weaving and knitting to make stretch fabrics with desired garment characteristics. The size material may be removed by subsequent wet fabric processing.




making

Bucket teeth having a metallurgically bonded coating and methods of making bucket teeth

Bucket teeth having a metallurgically bonded wear-resistant coating and methods for forming the coated bucket teeth are disclosed. The bodies of the bucket teeth have a hard metal alloy slurry disposed on a surface and then are fused to form a metallurgical bond with the iron-based alloy. The wear-resistant coating can be formed of a fused, metal alloy comprising at least 60% iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof. The portion of the outer surface of the bucket teeth having the wear-resistant coating corresponds to a wear surface of the bucket teeth during operation.




making

Method and equipment for adding tobacco dust into papermaking tobacco sheet

This invention discloses a method for adding tobacco dust in production process of the papermaking tobacco sheet and its equipment. The tobacco dust is added in 5-30% weight at four process points such as the pipeline from the slurry stabilization box to the slurry flow box, the long-net of the papermaking machine, the position from the vacuum couch to the first press, and the coating position on the papermaking machine. This invention adopts a method for adding the tobacco dust in production process of papermaking tobacco sheet, which has well improved its physical performances including the filling capacity of the papermaking tobacco sheet and solved smoking problems of the papermaking tobacco sheet, such as worse inherent quality, heavy stemy note, insipid tobacco aroma and etc. In addition, this method has also offered a good way to well utilize tobacco dust resource in sizes of 2 mm-100 mesh, which is abnegated in cigarette production, to save resource and to reduce the cigarette cost.




making

Method and apparatus for making a custom made cigar using resealable packaging unit or pouch having multiple cigar wrappers

A pouch with multiple tear areas is provided. In one embodiment instructions are provided for resealing with heat. In one embodiment a zip-lock type reseal can be used in place of one of the multiple tear areas.




making

Moist tobacco product and method of making

A portioned moist tobacco product with a super-hydrated membrane coating and method of manufacturing is disclosed. The super-hydrated membrane coating is formed by ionic cross-linking using two polymers. The soluble component of the super-hydrated membrane coating dissolves upon placement in the mouth, while the insoluble component maintains the tobacco within the coating for the duration of the use of the product. The moist tobacco product is soft and flexible so as to fit comfortably in an oral cavity when placed therein.




making

Process for making a continuous structure of an encapsulated material

A method for providing an encapsulated flavorant or chemesthetic agent in a smoking article includes forming an emulsion including: (i) a first aqueous solution, comprising one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides; and (ii) a hydrophobic additive comprising one or more flavorants or chemesthetic agents. The method also includes extruding the emulsion into a second aqueous solution in the form of an elongated structure, cross-linking at least a portion of the one or more cross-linkable polysaccharides, removing the cross-linked elongated structure from the second aqueous solution, introducing the cross-linked elongated structure into a filter, or into a rod including a smoking composition, or both; and forming the filter or the rod of the smoking composition into a smoking article. The method can include a drying step.




making

METHOD OF MAKING A BASKET WEAVE HANDBAG

A method for the manufacture of an interwoven wicker, plastic strip basket, handbag or luggage which involves interweaving the wicker or plastic strips to form a body and to form a cover for the body of the basket and then anchoring by means of a tool the protruding ends of the strips of the body and of the cover to channel-shaped rails which rest on removable supports in the body, thus forming the frames of the body and cover.




making

Method of making a decorative article from pine needles

A method of making a basket-like or other decorative article from pine needles comprising the steps of twisting and arranging pine needles, stitching the pine needles with a sewing needle and thread, so as to form a surface or wall, forming a basket-like object, the outer and inner surfaces of which are sealed with a protective coating, such as varnish.




making

Machine and apparatus for making baskets

A support for a basket during weaving is disclosed. The support has a frame made up of a first column and a second column. A basket mold is supported on the first column and a foam rubber pad is rotatably supported on the second column. A hydraulic cylinder has a piston rod attached to the foam pad. The pad holds a basket bottom, having warp and weave members nailed to the basket bottom, to the basket mold. The basket can than be woven, the top handle installed and the completed basket removed from the mold.




