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Agent of Currency

Radio features on Bexley Public Radio, WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM, Columbus, Ohio

Sharon Montgomery Reports: DWT Presentation to Gahanna City Council, September 7, 2010.

Gahanna city council and the city administration spent months discussing how to improve traffic safety in Gahanna, so I'm confident you all read the article in the Sunday Dispatch about the Centers for Disease Control report.

The Centers for Disease Control has again calculated the economic costs of traffic crashes and again found them to be both staggering and reduceable. This agency hopes the alarming costs will motivate state and local governments to take more legislative action, where motivation hasn't come from concern over the devastating impact on citizens' lives.

The CDC claims it wants the costs reduced by reducing the number of traffic crashes but some of its recommendations will not do that. Wearing seat belts in cars or helmets on motorcycles will certainly reduce injuries and deaths when crashes occur. Fewer deaths and less severe injuries are certainly goals we as a society must strive for. But, if we want to reduce the costs even further, we must do more to prevent those crashes from occurring in the first place.

Other CDC recommendations include red light cameras, drunk driving checkpoints, and graduated driver licensing, all of which actually will prevent crashes.

The reason I am here tonight to talk publicly about this new report is the fact that the CDC did not recommend laws to restrict drivers from using mobile communication devices while driving.

The CDC based this omission on a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety which supposedly shows that these phoning or texting bans are not reducing the number of crashes. The simple and obvious explanation for this conclusion is that no state or city has prohibited all use of these devices. A growing number of states and cities are prohibiting some of the ways the devices can be used by drivers. Some, like Gahanna, have comprehensive laws about giving full attention to driving. But, let me repeat: no one has yet said drivers cannot use these devices at all because of the high risk of serious consequences.

What has not been studied and is undoubtedly happening is that too many drivers where these partial bans are in effect are simply using the devices in ways not yet prohibited. If they can't text, they'll talk. If they can't talk on a hand-held device, they'll talk on a hands-free device. There is overwhelming scientific and anecdotal evidence that it is the conversation, not the manipulation of the device, that engages the brain in a way and to an extent that full attention to driving is not occurring.

A legitimate question at this point is why are other safety organizations pushing for these laws if they're not reducing crashes. The answer is that the partial laws are a necessary first step in raising awareness and changing the culture of acceptance, so eventually we can enact the laws we need.

Please understand that I am not here tonight to reopen our difference of opinion on how Gahanna should address the distracted driving problem. The city has discussed and decided on a course of action and is making the residents aware of that decision. Over time, citation and crash statistics and court records will show whether the City's decision is having the desired effect.

I am here tonight to be sure that everyone with the authority and responsibility for traffic safety has all the information they need about this new CDC report. Thank you for your time.

Sharon Montgomery.

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Design is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Sharon Montgomery.

Sep 7, 2010 11:47:00 AM (2 days ago)

Laura Franks Dividend Note No. 30 for Bexley Public Radio.

This is my Dividend Note No. 30 for Bexley Public Radio. These are twenty-two companies that have increased dividends during the final two weeks of August.

Three companies on the list have increased their dividends twice during the twelve month period. Two increases in a single year strikes me as unusual. Altria and Bob Evans Farms have recorded two dividend increases in less than a year. Shop Finance International also announced its second dividend increase in the year.

Getty Real Estate is seldom in the news but it is the largest owner of retail gas station property in the United States.

I’ve noted Northrim as an interesting company simply because the banking industry in Alaska doesn’t receive much attention in the news media. Northrim is an Alaska bank.

The companies listed in this report as raising dividends are:

Altria Group, Inc.
American Financial Group, Inc.
Badger Meter, Inc.
Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
Community Partners Bancorp
Diageo, plc
First Capital, Inc.
G and K Services, Inc.
Getty Realty Corporation
Golar LNG
Harris Corporation
Lancaster Colony Corporation
Lorrilard, Inc.
MGE Energy
Northrim Bancorp
Petrofac Limited
Ship Finance International Limited
Stage Stores, Inc.
Todd Shipyards Corporation
Trustco Bank Corp.
United Bankshares, Inc.
Westlake Chemical Corporation

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) August 27, 2010, Richmond, VA announced that its board of directors voted to increase the company's regular quarterly dividend by 8.6% to $0.38 per common share versus the previous rate of $0.35 per common share. The new annualized dividend rate is $1.52 per common share. The quarterly dividend is payable on October 12, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 13, 2010.
The increase reflects the company's intention to return a large amount of cash to shareholders in the form of dividends, and is consistent with the company's dividend payout ratio target of approximately 80% of its adjusted diluted earnings per share.
This is the second dividend increase in 2010, resulting in an overall quarterly dividend increase of 11.8% since the beginning of the year. In February 2010, Altria's quarterly dividend increased by 2.9% to $0.35 per common share versus the previous rate of $0.34 per common share.

