Recent national accolades for our fine hometown confirm what we've been telling you on OnMilwaukee.com for nearly 10 years.

Forbes.com put Milwaukee on its March 10 list of "Top 10 Up-and-Coming Tech Cities." In his 2008 Small Business Outlook, reporter William Pentland writes, "Thanks to a potent recipe mixing hearty helpings of money, leadership, commitment and vision, a cadre of small cities is rapidly earning respect as veritable tech hubs."

Jim Paetsch, director of corporate relocation, expansion and attraction for Milwaukee 7 is quoted in the piece. Forbes.com details its reason for including Milwaukee in a photo essay within the story.

The complete list of Top 10 Up-And-Coming Tech Cities:
1. Columbus, OH
2. Santa Fe, NM
3. Palm Beach County, FL
4. Houston, TX
5. Milwaukee
6. Pittsburgh, PA
7. Boise, Idaho
8. Iowa City, Iowa
9. Lake Charles, LA
10. Yuma, AZ

In other news, yesterday's USAToday.com put our Central Library on its list of "10 great places to find a nook and read a book."

About our beautiful Downtown library reporter Scott McDonald noted, "This grand old library, built in 1898, displays French and Italian Renaissance architectural styles. Several additions help comprise the block-long building that stands today. "Two things that make a visit here most unforgettable are the grand staircase and the domed rotunda that separates the building's east and west wings.

"The library has all the bells and whistles that today's modern users expect, yet it still gives the impression of being a cherished old friend."