DECK THE HOLIDAY'S

    Can you say Starkbierzeit? It's German for "strong beer festival", an event held every March in Munich. For two weeks, breweries bring out their most potent beverages, and beer halls throw noisy parties with a host of Bavarian entertainment and food. It's Oktoberfest without the tourists.     The festival's roots go back to the Paulaner monks who, according to legend, began making an extra strength beer to sustain themselves during their Lenten fast. The beer, first brewed in the 17th century, gained a "word of mouth" following. The townspeople called it Salvator.     Strong beer's popularity took off after Napoleon rode into town and sold the monasteries to local businessmen. Paulaner ended up in the hands of a entrepreneur named Franz Xavier Zacheri , who turned the monastery into a beer hall and mass produced the monks' beer. In an inspired bit of marketing, he promoted Salvator as a cure for the wintert

   This may be a time for chocolates and romantic steak dinners, bu this month is also filled with several national food holidays. Check out all of the great food holidays to be enjoyed during the month of February, plus great suggestions on how to celebrate them.        National Baked Alaska Day, February 1st - Who doesn't love cake and ice cream? But, you can make it even better by adding a thick layer of meringue and popping the whole thing in the oven. Be creative and choose gourmet flavors of ice cream and cake. Heavenly Hash Day, February 2nd -Heavenly hash is a wonderful combination of chocolate ice cream and almonds. Be creative and make some heavenly hash ice cream sandwiches using double chocolate cookies. National Carrot Cake Day, February 3rd -Take a break from cooking and baking and just grab some carrot cake cupcakes made at a local bakery. National Stuffed Mushroom Day, February 4th -A great way to celebrate this national food

   February's not just about Super Bowl Sunday, Valentines Day and Mardi Gras. Nope, this month has some pretty interesting days to celebrate to say the least. Serpent Day, February 1st- Go out and pet a snake or if you don't like them. Pet some snake skinned cowboy boots. Purification Day, February 2nd -Go out and wash real well today! Cordova Ice Worm Day, February 3rd -This day is for worms found in icebergs. Alaska actually has an annual Ice Worm Festival that takes place on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Create a Vacuum Day, February 4th -Go out and clean all of that pet hair and dirt out of your carpets. Disaster Day, February 5th -Might be a good day to stay inside and play scrabble. Lame Duck Day, February 6th- Charles Dickens Day Day, February 7th -One of the best early authors of his time, he wrote "A Christmas Carol", and has had many of his books turned into movies. Man Day, February 7th- Fly a Ki