OLAFFUB SEZ: According to the 14th Dalai Lama, born Lhamo Dhondrub on this date in 1935, “Using force is not a sign of strength, but rather a sign of weakness.”

Midnight Thoughts

One night I sat looking at photos

That have been taken throughout the years.

Some made me laugh

And others just brought tears.

Family and friends that are

now long gone

Kept me in memories until

the dawn.

Then new faces stared out at

me

And brought me back to reality.

—Honey Snitzer

OYE COMO VA—Coming up Saturday is the area’s newest summer festival—LatinFest— on the grounds of the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg, 4999 McKinley Parkway. It starts at 5 p. m. and includes food, dancing, live music and activities for youngsters and teens. Parking is free.

“I wanted to have a family-friendly cultural event in the Southtowns,” says Johnny Juarez, a Christian recording artist and organizer of the festival who recently moved here from Toronto.

For information, call Vanessa Juarez at 649-6335 or e-mail vjuarez@wchamburg.org .

BIKE CHAIN—There’s another collection of used, but ridable, bicycles from 9 a. m. to noon Saturday in the parking lot of Williamsville South High School, 5950 Main St., this time under auspices of the reunion committee of the Williamsville South and North classes of 1969. The two-wheelers will be shipped that day to Ghana as part of the Bikes for the World initiative. A $10 donation also is encouraged to help pay for shipping. For information, call Cris Hicks-Usta at 689-4526 or e-mail Class of ’69 alumnus Keith Oberg at www.bikesfortheworld.org.

MILITARY NOTES— Amry Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert P. Brown, son of Marilyn Brown of North Tonawanda, has been named Special Agent of the Year. He is assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Army Criminal Investigation Command at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash. A 1988 graduate of North Tonawanda High School, he received a bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa University and a master’s degree from George Washington University.

Army Reserve Sgt. Alison L. Lancewicz, son of Jacqueline Joyce of Orchard Park, is returning to the U. S. after deployment in Iraq. An intelligence analyst with four years of military service, he is assigned to the 422nd Civil Affairs Company in Greensboro, N. C. He is a 2004 graduate of Holland Central High School.

Army Staff Sgt. William E. Langer, son of William Langer of Orchard Park, was one of 79 receiving degrees in the first graduation ceremony for American service members in Iraq at the Al Faw Palace at Camp Victory in Baghdad. A squad leader assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 68th Transportation Detachment at Camp Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, he has served in the military for seven years. He is a 1999 graduate of Orchard Park High School.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY—Mikey Sweeney, Mark Grzywna, Barbara Holdridge, Gerald Sobkowiak, Marty Gorman, Jimmy Evers, Walter J. Albert, Janie Caulder, Ashley Ciesielski, Renee Brind’Amour, Joseph M. Rooth, Salvatore Rine, Sandy Luedke, Tommy Occhino, Chelsea Watson, Connie Schipani, Alissa Ganci, Danielle Tomaka and Brian Pritchard.