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.

The latest show by Corrine Smith, running through March 9 at the Morrissey Gallery inside St. Ambrose University's Galvin Fine Arts Center, is a chance to see some exciting new color explorations by a painting and collage powerhouse. She has incorporated a wider range of bolder colors that have invigorated her powerful images with even more visual octane.

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society has announced the lineup for the 2007 IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival. The organization will celebrate its 23rd annual festival with a lineup of blues legends and up-and-coming stars. More than 17,000 people are expected for the festival, which runs from Friday, June 29, through Sunday, July 1, in Davenport's LeClaire Park. The event is one of the longest-running blues festivals in the country. The complete schedule is available at (http://www.mvbs.org) . Headliners include Robert Randolph & the Family Band; blues-harp artists Mark Hummel, James Harman, and Paul Oscher; and Little Charlie & the Nightcats.