making

System for cooling a steering wheel and a method of making

A system includes a fan and a duct system. The fan is configured to be attached to the steering wheel. The duct system has a first portion and a second portion, and is configured to be coupled to an exterior surface of an armature of the steering wheel and enable air from the fan to be communicated from the fan to a surface of the steering wheel. The first portion includes a section extending along the armature of the steering wheel, and the second portion includes a plurality of nozzles extending radially from an outer surface of the first portion toward an outer surface of the steering wheel.




making

METHOD OF MAKING A PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE USING A GAS DIFFUSION ELECTRODE AS A SUBSTRATE

One embodiment includes a method comprising the steps of providing a first dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer, depositing a wet first proton exchange membrane layer over the first catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer to form a first proton exchange membrane layer; providing a second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer; contacting the second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layer with the first proton exchange membrane layer; and hot pressing together the first and second dry catalyst coated gas diffusion media layers with the wet proton exchange membrane layer therebetween.




making

GARNET MATERIALS FOR LI SECONDARY BATTERIES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING GARNET MATERIALS

Set forth herein are garnet material compositions, e.g., lithium-stuffed garnets and lithium-stuffed garnets doped with alumina, which are suitable for use as electrolytes and catholytes in solid state battery applications. Also set forth herein are lithium-stuffed garnet thin films having fine grains therein. Disclosed herein are novel and inventive methods of making and using lithium-stuffed garnets as catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes for all solid state lithium rechargeable batteries. Also disclosed herein are novel electrochemical devices which incorporate these garnet catholytes, electrolytes and/or anolytes. Also set forth herein are methods for preparing novel structures, including dense thin (




making

Carbon nanotube yarn, method and apparatus for making the same

An apparatus for making a carbon nanotube yarn includes a tube and a bobbin. The tube has an opening capable of introducing organic solvent into the tube. The tube further has an inlet and an outlet defined through lateral walls thereof. The inlet is capable of accepting one or more carbon nanotube yarn strings and the outlet is capable of accepting the carbon nanotube yarn. The bobbin is positioned around the tube for collecting the carbon nanotube yarn as it comes out of the outlet.




making

CANDLE ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR MAKING PERSONALIZED CANDLES

A candle assembly for making a personalized scented candle including a candle body comprises a coring device that is configured to remove a core from the candle body, the coring device including (i) a leading edge that selectively extends into the candle body; and (ii) a plurality of measurement markers that measure a depth of the leading edge within the candle body. The coring device can be configured to remove the core from the candle body to form a cavity in the candle body. Additionally, the measurement markers can be utilized to determine a depth of the cavity formed in the candle body by the coring device.




making

Insect repellent compound, material and animal mask, and method for making the same

An insect repellent compound that includes naturally occurring oil that emits an odor which repels insects is described. The compound is not harmful to animals, to humans or to the environment. The compound may be incorporated into materials such as yarn that is woven to form a mesh. The material may be used for making an animal mask, for screen doors and other applications. A method of making the compound and incorporating it into materials and products is described.




making

Vehicle side door structure and method of making and using the same

In an embodiment, a side door for a vehicle can comprise: a structure comprising a plastic inner shell comprising a fiber strip, and a plastic outer shell comprising an outer shell support beam positioned across a width of the outer shell. The outer shell support beam can comprise a fiber strip with ≧50 wt. % fibers oriented at an angle of less than or equal to ±45° to a main axis. In an embodiment, a method for making the side door for a vehicle can comprise: flow molding a fiber-reinforced polymer over a fiber strip to form a plastic inner shell; flow molding a fiber-reinforced polymer over a fiber strip deposited to form a plastic outer shell, wherein the outer shell comprises an outer shell support beam positioned across a width of the outer shell; and joining the inner shell and the outer shell together to form a composite structure.




making

Modifiable slider glass assemblies for utility cabs and vehicles, and/or methods of making the same

