It's not your grandfather's Bell Helicopter complex

Company execs and engineers spent a lot of time listening to and working with potential customers before engineering its next-generation commercial craft.

While the first prototype isn't expected to fly until 2014, that new way of designing is already evident in other areas of Bell's operations.

The Lawrence D. Bell Employee Center proves that Bell under the direction of President John Garrison isn't your grandfather's helicopter company.

On the site of what was a drab, single-purpose cafeteria building is a beautiful multipurpose center complete with a Starbuck's, flat-screen monitors and work stations for employees to power up laptops and connect to Wi-Fi.

The 30,000-square-foot center evokes the same kind of feeling one gets walking along "Main Street" at the Trinity River campus of Tarrant County College. Lots of natural light as compared with the painted-over windows so typical of defense facilities. Plants. Colorful walls. A gift shop.

It's an environment conducive to the exchange of ideas over lunch. A place to sit with a colleague during an afternoon break and talk rotor stability over a double shot espresso.

That college campus feel was deliberate, Bell spokesman Robert Hastings said at a Wednesday reception to show off the first in a series of renovations and construction that will take place over the next three years at the company's east Fort Worth complex along Texas 10.

Bell plans to invest $235 million to construct two buildings, renovate structures and consolidate hundreds of employees spread out in other county locations.

The Fort Worth City Council and the Tarrant County Commissioners Court both approved tax abatements for Bell's new headquarters building and flight training academy.

The commissioners approved a 10-year, $4.4 million tax abatement in February.

The City Council adopted a 20-year, $13.5 million abatement package in December.

Bell is ahead of schedule on completion of the $7.2 million employee center. Next up is the new headquarters building, which will be east of the employee center. Groundbreaking is expected in October.

Expect the same focus on efficiency and sustainability as went into replacing the 1950s-era brick cafeteria.

"Eighty-five to 90 percent of the old building was recycled," said Pete Riley, Bell's vice president of operations.

Bricks were cleaned up and sold or donated to charity. Old lockers were refurbished and donated to an area skate park. Cafeteria equipment was reused or donated to charity.

From the installation of LED lights that automatically shut off if no one's in the room to a solar-heated filtered water system, renovations and upgrades are aimed at following green building design, construction, operations and maintenance.

"All those pieces put together save about 22 million kilowatts of energy," Riley said. "That's roughly the energy consumed by 1,800 to 2,000 homes annually or equal to the energy we use at our factory in Amarillo."

Riley said Bell plans to apply for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, which awards points based on sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality.

Deadmau5 raises his weapons in time for thrilling finale

The mammoth end to Justice's set on the Golden Voice Arena means I arrive 20 or so minutes into Deadmau5's performance, though as it turns out it’s a bit of a slow burner. (Not that Joel Zimmerman should necessarily have been expected to rush out the gates when delivering a two-and-a-half hour set pretty much all on his lonesome.)

The stage set-up isn’t exactly understated - Zimmerman's head fully encased in an amazing animated LED helmet with mouse ears, performing on top of a massive angular podium which functions as part of the spectacular synced light show.

The music is at times just about as unsubtle, pounding techno delivered like a brutal hammer blow – however, these moments themselves are expertly constructed despite the appearance of base simplicity. It's evident in an excellent rendition of Some Chords, the track building slowly, with its synth lead line hitting with thunderous intent once the beat kicks in.

It's hard to overstate how impressive the visuals are, the entire stage engulfed by intricate computer generated images, even including Deadmau5's beloved game Minecraft at one point while the face on his helmet mutated into that of a cat with constantly shifting eyes – the entire construction of the set-up constantly mesmeric (Zimmerman sometimes wearing his older non-LED helmet, and on the odd occasion a simple baseball cap to provide him with a better view of the audience).

Though the set didn’t really feel as though it had got going by the end of the first hour, as the darkness descended upon Loch Ness –neon suddenly glowing wonderously from all around – proceedings intensified terrifically, the production always fearsomely crisp, 4/4 beat always crystal clear. With the tunes before it largely devoid of vocals, there was a chance for the crowd to sing along – arms thrust aloft in the air – for the chorus of a spine-tingling Raise Your Weapon, before the electro-house track broke down into soul-crushingly heavy dubstep, and built into a blistering Sofi Needs A Ladder, vocalist Sofi coming onstage to inject some extremely welcome presence front of stage.

Strutting around and geeing up the crowd, she remained as they launched into a slow, menacing groove of One Trick Pony. (With performances in front of this size of audience you can see why Zimmerman may consider more vocals a necessary addition to engage the crowd.) After that it was up to Deadmau5 to make things ever more enthralling on his lonesome, a sample of Daft Punk's Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger heralding a pounding, bouncing FML.

The great electro throb of Ghosts 'n' Stuff allowed the crowd the chance to gloriously yell along to Pendulum man Rob Swire’s recorded vocals. An inspired graphic of a Nintendo controller with a 'continue?' countdown provided the crowd with a chance to demand some more, with Deadmau5 obliging with a final few tracks.

BMW 7 Series gets new engines and options for 2013

As BMW’s flagship, the 7 Series sedan needs to be at the forefront of technology in order to stay competitive. That is why BMW is giving its biggest sedan an update for the 2013 model year. The new 7 Series may look the same as the old one, but under the skin there are some significant changes.

On the outside, BMW says the 7 Series has a new grille and front fascia, but the changes are hard to notice. LED adaptive headlights are now an option; HID lights are standard.

