According to an April 2024 Gallup poll, 54% of Americans identify as part of the middle class, with 39% identifying as "middle class" and 15% identifying as "upper-middle class." That percentage has held fairly steady for years, but for many, what it feels like to be a middle class American has shifted. Notably, inflation caused by the pandemic has hit middle class families hard, with incomes not keeping up with cost-of-living increases. Housing costs have skyrocketed in many areas of the country, mortgage interest rates have risen to levels not seen since the pre-Obama era and grocery bills have increased significantly. One government study found that cost of living has increased between around $800 and $1,300 a month depending on the state since 2021, putting a squeeze on everyone, including the middle class.One woman shared that her family is just getting by and asked other people who identify as middle class to "chime in" with what they have in their savings account. "I swear, every paycheck I am putting money into my savings, but needing to transfer it back within a few days," shared @abbyy..rosee on TikTok. "My registration is due. My husband's registration is due. He needed two new tires, even though they had a warranty. That's $300. My oldest needs braces, he needs a palate expander, that's $120 a month. Not to mention groceries are $200 more a week. Forget about feeding your family great ingredients because who has $500 a week to spend on perfect ingredients to feed your family?" @abbyy..rosee somethings gotta give #savings #middleclass #relatable She explained that her husband makes enough money that they should be able to live comfortably, and that she quit her job because the cost of daycare was more than she was making."At some point, something has to give," she said. "What is going on? How do I save money?" People in the comments chimed in with their savings account totals and it was quite eye-opening. Many people shared that they have $0 saved. "We make the most money we ever have and have zero savings. We live paycheck to paycheck and every month I don’t know how we get by.""I think the middle class is 1 personal disaster away from bankruptcy.""Y’all got savings accounts?!?! ?""I used to freak out if I had under $10k in savings, now I’m happy when I have over $150. ?""We make almost 100,000 a year with no savings!!!! It's always something!!""I'm lucky if we have $500-$1K for an emergency. every single time we start saving something happens. the vet, the cars, the kids... something.""Savings account? I transfer money each paycheck but always end up needing to transfer it back. My husband makes great money too but we are scraping by.""$803 but we have to pay a $750 deductible this week b/c my Husband hit a deer soooo… back at it ? It’s exhausting. Constantly draining it, refilling it, transferring."Some people shared that they do have some savings, but several said it was because they'd had an inheritance or other chunk of money come their way. Many people shared that their savings has dwindled as increased costs have taken their toll. Some people gave lifestyle advice to save money, but most agreed that just the basics have gotten so expensive it's harder to make ends meet much less put extra into savings.Thankfully, the inflation issue appears to be waning, but even just plateauing at their current financial reality isn't ideal for many American families. Middle class is supposed to be a comfortable place to be—not rich, but well enough off to feel secure. That's not how many middle class folks feel, though. Most Americans don't have anything close to the amount of money saved that is recommended across the age spectrum, but at least hearing that others are in the same boat is somewhat comforting. It can be vulnerable to put your financial reality out there, but it's helpful to hear what other people are doing and dealing with so we all feel less alone when we're struggling. Perhaps if people were more open about money, we'd all be able to help one another find ways to improve our financial situations rather than lamenting our empty savings accounts and wondering how to change it.This article originally appeared on 7.17.24