Certain example embodiments relate to a sliding window assembly (e.g., of the type found in utility cabs or other vehicles), and methods of making the same. A slidable window panel includes at least one top pin and at least one bottom pin attached thereto. A single fixed window panel includes a hole being defined therein for receiving the slidable panel. Elongated upper and lower rails connected to the fixed panel include upper and lower rail channels defined therein for slidingly receiving the at least one top and bottom pin attached to the slidable panel. Forward and rear end details are provided to each of the upper and lower rails proximate to the hole for slidingly receiving, in respective channels formed therein, the at least one top and bottom pins. The slidable panel is laterally movable when being opened via the respective rail channels provided to the upper and lower rails. The channels in the forward and rear end details are formed so that the slidable panel is movable slightly outwardly towards the hole when the slidable window is being closed and slightly inwardly away from the hole when the slidable window is being opened.




making

MATERIALS CONTAINING METAL OXIDES, PROCESSES FOR MAKING SAME, AND PROCESSES FOR USING SAME

Compositions having a high metal content comprising a metal salt solution, a stabilizer and one or more optional additives, wherein the metal salt solution comprises a metal ion, a counter ion and a solvent. The compositions are useful for forming films on substrates in the manufacture of solid state and integrated circuit devices.




making

System and process for making hydrogen from a hydrocarbon stream

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of pure hydrogen by steam reforming. The process integrates the steam reforming and shift reaction to produce pure hydrogen with minimal production of CO and virtually no CO in the hydrogen stream, provides for CO2 capture for sequestration, employs a steam reforming membrane reactor, and is powered by heat from the convection section of a heater.




making

Impregnated diamond structure, method of making same, and applications for use of an impregnated diamond structure

A layer of matrix powder is deposited within a mold opening. A layer of super-abrasive particles is then deposited over the matrix powder layer. The super-abrasive particles have a non-random distribution, such as being positioned at locations set by a regular and repeating distribution pattern. A layer of matrix powder is then deposited over the super-abrasive particles. The particle and matrix powder layer deposition process steps are repeated to produce a cell having alternating layers of matrix powder and non-randomly distributed super-abrasive particles. The cell is then fused, for example using an infiltration, hot isostatic pressing or sintering process, to produce an impregnated structure. A working surface of the impregnated structure that is oriented non-parallel (and, in particular, perpendicular) to the super-abrasive particle layers is used as an abrading surface for a tool.




making

Shaped abrasive particles and method of making

A method of making shaped abrasive particles including forming an abrasive flake comprising a plurality of precursor shaped abrasive particles and a frangible support joining the precursor shaped abrasive particles together; transporting the abrasive flake through a rotary kiln to sinter the abrasive flake; and breaking the sintered abrasive flake into individual shaped abrasive particles. The method is useful to make small shaped abrasive particles having insufficient mass to be efficiently individually sintered in a rotary kiln without joining two or more of the shaped abrasive particles together.




making

Super-hard construction and method for making same

A method for making a super-hard construction comprising a first structure comprising a first material joined to a second structure comprising a second material, in which the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and Young's moduli of the materials of each material are substantially different from each other. The method includes forming an assembly comprising the first material, the second material and a binder material arranged to be capable of bonding the first and second materials together, the binder material comprising metal; subjecting the assembly to a sufficiently high temperature for the binder material to be in the liquid state and to a first pressure at which the super-hard material is thermodynamically stable; reducing the pressure to a second pressure at which the super-hard material is thermodynamically stable, the temperature being maintained sufficiently high to maintain the binder material in the liquid state; reducing the temperature to solidify the binder material; and reducing the pressure and the temperature to an ambient condition to provide the super-hard construction.




