The 405 Aired Oct 6th, 2026

As you know, yesterday was Motor Monday.

And because it was, well, I refrained from telling you this story.

Yesterday, not only being Motor Monday, was also the 56th anniversary of the day I heard that Janis Joplin died.

Do you remember that story? It's October 5th, 1970.

And I'm in eighth grade in the junior high building across from the community church, you know, upstairs.

Understand with me, this is the 1970-1971 school year in Malta Public Schools.

We're in Mr. Douglas' geography class.

Mr. Douglas had a very interesting and relevant way of starting many days in that class.

He would allow students to share a current event.

So this morning, on October 5th, 1970, and it was a Monday, I might add, he asks the class if anyone has a current event.

Now, just understand this.

I, Orvin Solberg, would not share a current event or anything else for that matter when it came to voluntary actions within the confines of school.

I don't care if my grandmother had just invented sliced bread and it was the new world craze.

I would not, I repeat, would not volunteer an answer in school.

It's just too embarrassing, too nerve-wracking, too, well, too darn hard.

What if your voice cracks? What if the class laughs? What if you get your merds wixed? No, I will not and would not volunteer an answer in class under any means.

So when Mr. Douglas asks the class if anyone has a current event to share, I look down at my notebook and act like I'm writing something or turn the page in my geography book.

But not Carrie Topman.

No, sir.

She was brave.

She was bold.

She was confident.

Carrie raised her hand, and when called upon, she said, and I quote, Janis Joplin died last night.

I can remember thinking, wow, how bold and spot on is that? I remember thinking, isn't that great? She's brave enough to share openly in class, and then she has this monumental world-changing fact to share.

I remember thinking, how can a girl in my class have her pulse on America like a professional and have the confidence to share it openly in class? And I remember she didn't just spout it out.