John Matuszak: Bexley seeks to nix texting and driving.

Exit the Information Superhighway before traveling our roadways.

That's the message Bexley City Councilman Jed Morison wants to send as he introduced an ordinance banning texting while driving in the suburb.

"It's a tool to say 'it's against the law to text and drive'" in Bexley, Morison explained at the July 28 council meeting. "If your hands are off the wheel and your eyes are off the road, it's a disaster waiting to happen."

A recent study published in the New York Times stated that drivers who are texting are 23 times more likely to have an accident - a greater risk that drinking and driving.


Morison wants the ordinance to be more educational than punitive, and he isn't looking to create a greater burden for police.

"My hope is that parents and family members and friends will be the chief educators and enforcers" of the ordinance, he said.

Some 14 states and several Ohio cities have entacted similar prohibitions, but Bexley is among the first central Ohio communities to take on the issue. Around 100,000 vehicles pass through Bexley every day.

City Attorney Lou Chodosh pointed out that Bexley already has a law against "driving while distracted," but that the texting ban would be more specific.

While some residents are questioning whether council should spend time on the ordinance, others are supportive, and the effort is drawing attention from outside the city.

Gahanna resident Sharon Montgomery spoke in favor of the move. Nine years ago her husband was killed and she was seriously injured in an accident involving a driver using a cell phone.

For 12 years, the state legislature has been trying to pass a bill banning cell phone use while driiving, without success, Montgomery said.

"So, if you want people to be safe in Bexley, you're going to have to take matters into your own hands," she said.

Morison acknowledged that this legislation could lead to a discussion of banning cell phone use while driving, but he wanted to get the texting law passed before getting hung up on that issue.

While teens do the majority of texting, Morison noted that the ordinance is not directed solely at them. In fact, since adults are less proficient at sending text messages, it's probably more dangerous when they text and drive, he added.

The ordinance will have additional readings when council returns from its summer recess in September, and the city is looking for public input on the issue before it votes, Morison said.

In other business, at council's service committee meeting, Councilman Rick Weber reported that residents could see an increase in their trash bills under a new contract with Rumpke Waste Haulers.

Bexley has been negotiating with the hauler it has used for seven years, along with a consortium of communities including Reynoldsburg, Gahanna and New Albany. The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio has also been part of the talks.

Under the proposed contract, the cost for most residents would increase from $60 to $72 per quarter for 2010, Service Director Bill Harvey said. Costs for senior citizens would jump from $40 to $66 per quarter.

Harvey wants to revisit how the city extends the senior citizen discount.

Weber said that these costs would be fixed for the length of the five-year contract, but that Rumpke could increase charges to the city if fuel costs or recycling fees go up.

The trash contract has to be approved by Oct. 1. A service committee meeting with a Rumpke representative will be scheduled in September.

In other news, council:

Approved an ordinance ending a moratorium on hiring union-represented employees without council's approval, as long as the salaries are in the current budget. Council retains the ability to approve hiring of non-union employees.

Introduced an ordinance to purchase property adjacent to the city's community garden near Sheridan Avenue for $22,000. The purchase would provide easements to other city-owned lots and secure land for future development, Mayor John Brennan explained.

Introduced a resolution allowing the mayor to accept a $475,000 state grant for interior renovations at Jeffrey Mansion. Parks and Recreation Director Mike Price said the work would cover heating and cooling systems, floors and other repairs, and not expansion of mansion facilities.

Scheduled a meeting of the Land Use Master Plan Committee for Aug. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at Torah Ehmet synagogue on Main Street. The plan covers future development in areas including Livingston Avenue, Mayfield/Ferndale and North Cassady Avenue, according to Councilman Ben Kessler.



Announced that the Labor Day block party would be held at Jeffrey Park Sept. 6 from 3-6 p.m. with games and activities for kids, a yard sale, a Bexley Meadow Band concert and barbecue dinners for $5.


HELP BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO UPGRADE ITS ANTENNA. SEND YOUR MONEY PROMPTLY. BE GENEROUS.