The real changes are under the hood, where BMW tried to improve each of the 7 Series’ engines. The V8-powered 750i and 750Li (long wheelbase) get a revised twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter engine. The new power plant makes 445 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque, an improvement over the 2012’s 400 hp and 450 lb-ft. BMW claims a 0-60 mph time of 4.7 seconds and a 25 percent fuel economy improvement on the EU test cycle (EPA ratings are not available yet).

The 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 gets a completely new gasoline engine. The 4.4-liter V8 will be replaced by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six. Total system output is 349 hp. That is a significant drop from the 2012 model, which had 455 combined horsepower, allowing it to go from zero to 60 faster than a non-hybrid 7 Series (4.5 seconds, to be precise). BMW says the 2013 ActiveHybrid 7 will hit 60 in 5.5 seconds.

Hybrids are about fuel economy, though. According to BMW, that will improve the 2012 model’s 17/24 mpg city/highway by 14 percent, which might be enough for some buyers to excuse a lost second in the 0-60 sprint.

At the bottom of the lineup, the 740i and 740Li get the same inline-six used in last year’s model and this year’s hybrid. They do gain stop-start capability, as do the V8 models. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the 760Li’s V12 carries over unchanged, retaining its 535 hp and 550 lb-ft.

BMW will try to give all 7 Series customers a more comfortable ride by making rear air suspension standard on all models. All 7 Series models will also be available with Dynamic Damper Control, which can independently adjust the shock absorbers.

Rounding out the changes are simulated floating rear monitors for the iDrive control system, a 3D navigation display, and a new Bang & Olufsen sound system.

BMW did not say whether prices for the 2013 7 Series would change, but 2012 models start at $71,895 for a short wheelbase 740i, and climb to over $140,000 for a loaded 760Li. The 2013 7 Series goes on sale this summer, except the ActiveHybrid 7, which arrives in the fall.

Helmet fit crucial, other safety gear a must

Whether you ride for recreation or commuting, for health benefits or for transportation, one essential piece of equipment is a helmet.

Helmets are required by Florida law for any rider less than 16 years old.

While there are no laws against adults riding without one, the Florida Department of Transportation has reported 75 percent of all bicycle-related deaths are from head injuries and the Brain Injury Association of Florida has said Florida has one of the nation's highest rates of injuries and deaths from bicycle crashes.

However, FDOT also reports that 85 percent of fatal cycling head injuries could be prevented with helmets, and the Association states that a properly fitted helmet will stay on the rider's head to provide protection.

Charissa Davidson, of The Bike Shop in Winter Haven, said helmets come in closed versions with a few ventilation holes or "honeycomb" styles, depending on how much ventilation the rider wants.

Either one is fine, she said, as long as the helmet fits snuggly around the rider's head without moving when rocked gently side to side or front and back.

The fit can be finely adjusted with pads, the Association said. If the helmet is for a child, then it should be replaced as the child grows.

The rider should adjust the front, rear and chin straps to make a "V" that comes together just under the ear and keeps the helmet level and snug.

"Level," Davidson said, it just above the eyebrows and even on both sides.

Davidson said most newer models of helmets have elastic or cinch straps that tighten around the back of the head to make the helmet snug there, too.

The Association recommends that the strap should feel tight but not cause discomfort, with enough room to slide a finger under it.

The helmet also shouldn't move when the rider shakes his or her head.

Once the strap is tightened to the right length, Davidson said, the rider can trim it and singe the ends to keep them from unraveling.

By Florida law, any bicycle ridden between sunset and sunrise must have a white light lamp on the front that can be seen for 500 feet and a red light and reflector on the back, which can be seen for 600 feet. FDOT recommends any additional lighting or reflectors, including a day-glow orange vest with reflective material for day and night riding.

A mirror on the handlebars and/or helmet will help the rider check for approaching traffic from the rear. By Florida law, bicycles that are on the pavement must travel with traffic on that side of the road.

FDOT also recommends riding gloves to protect hands in case of a fall and to cushion hands from handlebar vibration.

Farmhouse is a combination of the modern and traditional

This unique recently renovated stone detached farm house boasts a wealth of character features including exposed stone walls, beams and stone sills.

The property is situated in the Ribble Valley market town of Longridge and is just a short distance from all local amenities and schools, yet has the convenience of easy access to Preston and the motorway network, ideal for the commuter.

Crumpax Farmhouse in Crumpax Avenue, has four bedrooms, an open plan kitchen and family room with dining area, plus lounge and study.

Outside, the house has front, side and rear gardens, a driveway to the front with parking for several vehicles, patio area and storage shed.

The property has been completely redecorated with some modern LED lighting installed.

On the ground floor there is also a stone flagged porch with exposed beams and stone walls. There is also a shower room with a newly fitted three piece suite including a curved cubicle with Mira shower.

There is also a newly installed kitchen with a range of modern wall and fitted base units with granite worktops, integrated Bosch induction hob and oven, Bosch integrated fridge and a breakfast bar. There is also a gas fired Aga.

The dining/family area is open plan to the kitchen. It has a living flame gas fire housed in a stone surround and hearth, built in storage cupboard and stone flagged flooring.

The focal point of the lounge is a ‘Morso’ multi fuel stove set into the chimney

breast with a stone hearth. There is a feature exposed stone wall and wooden beams. The master bedroom has character in a feature cast iron fireplace. There is lots of natural light via two double glazed windows to the front and side aspects.

The family bathroom is fitted with a four piece contemporary white suite including claw foot roll top bath with shower fitment and corner shower cubicle.

Outside, the large stone flagged patio has a high specification summerhouse/home office with electrical services and heating. There are extensive lawned areas to the rear and side with newly planted borders. A separate large secure dog run has a kennel and water supply. The front area is lawned with newly planted