making

HEAT EXCHANGER AND METHOD OF MAKING A HEAT EXCHANGER

The present document discloses a plate type heat exchanger for an oil cooler, comprising at least two heat exchanger members, each enclosing a respective first cavity (C1), at least one inlet port (20, 22), for feeding a medium to the first cavities and at least one output port (21, 23) for extracting the medium from the first cavities (C1); and at least one mounting member (13, 14), which is attached to an outside of an outermost one, as seen in a stacking direction (Z), of the heat exchanger members. A second cavity (C2) is formed between the at least two heat exchanger members. A medium present in the second cavity (C2) is isolated from a medium present in the first cavities (C1). A reinforcement plate (30, 31) is located on an inside of the outermost one of the heat exchanger members, and at least partially overlapping the mounting member (13, 14).




making

Method of making titanium dioxide in the shape of columnar particles

Titanium dioxide which includes particles having a large major-axis length in a large proportion and comprises columnar particles having a satisfactory particle size distribution. A titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are heated/fired in the presence of titanium dioxide nucleus crystals having an aspect ratio of 2 or higher to grow the titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Subsequently, a titanium compound, an alkali metal compound, and an oxyphosphorus compound are further added and heated/fired in the presence of the grown titanium dioxide nucleus crystals. Thus, titanium dioxide is produced which comprises columnar particles having a weight-average major-axis length of 7.0-15.0 μm and in which particles having a major-axis length of 10 μm or longer account for 15 wt. % or more of all the particles.




making

Elasticized structure and method for making an elasticized structure

The present disclosure refers to an elasticized structure and a method for making such an elasticized structure. The elasticized structure, includes a first piece and at least one second piece. The first piece is superimposed and fixed onto the second piece in at least a first fixing zone and at least a second fixing zone. The second piece is at least partially made of an elastic material and has an internal zone comprised between the first fixing zone and the second fixing zone. The elasticized structure is able to assume a tensioned position and a rest position. In the rest position, the first piece has a hump comprised between the first fixing zone and the second fixing zone and flat parts alongside said first fixing zone and said second fixing zone, respectively.




making

TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE ASSEMBLIES, INNER CANNULAE AND METHODS OF MAKING INNER CANNULAE

An inner cannula (20) for a tracheostomy tube assembly includes a thin, inner sheath (22) supported externally by a structural frame (23) having a longitudinal portion (25) and a plurality of ribs (26) extending circumferentially and spaced along the cannula. The inner cannula (20) is inserted within and is removable from an outer tracheostomy tube (1). The inner cannula (20) is made by coating a plastic layer on a core to form the sheath and then placing the sheath on a curved core. The structural frame (23) is then moulded about the sheath (22) in a mould 80.




making

Method of making a current sensor and current sensor

A method of making a current sensor comprises providing a leadframe having a current conductor portion comprising two sections shaped such that a current to be measured flows in directions oriented obliquely or oppositely with respect to each other,deforming the leadframe to lower the current conductor portion,mounting an isolator on the current conductor portion,mounting a semiconductor chip having a thickness of at least 0.2 mm and comprising two magnetic field sensors composed of four Hall sensors and magnetic field concentrators on the isolator,connecting the semiconductor chip and sensor terminal leads by wire bonds,packaging the semiconductor chip and parts of the leadframe in a plastic housing, andcutting a frame of the leadframe from current terminal leads and the sensor terminal leads.




making

Fuel compositions and methods for making same

This invention relates to low sulfur marine/bunker fuel compositions and methods of making same. Contrary to conventional marine/bunker fuel compositions/methods, the inventive lower sulfur compositions/methods focus on use of mostly uncracked components, such as (cat feed) hydrotreated gasoils, and/or can also have reduced contents of residual components.




making

High energy distillate fuel composition and method of making the same

The disclosure describes a high energy density jet fuel composition, having a smoke point about 18 mm as determined by ASTM D1322 and a thermal stability of no more than 25 mm Hg as determined by ASTM D 3241, and a method for making a jet fuel composition, wherein the net heat of combustion is determined by the aromatics content, cycloparaffins content, and normal plus or iso paraffins content in the jet fuel composition.




making

NANOCRYSTALS WITH HIGH EXTINCTION COEFFICIENTS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SUCH NANOCRYSTALS

A population of bright and stable nanocrystals is provided. The nanocrystals include a semiconductor core and a thick semiconductor shell and can exhibit high extinction coefficients, high quantum yields, and limited or no detectable blinking.