Bexley Public Radio Foundation broadcasting as
WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Local Power Radio
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209
Voice (614) 235 2929
Fax (614) 235 3008
Email wcrxlp@yahoo.com
Blog http://agentofcurrency.blogspot.com

Bexley Public Radio Foundation is exempt from federal taxes under IRC Section 501(c)(3). Donations are deductible from federal income taxes for individuals who itemize. Checks may identify the payee as Bexley Public Radio Foundation or WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2009. All rights reserved. John Matuszak.

Dianne Garrett spends time with her bunnies.

As I escorted my dog, Abi, outside on July 1, something special was happening in our yard. Abi rounded the house being her happy little self exploring the yard as if she's never seen it before. She does that several times a day. I noticed a big rabbit, and she wasn't running away. I thought it odd, but then figured she might be guarding a nest. So I gently guided Abi back into the house, never letting her get a glimpse of the visitor.

I went back out and the rabbit had hurried away. So I checked where we have had nests in previous years, and sure enough, there were two little ones squirming around. I saw something in the grass where the mama had been, and realized why she had not run away immediately when she saw us. She was in the middle of birthing the third baby! There it was squirming in the grass, helpless with no mama in sight. It was getting a little windy, and the baby was getting cold since it was still wet from its birth. So I gently scooped it up, and tucked it into the nest with the litter mates. They looked like little wet, wiggly cigars.



My two favorite bunnies. The one on the left is my little buddy. They will soon leave the nest with their mama, and I will miss them, but we know all little ones must leave the nest eventually. They are very happy.



Of course, mama came back, and over the next 24 hours she made a nice, warm nest with her fur and leaves. I check on them every day, and on July 4th I took one out to cuddle. Too cute! They have heard my voice and had my scent since they were only minutes old, so they don't seem to mind when I visit them and want to hold one or all of them. Neither does their mama. Only one has become a little bit of a "Nervous Nellie", but still loves to burrow down in my hand with the others for little visits.

I'm just praying the hawks will not swoop down when they start running around with their mama as they prepare to leave the nest in a few weeks. I take my dog out on a leash in a fenced yard so that she will not discover them. We've had that happen before, and the end result was sad. But she does what comes naturally.




For other animal lovers like myself, I will post more photos on the blog as they grow. I guess they are little blessings in my garden this year.

The bunnies enjoyed a little time out of their nest for a photo. Here they are nine days old.

Dianne Garrett interviews Domenik Hixon, New York Giants wide receiver.

It was a pleasure to have New York Giants No. 87 Domenik Hixon join us on July 8 as a guest at WCRX-LP. Domenik and best friend, Anthony Jordan, are the founders of The Next Level Football Camp, and were in town for the third annual event at their alma mater, Whitehall Yearling High School, July 11. Anthony is assistant football coach at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania.
-
-


Best pals, Domenik Hixon and Anthony Jordan paused for a photo together.
-
-
The pals decided three years ago to do something to give back to their home community, and the numbers in attendance grow each year. Not wanting anyone to be left out due to the inability to pay the registration fee, they made sure that all were welcome to participate, fee waived. About 120 youths attended, about 20 of them little girls. They also brought several NFL players as camp coaches.

Domenik shared how his parents, Marvin and Britt, gave him every opportunity to excel to be who and what he desired. He was born in Germany to an American dad and German mom. When he was 11 he told his dad that he would someday like to go to college and play professional basketball. At least that was his original plan. His parents made the difficult decision to get transferred to the states, choosing to live in Whitehall after hearing good things about the community from friends. The rest is history.

