And Now For Something Completely Different: some upbeat news from metro Detroit.

Putting aside the recent grim news about the automobile industry and its hub, Detroit, Michigan, a story in The Detroit News caught our eye this week. Lacking a youth activity center, the city of Southfield (a suburb of the Motor City) has opened a $3 million facility in a former public library.

The facility can hold up to 400 people and features a stage, computer lab, three study rooms, meeting rooms, multipurpose/activity room, dance/fitness area, two music practice rooms and a cafe.

All nice, to be sure, but what makes it *really* interesting? The “Field Zone,” as it’s called, also has a video editing and podcasting room. The studio, sponsored by the Skillman Foundation, comes equipped with a “Mac Pro System” using Pro Tools, GarageBand, and Reason.

When kids tire of making podcasts and videos, there’s always more conventional summer-break fare: the game room with the Playstation 3, Wii, X-Box 360, and an arcade-style Dance Dance Revolution game.

A kid’s summer membership runs $55, and a family of two or more children is $100 for the summer.

Image: “Interview” by rorris