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) (NASDAQ:AFG) August 19, 2010, Cincinnati, announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in the company's annual dividend from $0.55 to $0.65 per share of common stock. The increased dividend, when declared, will be paid on a quarterly basis of $0.1625 per share of common stock beginning in October 2010. The new dividend rate represents an 18% increase over the annual rate paid thus far in 2010. The company has increased its dividend in each of the last six years.

Craig Lindner and Carl Lindner III, AFG's Co-Chief Executive Officers, stated that, "We are pleased to increase the annual dividend paid to our shareholders by 10 cents per share. This increase clearly reflects our confidence in the Company's strong financial condition and liquidity, as well as its prospects for long-term growth."
American Financial Group is an insurance holding company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio with assets in excess of $30 billion. Through the operations of Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of traditional fixed, indexed and variable annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products. Great American Insurance Group's roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company.

Badger Meter, Inc. (NYSE: BMI) August 20, 2010 Milwaukee, WI announced a 16.7% increase in its quarterly common stock dividend to 14 cents per share from 12 cents per share. The increased dividend is payable September 15, 2010, to shareholders of record August 31, 2010. The new annual dividend rate for the common stock is 56 cents per share.

"This is our eighteenth consecutive year of increased dividend payments. The increase reflects our ongoing commitment to our shareholders and our continued confidence in the future of Badger Meter," said Richard A. Meeusen, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

Badger Meter is a manufacturer and marketer of products incorporating liquid flow measurement and control technologies, developed both internally and with other technology companies. The company also provides digital connectivity to AMR/AMI technologies. Its products are used to measure and control the flow of liquids in industrial applications.

Bob Evans Farms, Inc. (NASDAQ: BOBE) August 25, 2010, Columbus, OH, announced that its board of directors has approved an 11.1 percent increase in the quarterly cash dividend from 18 cents($0.18) per share to 20 cents($0.20) per share on the company's outstanding common stock. The increased dividend is payable on Sept. 21 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Sept. 7.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Steve Davis said the Company's recent debt pay down, dividend increase and share repurchases are indicative of the Company's efforts to utilize its strong balance sheet to build stockholder value. "Increasing our dividend at the same time that we are repurchasing shares demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our stockholders," Davis said.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company repurchased 170,000 shares for a total of $4.4 million and reduced its total debt by $8.9 million. The Company's board of directors has authorized share repurchases of up to $25 million for fiscal 2011, which ends April 29, 2011.

Bob Evans Farms, Inc. owns and operates full-service restaurants under the Bob Evans and Mimi's Cafe brand names. At the end of the first fiscal quarter (July 30, 2010), Bob Evans owned and operated 569 family restaurants in 18 states, primarily in the Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions of the United States, while Mimi's Cafe owned and operated 145 casual restaurants located in 24 states, primarily in California and other western states. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is also a producer and distributor of pork sausage and a variety of complementary homestyle convenience food items under the Bob Evans and Owens brand names.

Community Partners Bancorp (NASDAQ: CPBC) August 23, 2010, Middletown, NJ, the parent company of Two River Community Bank, announced that the board of directors approved a 5% stock dividend, representing a 66.7% increase over the prior year's stock dividend of 3%. The dividend will be payable on October 22, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 24, 2010. The dividend will increase the number of shares outstanding by approximately 361,571 shares.