Anthony parents, Paul and Phyllis, have been most supportive in his endeavors, as well. Sister, Paula, also assisted with the events of the weekend, traveling home from Chicago. Both families played an integral part assisting during the weekend.
-
-


Jonathan Fowler, 20 months, was more interested in WYHS teacher, Joan Sippola's boxer puppy, Ramsey, while his older brother, Denzel, was learning all about football.
-
-
Buffalo Wild Wings hosted an auction of sports memorabilia Friday, and provided food for the camp. Hixon also thanked Tim Horton's and J.C. Penney for goods and services they provided. He said that he was amazed at the generosities. According to Paula Jordan, about $26,000 was netted at the auction. All proceeds from the weekend's events go right back into Whitehall City Schools.
-
-


Domenik prepared the participants for a work out in the gym prior to a lunch break.
-
-


Domenik Hixon looked pretty comfortable behind the microphone. He shared with me on Saturday at the camp that he really had fun doing the radio interview in his hometown, even though John Matuszak wore a Cleveland Browns shirt.

Bexley Public Radio Dividend Note No. 7, July 6, 2009.

.
An occasional note on dividends. This is an informal collection of some information on dividend increases for U.S. stocks.

No commentary, analysis or recommendation is offered in this informal journal.


Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) June 15, 2009. The board of directors of Abbott, a health care company, reported on Friday a cash dividend of USD 0.40 per share on its common stock, which is the company's 342nd consecutive quarterly dividend. Abbot has now increased its dividends for 37 consecutive years.

The cash dividend is due on 15 August 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on 15 July 2009.

American Capital Agency Corp. (NASDAQ AGNC) June 23, 2009 boosted its second-quarter cash dividend by 76.5% to $1.50 per share from the $0.85/share it paid in the first quarter, when most companies in its sector have stopped paying or cut dividends.

The dividend is payable on July 27, with a record date of July 2 and ex-dividend date of June 30.

AGNC is a REIT or Real Estate Investment Trust formed in 2008 to invest exclusively in agency pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or a U.S. Government-sponsored entity.

Cardinal Health, (NYSE: CAH) June 8, 2009 which provides products and services to the healthcare sector in the United States, announced a 25% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.175/share. The dividend has increased over 11 times over the past decade. The company's focus on dividend expansion creates a predictable and disciplined use of cash to drive shareholder returns and signals confidence and strength in the cash generated by its businesses. The stock currently yields 2.30%.

Casey’s General Store (NASDAQ: CASY) June 19, 2009 has over 1,450 convenience stores (including franchises) in nine
midwestern states, selling food, beverage, health and automotive products. At its June meeting, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend 13.3% to $0.085/share. The dividend is payable August 17th, to shareholders of record on August 3rd. This marks the fourth consecutive year CASY has increased its dividend. At the new rate, the stock is yielding 1.3%.

Citizens Holding Company (NASDAQ: CIZN) June 2, 2009 announced today that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per share payable June 30, 2009, to shareholders of record as of June 15, 2009.

“I am proud today to announce our second quarter 2009 dividend of $0.20 per share,” said Greg L. McKee, President and Chief Executive Officer. “This dividend brings the year to date dividend to $0.40, an increase of 5.3% over the dividend paid in the first two quarters of 2008.”

Citizens Holding Company is a one-bank holding company and the parent company of The Citizens Bank of Philadelphia, both headquartered in Philadelphia, Mississippi. The Bank has twenty-three full service banking locations in ten counties in East Central Mississippi in addition to a Loan Production Office in Biloxi, Mississippi. In addition to full service commercial banking, the Company offers mortgage loans, title insurance services through its subsidiary, Title Services, LLC and a full range of Internet banking services including online banking, bill pay and cash management services for businesses.

The Clorox Company (NYSE: CLX), June 12, 2009 increased its dividend 9% to $0.50 per share.

C.R. Bard (NYSE: BCR) June 10, 2009 said late Wednesday its board had approved a quarterly dividend increase of 6%. The Murray Hill, N.J.-based company will now pay a quarterly dividend of 17 cents per share, up from its previous 16 cents. The dividend is payable July 31 to shareholders of record as of July 20. This increase marks the eighth consecutive year of dividend hikes for the company. Bard's dividend payout has doubled in the past 12 years.

Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) June 25, 2009 Increased its dividend to $0.25 quarterly with a current yield of 3.14%.

