'Dance Moms' Recap S4 E25: Chloe Gets Revenge, Christi Gets Crafty

L to R: Christi Lukasiak and Jeanette Cota from Dance Moms on Lifetime

By REESE AMOROSI

Previously on Dance Moms, studio owner Abby Lee Miller enlisted Jade Cloud to compete against Chloe Lukasiak, and the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) went up against the talented Studio Bleu team. This week on Dance Moms season 4, episode 25 titled "Chloe Gets Revenge," both of Abby's teams are entered in the Believe Talent Competition in Washington DC, but she keeps Jade on the Elite Team and moves Chloe to the Select Team. Maddie Ziegler has a great week dancing to a song written about her by Rachel Sage; Ava Cota has a tough week because her prop is hard to handle.

Glamorosi Recipes: Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Honey Mustard Glaze

Glamorosi Recipes: Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Honey Mustard Glaze

By REESE AMOROSI

If you enjoy sweet and salty food pairings like fleur de sel caramels or melon and prosciutto, chances are you will love this recipe for bacon-wrapped dates. The combination of sweet and chewy dates, salty and crispy bacon, and gooey melted cheese is a decadent taste and texture sensation, and the honey-mustard glaze takes it completely over the top. Bacon-wrapped dates are quick and easy to prepare; make them once and you won't need to look at the recipe again. Stuff the dates with whatever cheese you like, or for a change of pace, you can use nuts (try almonds) instead of cheese. Preparation: 35 minutes total (15 minutes prep, 20 minutes baking); yield: 36 pieces.

'Dance Moms' Recap S4 E24 Abby-phobic: ALDC vs. Studio Bleu

L to R: Sisters Maddie Ziegler and Mackenzie Ziegler from Dance Moms

By REESE AMOROSI

Previously on Dance Moms, Maddie Ziegler was away taping an appearance on Ellen, so Abby Lee Miller turned to other members of the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) to perform winning solos, and Christy with a Y antagonized Abby so her daughter, Sarah Hunt, was cut from the team. This week on Dance Moms season 4, episode 24 titled "Abby-phobic," Jade Cloud, a member of the Abby's Select Team, is invited to perform with her Elite Team. Jade competes head-to-head with teammate Chloe Lukasiak, and the group goes up against one of their toughest opponents, Studio Bleu.

Philadelphia's Chhaya Café Moves to New East Passyunk Avenue Location

Sausage Gravy and Cornbread Waffle with Fried Egg at Chhaya Café

By REESE AMOROSI

When Chhaya Café moves to its new location at 1819 East Passyunk on August 21, chef and owner Varnana “V” Beuria will have a larger home for her daily breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch nook. This is necessary due to the popularity of Chhaya, previously located two doors down at 1823 on East Passyunk Avenue, also known as South Philadelphia's "Restaurant Row." The concepts that V made popular at Chhaya's former space will remain: creative twists on classic dishes combined with pancakes, waffles and crepes, plus salads, sandwiches and beverages including a satisfying selection of teas and fair trade coffees.

'Dance Moms' Recap S4 E23, 3 Soloists One Star: Christy with a Why

By REESE AMOROSI

Previously on Dance Moms, studio owner Abby Lee Miller choreographed a duet for star pupil Maddie Ziegler and Gino Cosculluella (during which Maddie got her first kiss), and the Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) Elite Team took first place in a competition against the Candy Apples team. This week on Dance Moms season 4, episode 23 titled "3 Soloists, One Star," Maddie is in LA taping the Ellen show, so Abby assigns Kendall Vertes, Nia Frazier and Chloe Lukasiak solos to see which girl will come out on top. Christy with a Y repeatedly provokes Abby, and it leads to her daughter, Sarah Hunt, being dismissed. Her behavior is why we and some viewers call her "Christy with a 'Why?'"

Animal Lovers "Go Grey" in Celebration of World Elephant Day

The 3rd annual World Elephant Day is August 12, 2014

By REESE AMOROSI

August 12, 2014, is the 3rd annual World Elephant Day, an event to raise awareness and build support for African and Asian pachyderms. Organizers are asking for help for elephants, as they are currently endangered due to human greed: they are slaughtered for their ivory tusks and exploited as performing animals. On World Elephant Day, supporters will spread the word by wearing grey, using the hashtag #GoGrey on social media and changing their avatars to grey, and urging politicians to enact and enforce laws protecting elephants. For info on how to "Go Grey," the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and its 96 Elephants campaign has a helpful article.

Glamorosi Recipes: Roasted Eggplant Dip with Yogurt, Mint and Walnuts

Glamorosi Recipes: Roasted Eggplant Dip with Yogurt, Mint and Walnuts

By REESE AMOROSI

Although eggplant (aka aubergine) is available in markets year-round, in my area (the Mid-Atlantic US), July and August are the magic months in which many gardeners see this fruit from the nightshade family come into season. Purple eggplant is the most common, but it is also available in white, yellow, green, and mottled; I've used the different varieties in main dishes, appetizers, salads, breads and more. One of my favorite ways to prepare eggplant is in a dip with yogurt, mint and walnuts. I was inspired to make this eggplant dip after eating a Persian meal back in the 90s; this is my personal recipe refined through trial and error over the years.

'Dance Moms' Recap S4 E22, Kiss or Get Off the Pot: Maddie and Gino Duet

Gino Cosculluela and Maddie Ziegler on Lifetime's Dance Moms

By REESE AMOROSI

Previously on Dance Moms, studio owner Abby Lee Miller had two Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC) teams compete head-to-head. The new Select Team beat the original Elite Team, but was it fair? The Select girls were older with more training and experience, better choreography and prettier costumes. This week on Dance Moms season 4, episode 22 titled "Kiss or Get Off the Pot," the Elite Team works to get back on top, and to do it, they'll compete against Abby's nemesis, Cathy Nesbitt-Stein, and her Candy Apples team. For that showdown, Abby pairs her star dancer, Maddie Ziegler, with former Candy Apple Gino Cosculluela. During their duet, Maddie will get her first kiss.

Remembering the Atlantic City Pop Festival on its 45th Anniversary

A poster from the 1969 Atlantic City Pop Festival

By A.D. AMOROSI

Currently celebrating its 45th anniversary, Woodstock Music & Art Fair at Max Yasgur's 600-acre farm in New York’s Catskills – August 15 to 18, 1969 – is certainly the best-known and most widely regarded rock festival of our time. Still, it can’t beat the three-day event which occurred weeks before Woodstock and featured many of the same acts: the Atlantic City Pop Festival – August 1 to 3 in 1969 – at the Atlantic City Racetrack.