August 2006 
August 8, Tuesday, Ghost Festival (Kui chieh) : China.
FOOD AND DRINK
Chicken dishes, such as Chinese Crispy Chicken, are typical because chicken blood is considered to drive away ghosts. Duck and other poultry dishes are sometimes served as well.
August 15, Tuesday, Feast of the Assumption : Roman Catholic.
This day celebrates the Christian belief in the assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. It is a major religious holiday for Roman Catholics, celebrated with ceremonies followed by feasts and festivals. In France, Italy, Spain, Mexico, and other South American countries, businesses close, and many communities have major fairs with contests, dancing, performances, and other activities that may continue for up to a week. At home, families get together for a large meal. There are no special foods for the day, but extra courses are served to prolong the meal, and the host usually splurges on a luxury food such as pâté or seafood for the appetizer and a special pastry or cake for dessert.
In the Greek Orthodox Church this holiday is called the Dormition (the sleeping) and it is one of the most important religious holidays, preceded among the faithful with between three and fifteen days of fasting.
August 15, Tuesday, Janmashtami (john-mâsh-tommy) (Birth of Lord Krishna) : Hindu.
FOOD AND DRINK
Stories about the life of Lord Krishna describe him as a handsome and popular herdsman. Often he is depicted with cows or playing with the pretty milkmaids called gopis. In India, cows, green pastures, and lots of milk and cream are symbols of plenty. Many Indian festivities are celebrated by eating sweets, often made from milk. These are especially appropriate at Janmashtami because cows and milk are so strongly associated with Lord Krishna. These milk-based sweets are generally professionally made because the milk must be reduced very slowly until it is like fudge or even granular.