WESTPORT, Conn. -- When you step foot inside Rich Dean Boxing & Fitness in Westport, there's a giant boxing ring with Rocky Balboa on the right, throwing a punch, and Apollo Creed on the left, giving a jab.Well, almost. At the club — which is reopening Wednesday in a new, larger location at 230 Post Road E. — students get to work inside a large boxing ring with former Olympic boxer ...

STRATFORD, Conn. -- The day after Christmas 2016 is one that will stay in the mind of Stratford Firefighter Mike Apatow — as well as the rest of the department — forever.That was the day that the Stratford Fire Department lost firefighter Jason "Carf" Carrafiello to complications of surgery. He was only 38."I really enjoyed going to work and seeing Carf around the kitchen ...

DANBURY, Conn. -- Danbury writer Kristin Wolfe, an adjunct professor of English, is teaching a workshop to help juniors and seniors with the essays for their college applications."Amidst a sea of test scores, grades and activity data, the essay is where you really get to demonstrate who you are and what you have to offer," Wolfe said. "Sign up for a six-week workshop to ...

WESTPORT, Conn. — Metro-North commuters and area residents alike had a reason to cheer Friday as Donut Crazy officially threw open its doors at the Westport Train Station at about dawn.    Donut Crazy has developed a cult following across Fairfield County for its enormous doughnuts and unusual flavor combos. On opening day, Gabby Jordan of Stamford had her hands full with a Nutella ...

NORWALK, Conn. — Zumba, kickboxing, boot camp, spinning: You’ve already tried all the cardio classes — or have you?Work It Dance and Fitness in Norwalk is now offering Pole Dancing, which may be a new — and addictive — option for fitness buffs.Pole dancing combines a variety of workouts all rolled into one. "You develop strength comparable to crossfit, you gain cardio endurance ...

DANBURY, Conn. — Through their senior project, three Danbury High girls are making it possible for teens who are less fortunate to go to the prom.The girls — Sarina Gersten, 18, Lexi Lucas, 18, and Alasandra Primavera, 17 — created a boutique and scholarship program for teens who receive help at Family & Children's Aid in Danbury.They have organized a donation drive where people can ...

WILTON, Conn. — The Turnover Shop, which has been kept running for 75 years entirely due to volunteers, is not your average thrift shop.The consignment/donation shop offers a large selection of new and gently used clothing as well as household merchandise, books, shoes, linens and craft items."It’s a terrific place for things like prom dresses, tuxedos, Halloween costumes and other ...

WILTON, Conn. — Alexander Higle and Shu-Chuan Chen, owners of Culture Tea in Wilton, are brewing up a few new offerings at their tea shop. They are offering a series of free health talks along with some new flavors of tea.The talks, which will be taught by a different expert each week, will help customers learn how to improve their health.“This series is about finding ideal health -- ...

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. — The heavy snow stopped falling Tuesday evening, but Danbury resident Scott Clifford was still out plowing the snow on Wednesday morning. Clifford, who operates a local snow-plowing business, was shoveling out the Peachwave in Brookfield, which is owned by his family.It will take a long time to clean up from Tuesday's blizzard -- which dumped 7 to 20 inches of ...

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. — As the snowstorm tapers off on Tuesday afternoon, the birds are once again flying across Fairfield County. "The March storm makes it difficult for birds to find natural sources for food, so feeders are like a fast-food drive-through during storms. Chickadees need to fatten up during the day to survive frigid nights," said Brookfield resident Tara ...