Now that’s something you don’t get to write every day.

And, granted it’s a former Grinnellian.  Well, he was a Grinnell when he attended Grinnell College some 50 years ago.

But Herbie Hancock has returned to the area regularly and speaks glowingly of his team here.  And he stunned the music world last night when he was awarded the top prize at the 50th Grammy Awards — Album of the Year.

Hancock was just another Grinnell College student in the late 50s and early 60s, though he had a knack for playing the piano.  He met a fellow named Miles Davis, a fair trumpet in his own right, who asked him to join his quartet.  Hancock left Grinnell before graduating and the rest is jazz history.  He did return to receive his degree later and is listed as a member of the Class of ‘61.

Hancock’s Grammy-award winning effort was a tribute to Joni Mitchell, “River: The Joni Letters.”  TIt was the first time in 43 years that a jazz album has won the album of the year prize. “What a beautiful day this is in Los Angeles!” Hancock said as he took the stage.

Hancock has played Grinnell at least three times in the last decade or so; at the College’s Sesquicentennial celebration, at the dedication of the Bucksbaum Fine Arts Building, and at an Al Gore campaign event.

I had the chance to interview him during one of those visits. Among other things, he said Grinnell helped to shape him creatively and prepare him for what was to come.

Today, what has come is pretty special!

For the fourth consecutive year, PowI-80 led a delegation of local leaders to Washington DC for a series of meetings with members of Congress, staff and administration officials.  The visit last week included quality time with both 3rd District Congressman Leonard Boswell and 1st District Congressman Bruce Braley.  While Poweshiek County is within Boswell’s district, Braley was born in Grinnell and raised in Brooklyn. His mother still lives (and substitute teaches) in Brooklyn and he has a house on Holiday Lake.

The group also met individually with Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley. And, we spent time raising local issues of importance with staff members who deal with those respective areas:  Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement inequities, rural entrepreneurship, recreation trail funding, education, etc.

Each year, it seems the impact of our visit grows.  Staff members know us by name, the congressmen remember our issues, and we easily find our way around Capitol Hill and the DC area.  We even know the spots for the best photo opportunities!

From left to right:  Shannon McNaul (Grinnell City Council, executive director of the Galaxy Youth Center); Robin Lilienthal (Provost, Iowa Valley Community College Grinnell Center);  Bill Menner; Fran Conn (Starnes TV and Appliance, Chair- Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce Board); Ed Hatcher (Grinnell Regional Medical Center Foundation Board Chairman); Brad Hohensee (Superintendent, BGM School District); Todd Linden (President, Grinnell Regional Medical Center):  Liz Queathem (Immediate Past Chair, Imagine Grinnell Board);  Amy Kalkbrenner (Grinnell College Director of Community Enhancement); and, Gordon Canfield (Mayor of Grinnell).  Not pictured:  Danny Carroll (Iowa Telecom Director of Community Relations)

This photo was taken in some fancy committee room in the Russell Senate Office Building.

Everyone is smiling here.  Bad weather in Chicago, however, delayed the trip home for many in the delegation.  One group did not return until midnight on Friday night.  They were supposed to get into Cedar Rapids Thursday evening.  Only those who took the new non-stop flight between Des Moines and Washington Reagan on Northwest got home on time.  (There’s probably a lesson there somewhere!)

If you’re interested in going to DC with us next year, contact PowI-80 at 641-236-1626.

(By the way, we’re holding a 13-year-old copy of the Grinnell Herald-Register in this photo!!)