making

DISCONTINUOUS-FIBER COMPOSITES AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME

The invention relates to compositions comprising composite materials comprised of discontinuous fibers and one or more polymers and/or oligomers. The invention relates to methods of making the same. The composite materials can be in the form of compositions, composite sheets, laminates, pellets, and/or shaped composite products.




making

METHOD FOR MAKING COMPOSITE STRUCTURE WITH A SURFACING FILM THEREON

A method for making a composite structure with a surfacing film thereon. The surfacing film is co-cured with fiber-reinforced resin composite materials. The surfacing film is formed from a curable resin composition containing an epoxy novolac resin, a tri-functional or tetra-functional epoxy resin, ceramic microspheres, an amine-based curing agent, particulate inorganic fillers; and a toughening component. The surfacing film exhibits high Tg and high cross-linked density after curing, as well as high resistance to paint stripper solutions.




making

COMPOSITE WOOD PARTICULATE PRODUCTS WITH ALDEHYDE-FREE ADHESIVES AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME

The disclosed composite wood particulate products, adhesives contained in such wood particulate products, and methods of making the adhesive and the wood particulate products employ an aldehyde-free adhesive, and more specifically a formaldehyde-free adhesive. The aldehyde-free adhesive includes an inert additive that extends a resin, such as an isocyanate resin, and forms an evenly dispersed, less expensive polymeric adhesive admixture. The extender-filler of the resin is mixed with water to form a slurry. The slurry can then be mixed with a resin, like the isocyanate resin, to form the adhesive. Various rheology modifiers can be added, if desired, to the extender-filler or the slurry. The adhesive can be blended with wood particles to form a mat that is then pressed into a composite wood particulate product.




making

EVAPORATOR ASSEMBLY FOR ICE-MAKING APPARATUS AND METHOD

An evaporator assembly for an ice-making apparatus having a vertical, substantially flat freeze surface, a refrigerant circuit, and a freeze template. The freeze template is thermally coupled between the freeze surface and the refrigerant circuit, and is formed of a plurality of regions arranged in a plane and interconnected by strips having a smaller dimension in the plane than the regions. Interface locations between the freeze template and the freeze surface define where on the freeze surface ice is to be formed. During a freeze cycle, expanded refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, and water is run over the freeze surface. During a harvest cycle, compressed refrigerant is passed through the refrigerant circuit, wherein heat transfers from the refrigerant circuit to the freeze surface until the freeze surface is warmed to a temperature sufficient to allow ice formed on the freeze surface to fall from the freeze surface by a force of gravity.




making

Making HMRC a preferred creditor 'could hit small businesses'

MOVES to put HMRC near the head of the queue for money when businesses become insolvent could damage small businesses and the economy, it is claimed.




making

Sex Ed Is Already Sparse For NC Students — And COVID-19 Is Making It Worse

Can you do condom demonstration over Zoom? What about teaching comprehensive sexual education? In the midst of a pandemic, the answer is unclear. On this segment of Embodied, host Anita Rao talks with Elizabeth Finley about gaps in sex ed brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.




making

Flint MTA goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, ACS Making Strides Kickoff Week

The MTA's brand new breast cancer awareness month bus is now on the road.




making

The making of Stirchley Park

Three workshops will be taking place in Stirchley Park over next month for local people interested in discussing the park's future.





making

Ampify Studio free music-making software for Windows and Mac now available

Ampify is the name behind the iOS apps Launchpad, Blocs Wave and Groovebox, which have together amassed over 15 million downloads. Ampify now brings you its latest music-making software, Ampify Studio, available for free on MacOS and Windows. After announcing Ampify Studio at NAMM 2020 in LA and releasing as public beta software, Ampify Studio […]

The post Ampify Studio free music-making software for Windows and Mac now available appeared first on rekkerd.org.




