OLAF FUB SEZ: According to Scottish essayist and historian Thomas Carlyle, born on this date in 1795, “It is a vain hope to make people happy by politics.”

TIME TO SHOP—Take your gift list to the annual St. Nick’s Bazaar from 10 a. m. to 3 p. m. today and Saturday in Resurrection Lutheran Church, Doat and Genesee streets. Choose from craft items, toys, knitted and handmade goods, holiday decor, jewelry and baked treats.

CORNER POCKET— Chalk up your cue and help a good cause at the Toys for Tots 8-Ball Tournament at 1 p. m. Saturday in Pocketeer Billiards, 2444 Clinton St., Cheektowaga. Practice starts at noon. Entry is $15 with a new, unwrapped toy, or $25 without one, and includes a free buffet and cash prizes. All skill levels are welcome. For info, call the club at 822-POOL.

HEALTHY GLOW— Cornerstone Manor, the shelter for women and children, benefits from proceeds at the Day of Pampering and Wellness from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. Saturday in Life’s Gifts Unfolded, 856 Ridge Road, Lackawanna, which offers Reiki, Lomi Lomi and reflexology. Cost is $35 and includes food and door prizes. Call 783-9002 to register.

YESTERDAY’S YULE— They’re celebrating the old-fashioned way, like they did in the 1800s, Saturday and Sunday in the Hull Family Home and Farmstead, 5976 Genesee St., Lancaster. This year there’s Christmas by the Fireside, with special holiday vignettes throughout the house, food, music and holiday photos. Admission is $6 adults, $3 teens, free for youngsters under 12. Space is limited. Call 741-7032 for reservations.

SANTA SIGHTING— The Cataract City Youth Corps benefits from a Breakfast With Santa and Theme Basket Raffle from 9 a. m. to 1 p. m. Saturday in St. James United Methodist Church, 4661 Porter Road, Niagara Falls. Tickets are $5 adults, $3 children 5 to 10, under 5 free, which includes a color photo with Santa.

BRAIN POWER—If you’re the brightest bulb on your block this holiday season, then you should shine on the American Mensa Admission Test, Mensa being the nonpolitical international organization for people who score at or above the 98th percentile on this IQ test.

Next test is at 7 p. m. Monday in the Community Meeting Room at Southgate Plaza, West Seneca. Fee is $40. Photo ID is required. Anyone 14 and older is welcome, but those under 18 need parental permission. Walk-ins are OK, but it’s better if you call Jaclyn McKewan at 630-1694. For general info, visit www.us.mensa.org.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY— Todd Liberatore, Steven Liberatore, Laura Szmania, Joseph Szmania, Lillian Miller, Karyn Browszy, Helen Dombrowski, Austin Ponter, Carole Melohusky, Amie Hart, Nina Rae O’Neill, Sister Mary Anita Benecki, Linda Ochocinska, Mary E. Yakovac, Ann O’Leary, Rick Knutsen, Chuck Steiger, Jack Carone, Taster C. Crews, Bob Grossman, Paul Sawicz, Mary Anne McMahon, Maria Halt, Mary Terrana, Kelly Griffin, Vinny Hornberger and Kiernan Lauber.

SATURDAY—Monsignor David Slubecky, Carol Jaczewski, Maureen Mueckl, Bob Proudman, the Rev. Rick Gribble, William Jaczewski, Gray Pascucci, Nina Wickett, John Rzeznik, Vincent Collins, Bill McLaughlin and Joe Hynes.

AND SUNDAY—Sister Mary Matthew Gawlik, Jessica Rine, Maureen Migliore, Jennifer Davis, Ernst Brown Jr., Joan Szyper, Danielle Glynn, Beverly

A. Clark, Adam Henninger, Mary Kujawski, Don Schrecngost, Ron Schrecngost, Teresa Cybulski and Kyle Liszewski.