Domestic violence survivors are cheering on the winner of the Miss Kansas competition after she stood on stage and called out her abuser who showed up to the pageant. Before Alexis Smith was chosen from 26 participants in the state competition on June 8, 2024 to represent Kansas in the 2025 Miss America contest, she was asked to speak on stage about her Reclaimed Respect initiative.“My vision as the next Miss Kansas is to eliminate unhealthy and abusive relationships,” Smith said. “Matter of fact, some of you out in this audience saw me very emotional because my abuser is here today. But that’s not going to stop me from being on this Miss Kansas stage and from representing as the next Miss Kansas. Because I, and my community, deserve healthy relationships. We deserve a domestic [violence] free life.”Watch: @lexlex_smith Respect Reclaimed is about reclaiming your power and standing firmly in it. On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace. Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world. I took back my power—not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening. This isn't about shunning others; it's about turning our pain into purpose and channeling it in a way that unifies and uplifts. I'm ready to use my story, tools, and resources to end unhealthy relationships in all forms. My voice and advocacy will empower everyone to reclaim their own power in their own unique way. I might be small in stature, but I stand tall in strength, purpose, and power with hopes of inspiring others to do the same. #fyp #abuse #miss #misskansas #missamerica #pageant #awareness #me #relationship #respect #tiktok In the video shared on TikTok, the new Miss Kansas wrote, "Respect Reclaimed is about reclaiming your power and standing firmly in it. On the night of Miss Kansas, my journey took an unexpected turn when someone I have been healing from tried to disrupt my peace. Instead of falling into silence, I chose to live out my vision for a better world. I took back my power—not just for myself, but for my dreams and everyone watching and listening."She wrote that it wasn't about shunning anyone, but about "turning our pain into purpose and channeling it in a way that unifies and uplifts.""I’m ready to use my story, tools, and resources to end unhealthy relationships in all forms," she wrote. "My voice and advocacy will empower everyone to reclaim their own power in their own unique way.I might be small in stature, but I stand tall in strength, purpose, and power with hopes of inspiring others to do the same."People who have experienced abuse themselves applauded her advocacy. "As a victim of domestic violence I applaud you for speaking out!! I watched this 10 times!! I’m still getting bullied by his parents even with a no contact order. I plan on helping women like us as well.""WHAT A WOMAN. This is absolutely incredible. From one survivor to another, I am SO SO proud of you for reclaiming this moment for yourself. You will do amazing things????""Incredibly brave of you. You just made a statement for all women. I appreciate you so much.""As an old survivor…I’m so damn PROUD OF YOU!! Love, A Stranger?""We got to see you ACTIVELY showcasing your platform LIVE IN PERSON! My upmost respect to you Miss Alexis. This is beyond any crown, I cannot wait to watch your journey. As someone who grew up around domestic violence, I have chills watching you. You will always have a supporter in me.? You absolutely ate that. ?""YAS GIRL! As a fellow survivor, you are an inspiration and I’m so proud of you for using your voice and showing your strength."According to The Wichita Eagle, Smith uses her 19 years of experience as a ventriloquist to teach kids about healthy relationships with puppets as part of her Reclaimed Respect initiative. She also works full-time as a cardiothoracic ICU nurse.This article originally appeared on 7.19.24

Mozart blew people away with his composing abilities at age 5. Franz Liszt played piano professionally for the aristocracy when he was 9. Yo-Yo Ma played cello for President John F. Kennedy at age 7. Musical prodigies have fascinated people for centuries with their mastery of music at unexpected ages. Most of us have the same questions: How and at what age were their abilities discovered? Is it nature or nurture or a combination of both? Can prodigies be created on purpose, or is it something no one can predict or control? While each musical prodigy has their own unique story, one family is giving the world some early glimpses of what an innate sense for music looks like in a baby who's still in diapers. Plenty of 1 1/2-year-old's like to pound piano keys to see what they sound like, but Gavrill Sherbenko's piano play goes far beyond experimenting with sound. He and his chubby little fingers make actual chords and coordinate notes between his two hands. At first, it might look like he's randomly playing keys, but it quickly becomes clear that he is purposeful in his playing. Watch:Watching more videos of Gavrill at the piano, we see that his musicality hasn't just appeared out of nowhere. Like most musical prodigies, he's living in a musical household. In some videos, he sits on his sister's lap watching her fingers intently as she plays and sings. In others, he sits on his mother's or father's lap as he experiments with the sounds of the piano, with or without them. But sometimes he plays totally on his own, and it's clear that he's already got an astounding understanding of the relationships between notes and how to form chords, both from observing what his family is doing and from hands-on practice himself.But again, even in very musical families, this kind of musicality at this young of an age is astounding. The best part of the videos of Gavrill at the piano is how much joy and love there are in each one. This is not a Beethoven being boxed about the ears for making a mistake on the piano situation. Yes, his family members are teaching him to understand what he's doing on the piano, but he seems to be enjoying it and so do they. A sports-loving family would toss and kick a ball around with a toddler; this family makes music together. A nurturing environment meeting an innate sensibility is what prodigious ability is made of. And when those elements are combined with genuine enjoyment, it's the best of all worlds—and a delight to witness.Watch how Gavrill is able to play the solfege that his sister sings. It's absolutely incredible, not only that he knows the notes to play to go with her pitches, but that he has the manual dexterity and fine motor control to play like he does at his age.Assuming he continues to enjoy playing it, it will be fun to see where all of this leads as he develops his gifts further. As one commenter said, "Get the tuxedo ready!" You can follow Gavrill's progress on YouTube. This article originally appeared on 12.5.23

From a hero to a copycat. The post “He did my exact solo”: The guitarist Eddie Van Halen said copied his every note first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

They recently revealed her diagnosis from 2018.