Darden operates in the full-service dining segment of the restaurant industry, primarily in the United States. the Company operated, through its subsidiaries, 1,702 restaurants in the United States and Canada. In the United States, , including 651 Red Lobster, 647 Olive Garden, 305 LongHorn Steakhouse, 32 The Capital Grille, 23 Bahama Breeze and seven Seasons 52 restaurants, and two specialty restaurants: Hemenway’s Seafood Grille & Oyster Bar and The Old Grist Mill Tavern. In Canada, Darden operated 35 restaurants, including 29 Red Lobster and six Olive Garden restaurants.

The dividend was raised yesterday from $0.20 to $0.25 quarterly putting the current yield at a very attractive 3.14%. This marked the seventh annual increase over the past eight years. Holders of record on July 10th will be paid the higher rate on August 3rd.

Del Monte (NYSE: DLM) June 19, 2009. Del Monte Foods announced a 25% dividend increase albeit from a small base. The Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend $0.05 per share, which is a $0.01 increase from the prior level of $0.04. The company maintains a leveraged balance sheet with debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97.

Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE: DUK) June 23, 2009 has increased its quarterly cash dividend by 4 percent to 24 cents per share from 23 cents per share. The dividend is payable Sept. 16 to shareholders of record on Aug. 14. “Despite challenging economic conditions, Duke Energy continues to successfully implement its business strategy,” says Chief Executive Jim Rogers. “We are pleased to share this success with our investors.”
This is the 83rd consecutive year that Charlotte-based Duke Energy has paid a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock.

Ecology and Environment, Inc. (NASDAQ: EEI) June 17, 2009. E & E reported an increase of $10.6 million in revenue during the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the third quarter of the prior year. The increase in revenue was attributable to increased work in the Company's energy, environmental restoration, and federal government sectors. "We strongly believe in sustainability throughout our organization and in our financials," said President and CEO, Kevin Neumaier. At the end of the quarter, the company had cash of $13.5 million with debt of only $.7 million and available lines of credit of $37.6 million. The Company's book value was $40.3 million or $9.86 per share. In April 2009, the Company declared a dividend of $.20 per share to shareholders of both Class A and Class B common stock, which represents the 47th consecutive dividend since the Company became public in 1987 and the 14th increase in 22 years.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE:FDS) (Nasdaq:FDS), June 16, 2009 a leading provider of integrated financial information and analytical applications to the global investment community, today announced its results for the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

For the quarter ended May 31, 2009, revenues increased to $154.4 million, up 5% compared to the prior year. Operating income for the third quarter rose to $53.3 million, an increase of 11% from $47.9 million in the same period of fiscal 2008. Operating margins advanced to 34.5%. Net income rose to $38.5 million as compared to $32.5 million a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.79 from $0.65 in the same period of fiscal 2008. Included in this quarter's EPS was an income tax benefit of $0.06 per share related to finalizing prior years' tax returns and repatriating foreign earnings to the U.S. The quarterly dividend increased 11% from $0.18 to $0.20 per share. Common shares outstanding at May 31, 2009 were 47.1 million. The Company repurchased 200,000 shares during the quarter and $134 million remains authorized for future repurchases.

The First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FNLC) June 18, 2009. The Board of Directors of The First Bancorp today declared a quarterly dividend of 19.5 cents per share. This second-quarter dividend, which is payable July 31, 2009, to shareholders of record as of July 6, 2009, represents an increase of 2.6% or 0.5 cent per share over the second-quarter dividend declared in 2008 of 19.0 cents per share and is equal to the 19.5 cents per share declared in the previous three quarters.

First Keystone Corporation (OTC BB: FKYS) June 4, 2009 parent company of First Keystone National Bank, declared a $.23 per share quarterly cash dividend to shareholders of record as of June 16, 2009, payable June 30, 2009. Total cash dividends per share will be $.46 as of June 30, 2009, up from $.44 paid in the first two quarters of 2008, an increase of 4.5%.

