“Understanding Business Finances to Maximize Your Profit”- Learn how to keep the necessary records for your small business and how to set up functional record keeping systems.  Discussion will include understanding financial statements, making income projections and different accounting methods that work best for your business.

“Introduction to QuickBooks”- Please note that the prerequisite to this class is the successful completion of “Understanding Business Finances”.  Participants will receive hands-on instruction in a small group setting.  The class fee includes a copy of QuickBooks 2008 software. Please be aware that demand for this workshop is high and registrations are accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

“Tax Related Issues for Small Business”- Every business owner needs to know the tax issues associated with owning a small business in Connecticut.  Learn about the different kinds of taxes affecting your business and about your filing responsibilities and deadlines.  Our certified CPA instructors will help you understand your reporting and compliance responsibilities and answer questions about payroll taxes, sales tax and personal property tax.

To register for classes or for additional information, please contact Rina Bakalar, Institute Director, at r.bakalar@cedf.com  or 203-235-2333 ext. 2040 or visit the CEDF website www.cedf.com  to download course information and registration forms.

The program allows business development specialists from the City and UI to meet with local businesses, one-on-one, to discuss the challenges many businesses are facing in these difficult economic times, and explore solutions that can help companies in West Haven expand and grow.

The program is targeting companies from a wide range of business arenas that are integral to West Haven’s economic vitality and success. If you would like your business to participate in the program, please contact Ashley McClellan at mcclellan@westhaven-ct.gov.

Please visit UI’s economic development website at www.ctcentralcoast.com.

Mayor John M. Picard, right, presents the West Haven Pride Award for the city’s March Business of the Month to University of New Haven President Stephen H. Kaplan in front of the future site of the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science.

The award praises UNH for the addition of the $9.4 million Lee Institute and “for its wholehearted devotion to the city of West Haven as an outstanding community and institutional partner.”

The 15,649-square-foot Lee Institute, which will open next fall and sit on a portion of UNH’s 80-acre main campus on the Boston Post Road, is part of Allingtown’s ongoing renaissance, which also includes the university’s new, $43 million Soundview Residence Hall, which stands five stories, and $15.5 million David A. Beckerman Recreation Center, which encompasses 56,000 square feet.

UNH’s ambitious development initiatives are complemented by the recent, state-of-the-art expansion at nearby Notre Dame High School and the completed Penske Truck Leasing facility at the old Bowl Drive-In theater site at 38 Boston Post Road.

University of New Haven
300 Boston Post Road
1-800-342-5864
http://www.newhaven.edu

From left, Charli’s Cupcake Factory owner Jennifer Maultsby and her 6-year-old daughter, Charli, receive the West Haven Pride Award for the city’s February Business of the Month from Mayor John M. Picard with employees Kori Ligon and Chelsea Rivera.

The award praises the sweets shop “for its wholehearted devotion to the city of West Haven as an outstanding community partner.”

Charli’s, which opened last fall, specializes in a smorgasbord of homemade, gourmet and organic cupcakes and muffins.

Using only natural or organic ingredients, Charli’s seven employees make each heaping-size cupcake from scratch, baking at least 400 a day.

Charli’s Cupcake Factory
912 Campbell Avenue
203-909-6001
http://charliscupcakefactory.com/

West Haven Beaches & Shoreline

West Haven’s crown-jewel shoreline is one of the foremost locations in Connecticut to spot rare shorebirds, serving as a migratory route for some of the most endangered bird species. The Sandy Point estuary, one of the sites featured on the Connecticut Coastal Birding Trail, has been designated an “important bird area” by Audubon Connecticut. It is also the area where Sammy the harp seal has been spotted.

Historic Bradley Point Park, featuring sweeping panoramas of Long Island Sound, marks the area where invading British troops landed on July 5, 1779, and now serves as a hotbed for picnickers and passive recreation. The shoreline is just minutes from the historic downtown business district.

Directions to West Haven Beaches and Shoreline

Interstate 95 North
Take exit 42. Turn right onto Route 162, Sawmill Road. Follow beach signs about 2 miles to Captain Thomas Boulevard. Public parking lots are in both directions.

Take exit 43. Turn right onto Campbell Avenue. Follow beach signs about 1 1/2 miles to Captain Thomas Boulevard. Turn left at the traffic light, then turn right at the stop sign. Follow the water along Beach Street. The Sandy Point public parking lot is about a 1/2 mile on the right, across from Captain’s Galley.

Interstate 95 South
Take exit 42. Turn right onto Route 162, Sawmill Road. Follow beach signs about 2 miles to Captain Thomas Boulevard. Public parking lots are in both directions.

Turn right onto Captain Thomas Boulevard. Travel about a 1/4 mile to the Bradley Point Park public parking lot, the first lot on the left.

Turn left onto Captain Thomas Boulevard. Travel about 1 mile through two traffic lights, then turn right at the stop sign. Follow the water along Beach Street. The Morse Park public parking lot is about a 1/4 mile on the left, after Chick’s Drive-In.

Turn left onto Captain Thomas Boulevard. Travel about 1 mile through two traffic lights, then turn right at the stop sign. Follow the water along Beach Street. The Sandy Point public parking lot is about a 1/2 mile on the right, across from Captain’s Galley.

Take exit 43. Turn left onto Route 122, First Avenue. Follow beach signs about 1 1/2 miles to the water. The Morse Park public parking lot is on the right, 100 yards past Captain’s Galley on Beach Street.

Hours
Beaches are open from 9 a.m.–dusk daily.
Lifeguards are on duty weekends only through June 22, daily from June 23–Aug. 17 and weekends only from Aug. 23–Sept. 1. Daily supervision is from 10:15 a.m.–3 p.m.

Daily Parking Rates (Nonresidents)
The daily fee is $10 from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. and $5 after 4.

Lodging
For area hotels and accommodations, call 800-332-STAY

West Haven is conveniently located in South Central Connecticut along Interstate 95 between New York City and Boston. Our train station is on a fast-track toward completion and will provide plenty of parking and a fast connection to Stamford and New York City as well as the Connecticut shoreline communities.

West Haven is home to the University of New Haven and Yale Universities new West Campus.  In addition, there are more great colleges and universities located near by offering a wide range of studies and options.

West Haven Universities
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAVEN
YALE UNIVERSITY

Area Colleges and Universities
FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY
GATEWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
QUINNIPIAC UNIVERSITY
SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVE

West Haven Farmers’ Market
Thursdays 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. & Saturdays 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
West Haven Green
Corner of Campbell & Main
July - October
WIC Certified

Click here to learn about Farmers’ Marke