Although I have not been a dedicated reader of the Reader, I have never seen criticism of it as "anti-business." (See "Defining Pro-Business News," River Cities' Reader Issue 622, February 28-March 6, 2007.) What people need to understand is that criticism is often a great way for businesses to understand their weaknesses and improve on them. Since a business can never objectively look at itself, it should rely on the feedback of clients and the community to identify and solve problems or expand and grow.

Twelve Quad Cities-area artists have been selected by a jury to create works for an exhibition and auction in conjunction with a major show at the Figge Art Museum. The artists will donate the 12 pieces to benefit the Figge, where the local artworks will be displayed from the week before a fundraising gala until May 27, or whenever the winning bidders choose to take possession of the artworks. The selected artists were Emily Christenson, Catherine Jones Davies, Diane Dexter-Wall, Sara Jane Fellin, Kristin Garnant, Ulrike Goerlich, David Heffner, Heidi Hernandez, Nancy Lindsay, Jim Riesberg, Bruce Walters, and Peter Xiao. The museum will present its fundraising gala "Under the Big Sky" on March 24, when guests can see the major exhibition of Deborah Butterfield's horse sculptures as well as the Follow the Horses show of locally created works. To make reservations for the gala, contact special-events coordinator Mary Davidson at (563) 326-7804 extension 2046. Admission is $125 per person, which includes heavy hors d'oeuvres, live music, wine, and cocktails. 

Don Henry wants to be judged on jobs.

As the director of the Northwest Region Entrepreneurship Center, the only criterion that matters, he said, is the number of new jobs his organization helps create. Even though the State of Illinois provides the bulk of his budget, Henry isn't bogged down by odious regulations or reporting requirements.

As much progress as each of the Quad Cities has made toward a vibrant downtown, it seems slower than anticipated or promised.