First Keystone National Bank, an independently owned community bank since 1864, presently operates 14 full service offices in Columbia (5), Luzerne (4), Montour (1) and Monroe (4) Counties providing banking and trust services. In Monroe County, the Bank trades as Pocono Community Bank, a division of First Keystone National Bank.
Inquiries regarding the purchase of the company’s stock may be made through the following brokers: RBC Dain Rauscher, 800-223-4207; Janney Montgomery Scott, Inc., 800-526-6397; Boenning & Scattergood, Inc., 800-883-8383; and Stifel Nicolaus & Co. Inc., 800-223-6807.

Franklin Resources (NYSE: BEN) June 16, 2009 announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share payable on July 10, 2009 to stockholders of record on June 30, 2009. The quarterly dividend of $0.21 is equivalent to the dividend paid for the prior quarter and represents a 5% increase over the quarterly dividend paid for the same quarter last year.

Franklin Resources, Inc. is a global investment management organization operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Franklin Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment management solutions managed by its Franklin, Templeton, Mutual Series, Fiduciary Trust, Darby and Bissett investment teams. The San Mateo, CA-based company has more than 60 years of investment experience and over $448 billion in assets under management as of May 31, 2009.

Hatteras Financial Corp. (NYSE: HTS) Jun 23, 2009. The Board of Directors of Hatteras Financial Corp. today declared a quarterly dividend of $1.10 per common share for the second quarter of 2009. The dividend will be paid on July 24, 2009, to stockholders of record on July 6, 2009, with an ex-dividend date of July 1, 2009.
"We are pleased to again announce an increase in our quarterly dividend," said Michael R. Hough, Chief Executive Officer of Hatteras. "Borrowing costs have continued to trend lower, which has directly contributed to a higher net interest margin than we earned in the first quarter. While prepayment rates have trended moderately higher quarter over quarter, they have remained on the low end of our estimates."

Hatteras Financial is a real estate investment trust formed in 2007 to invest in adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. Based in Winston-Salem, N.C., Hatteras is managed and advised by Atlantic Capital Advisors LLC. Hatteras is a component of the Russell 2000(R) and the Russell 3000(R) indices.

Isabella Bank Corp. (OTC pink sheets ISBA) May 31, 2009. Several members of the Isabella Bank Corp. Board of Directors were re-elected to new terms at the annual meeting of shareholders on May 5.

Shareholders re-elected David J. Maness, president of Maness Petroleum; W. Joseph Manifold, CPA and president of Federal Broach; William J. Strickler, president of Michiwest Energy; and Dennis P. Angner, president of Isabella Bank Corporation, to serve as members of the Board of Directors until the 2012 annual meeting of shareholders.

Additionally James C. Fabiano, chairman of Fabiano Brothers, was re-elected by the Board of the Directors to serve as chairman of the corporation.

Angner also announced that the corporation's Board of Directors at its May 21 meeting declared a second quarter cash dividend of 13 cents per share payable on June 30 to shareholders of record on June 1. The cash dividend represents an 8.3 percent increase over the dividend paid in the first quarter of 2009 and the second quarter of 2008 and reflects the corporation's continued strong financial performance.

Isabella Bank Corporation, with $1.65 billion of assets under management, is the parent company of Isabella Bank, which serves the central Michigan region with 24 branch locations.

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (NYSE: JWa & JWb), June 18, 2009 announced that the Board of Directors at their meeting today declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share on its Class A and Class B Common Stock, payable on July 14, 2009 to shareholders of record on July 6, 2009. This is the 16th consecutive annual dividend increase and represents an increase of 8% over the previous dividend of $0.13 per share.

Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for more than 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 350 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Peace.

Its core businesses publish scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional/trade books, subscription products, training materials, and online applications and Web sites; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia.

Lowe’s Cos (NYSE: LOW) announced a quarterly cash dividend increase of about 6%, from 8.5 cents per share to 9 cents per share, the new dividend will be paid on July 31 to July 17 before closing the register of shareholders in the distribution.

In addition, held Friday in the company’s annual shareholders meeting, shareholders also re-elected Peter C. Browning, Marshall O. Larsen, Stephen F. Page and O. Temple Sloan Jr as a director, two-year term. Shareholders rejected the company’s North Dakota re-registration, as well as separation of chairman and chief executive officer of the proposed posts.