making

Weekend Inspiration: Top 5 plugins for producing EDM & Beatmaking

Plugin Boutique has published another Top 5 Friday video in which Tim Cant takes a look at some of the best plugins for producing EDM. If you want to get that polished, highly professional EDM sound, you’re going to need to use the right tools, and at Plugin Boutique, you can find some of the […]

The post Weekend Inspiration: Top 5 plugins for producing EDM & Beatmaking appeared first on rekkerd.org.




making

Impact Soundworks Academy: Making Money With Music

Impact Soundworks’ Andrew Aversa has published the second video in the Music Business 101 series of tutorial videos, taking a look at how you can make money with your music. The video is part of the Impact Soundworks Academy, which delivers lessons and tutorials on a wide range of music production, composition, and business topics, […]

The post Impact Soundworks Academy: Making Money With Music appeared first on rekkerd.org.




making

Take Note: Judith Helfand On Her New Documentary, "Cooked," And Making Change Through Her Work

In 1995, one of the deadliest heat waves in the United States killed 739 people in Chicago. Why was the death count so high? And why were the deaths concentrated in poor, mostly African American neighborhoods? In her new documentary "Cooked: Survival by Zip Code," filmmaker Judith Helfand says it wasn't the heat that killed these people, but generations of institutional racism. We talked with the Peabody Award-winning director about "Cooked," which had its TV premiere on Independent Lens on PBS earlier this month, and about her past documentaries, which include "Blue Vinyl" and "A Healthy Baby Girl." TRANSCRIPT: Emily Reddy: Welcome to Take Note on WPSU. I'm Emily Reddy. In 1995, one of the deadliest heat waves in the United States killed 739 people in Chicago. Why was the death count so high? And why were the deaths concentrated in poor, mostly African American neighborhoods? In her new documentary "Cooked: Survival by Zip Code," filmmaker Judith Helfand says it wasn't the heat that




making

Top French fashion brands start making free masks

Dior, which is also owned by LVMH, the world's biggest luxury goods group, has been making masks since the end of last month for hospital staff.




making

Prices of alcohols used in making hand sanitizers capped under Essential Commodities Act

The decision would empower the central government and states/union territories to regulate prices, production, sale, distribution, transport, movement, storage, information of alcohols used in manufacturing hand sanitizers, used as preventive measure to avoid infection from COVID-19, Ministry of Consumer Affairs said in a statement.




making

'Making People Laugh Is What Makes Me Want To Live'

COVID-19 has caused uncertainty in the lives of many. During hard times, in the past, people found relief by attending comedy shows. But what do you do when comedy clubs are closed and the comics are left to find humor for themselves? A few northern Illinois comedians share how they are making it through this pandemic. Rudy Ruiz is a comedian from Aurora. He said he misses the stage. “Now that we’re not allowed into comedy clubs or open mics or even writing groups, it’s like a withdrawal,” he said. He said making people laugh is like a superpower and the pandemic is the enemy. “It’s like kryptonite right now. It’s like we can’t do anything and a lot of us are going crazy,” Ruiz explained. He said he knows some comics have tried to do virtual comedy shows but he doesn’t understand that concept. “We need the audience. You know we have that immediate response like, 'This joke did well,'” he said. He said he can’t capture key things like that without the live interaction. He also said




making

Women's March Rockford Holds Sign Making Party At Womanspace

Women's March Rockford held a sign making party at Womanspace on Saturday. It gave people the opportunity to create signs not just for themselves, but for anyone who shows up to the assembly empty-handed. Mary McNamara Bernsten is an event organizer for the march. She was cutting cardboard with a utility knife so she and others could paint and transform the rectangles into protest sign art. She said last year they had several signs ready to go. "When people got to the march, you could kind of see them looking around and thinking, 'I wish I had something to hold.'" McNamara Bernsten continued, "If you've never done it before, it's not as easy as you think it is to go out and express yourself." She said people responded favorably to the pre-made signs. "A lot of people were happy. They were, 'Oh great! Give me a sign!' They picked one that they related to personally and took off with it." Though there will be a supply of extra signs handy, marchers are encouraged to create their own