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JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

• ALWAYS CHANGING - As the debate of "is Amherst developing too much?" continues, I was personally touched by the topic this past weekend. In route to a house in Clarence, I drove down Smith Road towards Transit, passing Dann Road. My friend Hillary had previously lived on the corner of the two roads and I was reflecting on the many times I visited her there. As I approached the corner I thought I was lost because the house was gone and replaced with a housing development. Once I was sure I had the right corner the surprise set in that there was nothing left of her house. My parents still live in the house I grew up in in Marilla so this was the first time I had dealt with such a change. It was a bit sad, thinking back to the times Hillary and I would sit around the kitchen table, drinking coffee and laughing. But that is life I guess, in Amherst at least.

• GOING PLACES - Two weeks ago I wrote a front page story about two recent North High School grads, Jenny Zhang and Sahoor Khan, who raised money for a young Pakistani boy's heart surgery. At the time I didn't have the Web site for their foundation Children's Heart Awareness Project, also known as C.H.A.P. but Zhang has since provided me with it and I told her I would share it with The Amherst Bee readers. For information visit www.wnychap.org.

I wanted to take some time to comment on how amazing these two girls are. The day I met them at Starbucks on Transit Road, I parked my car and as I walked to the door four high school girls came out, walking towards a car I'll never be able to afford. I overheard the one say that her parents had gone out of town and left her with groceries. Her attitude towards the thought of her cooking was shocking, she laughed saying, "Like, I'm going to cook spaghetti. Yeah right." She added a comment about eating out for every meal. Her friends all laughed, I felt bad for her. I was wondering what my two interviewees would be like. As I opened the door, I hoped they had a better outlook on life. I learned they may have a better outlook on life than most adults do. The two were extremely polite, knowledgeable and showed they had a passion for helping others less fortunate - who don't even have the option of eating out at a restaurant. We talked a bit about their plans following high school and based on that conversation I am sure one day this newspaper will be reporting on their awards and achievements.

• REMEMBER YOUR HAT - The Buffalo Federation of Women's Clubs will hold a Garden Party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Art Deco Central Train Terminal on Memorial and Paderewski drives. The Amherst Victorian Dancers will be featured, as well as antique cars and refreshments. Women are invited to wear a summer hat and a prize will be awarded for the most beautiful garden party hat. Tours of the terminal and the Cancer Awareness Garden will be provided. The garden is maintained by the members of the Federation. For information, call 877-8814 or 837-6051.

• ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVE - The American Red Cross is overflowing with gratitude towards GEICO. John McGuire, CEO of American Red Cross recently presented the 2006 Platinum Award to GEICO's Buffalo office for donating 248 units of blood last year, the largest number of units of blood in Erie County.