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), June 18, 2009 which develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices worldwide, approved a 9% increase in its quarterly dividend to 20.50 cents per share. In addition to that the company also approved an increase in its Share Repurchase Plan, authorizing Medtronic to purchase an additional 60 million shares of its common stock, which represents 5.4% of the company’s outstanding stock issued. Medtronic, Inc. is a dividend champion, which has increased its quarterly dividend for thirty one consecutive years. The stock currently yields 2.20%.


Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) April 30, 2009 announced today that its Board of Directors has increased the company's quarterly dividend from $.32 per share to $.33 per share for an annual rate of $1.32 per share, compared to the previous annual rate of $1.28 per
share.

The dividend will be payable on July 15, 2009, to stockholders of record as of June 10, 2009. Oxy has raised the dividend every year since 2002. This increase is the company's eighth over the period, during which Oxy's dividend has risen 164 percent. The company has paid quarterly dividends continuously since 1975.

Oil-Dri (NYSE: ODC) June 9, 2009 The Board of Directors of Oil-Dri Corporation of America today declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.15 per share of the Company's Common Stock and $0.1125 per share of the Company's Class B Stock, a 7% increase for both classes of stock. The dividends will be payable on September 4, 2009, to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 21, 2009. The Company has paid cash dividends continuously since 1974.

Oil-Dri Corporation of America is a leading supplier of specialty sorbent products for industrial, automotive, agricultural, horticultural and specialty markets and the world's largest manufacturer of cat litter.

PetSmart (NASDAQ: PETM) Jnue 26, 2009 after an extensive analysis of expected free cash flows showed confidence in their our operating plan with a generous dividend increase and share repurchase plan.

PETM operates more than 1,100 pet stores in the U.S. and Canada, offering pet food, supplies and services. Tuesday the company PETM announced an increase its quarterly dividend of 233% to $0.10/share. In addition, its Board of Directors authorized a $350 million stock purchase plan. In a statement the company said it plans to continue to grow the business by opening about 40 stores per year for the foreseeable future. At the new rate, the stock is yielding 1.92%.

Piedmont Natural Gas (NYSE: PNY) For a second quarter in which Piedmont Natural Gas Co. Inc. increased its dividend for the 31st consecutive year, analysts expect the North Carolina-based utility to report a profit of $0.68 per share, which is two cents higher than a year ago. Revenue is expected to total $637.5 million, which is about the same as a year ago. Piedmont's results have tended to fall a bit short of analysts' estimates in recent quarters. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 7.0%, and the forward PE ratio estimate is 15.0, which is better than the industry average. The consensus recommendation remains to buy PNY. Shares are up 4.6% since the beginning of the year to $23.73, but they are still 13.6% lower than a year ago and still well below the 100-day moving average.

Prospect Capital Corporation
(NASDAQ: PSEC) June 23, 2009 announced today that it has
declared a fourth fiscal quarter (for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009)
dividend of $0.40625 per share.
This dividend marks the Company’s 19th consecutive quarterly increase. The
dividend now represents an approximately 17.9% current annualized dividend
yield based on the closing stock price on J

Realty Income (NYSE: O), June 22, 2009 engages in the acquisition and ownership of commercial retail real estate properties in the United States. The monthly cash dividend was increased to $0.142375 per share from $0.1420625 per share. This represents the 6th increase for the past year. Tom A. Lewis, Chief Executive Officer of Realty Income, commented, "We are pleased that, despite challenging economic conditions, our operations allow us to once again increase the amount of the dividend we pay to our shareholders. With the payment of the July dividend we will have made 468 consecutive monthly dividend payments."

Realty Income calls itself The Monthly Dividend Company(R), since it has declared 468 consecutive common stock monthly dividends throughout its 40-year operating history and increased the dividend 54 times since Realty Income's listing on the New York Stock Exchange in 1994. The monthly dividend is supported by the cash flow from over 2,300 retail properties owned under long-term lease agreements with leading regional and national retail chains. Check my analysis of Realty Income (O). This dividend achiever currently yields 7.70%.