Kamala Offers Black Men Bribe to Get Their Votes

A scientific study published 21st April 2022, concluded that Covid-19 vaccination can elicit a distinct T cell-dominant immune-mediated hepatitis (liver inflammation) with a unique pathomechanism associated with vaccination-induced antigen-specific tissue-resident immunity requiring […]

It cut like a knife through the radio airwaves. The driving beat with acoustic and electric guitars going full tilt. Still, you kept coming back to that voice. It was harsh and powerful yet had a plaintive, desperate quality. Was it some long lost classic or had Humble Pie re-grouped, and just by chance, recorded the best thing of their career? No, it was “Bring Me Some Water” from Melissa Etheridge’s self-titled debut.Etheridge got her first guitar at age eight and soon began writing songs. By eleven, she was performing in local talent shows. Busting out of her native Leavenworth, Kansas, at age eighteen, she attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston before heading to L.A. Along the way Etheridge found her Blues/Rock style. A demo got in front of the right people and she was signed by Island Records. From “Yes I Am” there’s the slow driving “I’m The Only One.” The guitar churns along with Etheridge providing slow burning vocals until consumed by raw emotion. In her best songs, Etheridge’s voice, with an undeniable urgency and emotion, draws you in. There’s a craving that reaches fulfillment (or resignation) by the song’s end. I Am The Only One Even though Etheridge has sold over 25 million albums more people have heard of her than have heard her.   Etheridge’s non-musical activities garnered a huge amount of press complete with news her relationship with Cypher had hit the skids. Later, she married to Tammy Lynn Michaels in ’03, Etheridge joked that she was behaving like a typical Rock star by hooking up with a far younger actress. Six months later she released her “Lucky” album.Performers often change their trajectory. But sometimes outside forces act upon them. In ’04, while Etheridge was on tour she noticed a lump on her breast. She was soon diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. As a result, Etheridge underwent a full mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.It was at the ’05 Grammys where Etheridge made her public comeback performing a cover of Janis Joplin’s “Piece Of My Heart.” The audience roared their appreciation and approval.“Every day someone comes up to me and says something about that performance,” said Etheridge. “When people hear you have breast cancer, they tend to write you off.”A cancer-free Etheridge made the rounds on T.V. morning shows including “Good Morning America’s” Women Rule Concert Series where she told her story and promoted her greatest hits set, “The Road Less Traveled.” During her Times Square appearance she sang her hit ballad, “Come To My Window,” and a song dedicated to fellow cancer survivors “I Run For Life.” Royalties went to breast cancer charities. Come To My Window Switching gears, Etheridge turned her attention to the environment. She wrote the song “I Need To Wake Up” for former vice-president Al Gore’s documentary film “An Inconvenient Truth.” The track won an ’06 Academy Award for Best Original Song. Then came ’07’s “Awakening” album.Etheridge performed at the ’08 Democratic Convention in Denver and at Live Earth in New York (at Giants Stadium), a follow-up to her “An Inconvenient Truth” efforts. In February, ’11, Etheridge did a week-long stint as St. Jimmy in Green Day’s hit Broadway musical, American Idiot.Later in the year, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Located at 6901 Hollywood Boulevard, it was the 2,450th star awarded. ### The post Melissa Etheridge appeared first on RockinTown.

100% https://t.co/gFxDsh1hfW — Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) October 16, 2024

by Brenda Baletti, Ph.D., Childrens Health Defense: Argentine scientists identified 55 chemical elements — not listed on package inserts — in a study of the six major COVID-19 vaccine brands. The research, which confirms previous studies, sparked calls for transparency and further investigation. A group of Argentine scientists identified 55 chemical elements — not listed […]