Stewardship Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: SSFN) June 17, 2009 parent company of Atlantic Stewardship Bank, declared a $0.095 per share cash dividend. Common stockholders of record as of July 15, 2009 will be paid the dividend on August 3, 2009. This represents a 5.0 percent increase over the third quarter cash dividend paid in 2008, as adjusted for the 5 percent stock dividend paid in November 2008.

In announcing the dividend, Chairman William C. Hanse and President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Van Ostenbridge stated,
"We are pleased to show our continued strong commitment to our shareholders by recognizing them with our forty-seventh consecutive cash dividend. We understand the challenges in the current banking environment; however we remain optimistic about the Corporation's future performance."

Stewardship Financial Corporation's subsidiary, Atlantic Stewardship Bank, has banking offices in Midland Park, Hawthorne (2 offices), Montville, North Haledon, Ridgewood, Pequannock, Waldwick, Wayne (3 offices), Westwood and Wyckoff, New Jersey. Atlantic Stewardship Bank, opened in 1985, is a community bank serving individuals and businesses, and is well known for tithing 10 percent of its pre-tax profits to Christian and local charitable organizations.

Supervalu Inc. (NYSE: SVU) May 28, 2009 approved a 1.45% increase in the annual indicated dividend to $0.70 per share from last year’s level of $0.69 per share. With this announcement, Supervalu Inc. ontinues its strong dividend history, having paid dividends for over 70 years. The new quarterly dividend rate of $0.175 per share will be effective with the September dividend payment. The previously announced quarterly dividend, which is payable on June 15, 2009 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2009 will be paid at last year’s quarterly amount of $0.1725 per share.

 Supervalu Inc.’s board of directors today adopted a new annual share repurchase program authorizing the company to purchase up to $70 million of the company's common stock. Stock purchases will be made from time to time in open market purchases primarily from the cash generated from the settlement of stock options. The annual authorization program announced today replaces the existing $70 million share repurchase program authorized in May 2008 under which 641,500 shares were repurchased at a cost of $16.6 million.[SM]

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) June 12, 2009 announced a 6.25% increase in the company's quarterly dividend. The new quarterly dividend increases to 17 cents per share versus 16 cents per share in the same period a year ago. The projected dividend payout ratio is 24% based the January 2010 earnings per share estimate of $2.85. This compares to the 5-year average payout ratio of 13%. Lastly, Target carries an S&P Earnings & Dividend Quality Ranking of A+.

Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) declared a 3-for-2 split of its common stock, to be distributed on July 14 to holders of record on June 20. In lieu of fractional shares, cash will be paid. The company also approved a 50 percent increase in its quarterly cash dividend, so that its quarterly dividend will continue at the rate of 5 cents per share on all ”post-split” shares. The record date is Wednesday,
July 8, 2009. The payment date is Monday, July 20, 2009. Tiffany operates retail stores in New York, Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Boston, Chicago, Costa Mesa, Dallas and Houston.

Universal Health Realty Income Trust (NYSE: UHT) June 4. 2009 announced today that its Board of Trustees voted to increase the quarterly dividend by $.005 and pay a dividend of $.595 per share on June 30, 2009 to shareholders of record as of June 16, 2009. Universal Health Realty Income Trust, a real estate investment trust, invests in healthcare and human service related facilities including acute care hospitals, behavioral healthcare facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, sub-acute care facilities, surgery centers, childcare centers and medical office buildings. The Trust has forty-nine investments in fifteen states.

Village Super Market (NASDAQ: VLGEA) June 19, 2009. operates a chain of 23 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company’s Board increased its quarterly cash dividend 7.5% to $0.215/share. The dividend is payable on July 23, 2009 to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 2, 2009. VLGEA has increased its dividend six consecutive years since began paying dividends in 2003. At the new rate, the stock is yielding 2.9%.TGT,SVU,ssfn, O,PSECPNY, PETM,ODC, OXY, ISBEN,