William D. Moss, President and CEO of the Company, commented, "Maintaining solid capital ratios continues to be a focus for our organization, and our most recent operating results for the first half of 2010 are certainly within our expectations." Mr. Moss pointed out that this is the 5th consecutive year in which shareholders of the Company have received a dividend, reflective of the Board's commitment to a healthy dividend policy in response to the Corporation's ongoing success. "As always, our dividends are intended to reward the loyalty and confidence of our shareholders," Mr. Moss concluded.
Community Partners Bancorp is the holding company for Two River Community Bank, which is headquartered in Middletown, New Jersey. Two River Community Bank currently operates 15 branches throughout Monmouth and Union Counties.

Diageo plc (NYSE: DEO) HOUSTON, August 23, 2010, London, England, UK, directors recommend a final dividend of 23.50 pence per share, an increase of 6% from the year ended 30 June 2009. The full dividend would therefore be 38.10 pence per share, an increase of 5.5% from the year ended June 30, 2009. Subject to approval by shareholders, the final dividend will be paid on October 19, 2010 to shareholders on the register on September 10, 2010. Payment to US ADR holders will be made on October 25, 2010. A dividend reinvestment plan is available in respect of the final dividend and the plan notice date is September 27, 2010.

The directors recommend a final dividend of 23.50 pence per share, an increase of 6% from the year ended June 30, 2009. The full dividend would therefore be 38.10 pence per share, an increase of 5.5% from the year ended June 30, 2009. Subject to approval by shareholders, the final dividend will be paid on 1October 19, 2010 to shareholders on the register on September 10, 2010. Payment to US ADR holders will be made on October 25, 2010. A dividend reinvestment plan is available in respect of the final dividend and the plan notice date is 27 September 2010.

The directors recommend a final dividend of 23.50 pence per share, an increase of 6% from the year ended June 30, 2009. The full dividend would therefore be 38.10 pence per share, an increase of 5.5% from the year ended June 30, 2009. Subject to approval by shareholders, the final dividend will be paid on October 19, 2010 to shareholders on the register on September 10, 2010. Payment to US ADR holders will be made on October 25, 2010. A dividend reinvestment plan is available in respect of the final dividend and the plan notice date is September 27, 2010.

Diageo is engaged in the drinks business with many international brands. Diageo is a participant in the branded beverage alcohol industry and operates worldwide. Diageo produces and distributes a collection of branded premium spirits, beer and wine. The range of premium brands it produces and distributes includes Smirnoff vodka, Johnnie Walker scotch whisky, Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur, Captain Morgan rum, JeB scotch whisky, Tanqueray gin and Guinness stout. In addition it also has the distribution rights for the Jose Cuervo tequila brands in North America and many other markets. Diageo’s beer brands include the global stout brand, Guinness. Diageo operates in North America, Europe, International and Asia Pacific. In June 2010, the Company increased its ownership interest in London Group, the joint venture that owns NUVO, making Diageo the majority partner with a stake of approximately 70%.

First Capital, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCAP) August 19, 2010, Corydon, IN, has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.19 (nineteen cents) per share of common stock, according to William W. Harrod, President and Chief Executive Officer. This represents a one-cent increase over the dividend paid in the previous quarter. The dividend will be paid on September 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 16, 2010.
First Capital, Inc. is the holding company for First Harrison Bank. First Harrison currently operates thirteen full service offices in the Indiana communities of Corydon (2), Palmyra, New Salisbury, Georgetown, Hardinsburg, Greenville, New Albany (2), Floyds Knobs, Jeffersonville, Salem and Lanesville which provide deposit and lending services to customers in southeastern Indiana.

G and K Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: GKSR) August 23, 2010, Minneapolis, MN, announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.095 per share, an increase of approximately 27.0 percent from its previous quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share.

"The company continues to generate strong cash flow," said Jeffrey Wright, executive vice president and chief financial officer. "As such, we're pleased to announce an increase in our quarterly dividend for the fifth consecutive year. Our new game plan has improved our financial results and provides even greater confidence in our ability to continue returning capital to shareholders."

The company has paid a dividend for forty-one consecutive years since going public in 1969. Due to its strong financial condition and cash flow, the company continues to look at periodically increasing its dividend and other financial alternatives to return capital to shareholders, subject to future financial performance and capital requirements.

The next quarterly dividend will be payable on September 30, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 16, 2010.

G and K Services, Inc. provides branded identity apparel programs and facility services in the United States, and is the largest such provider in Canada. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, G&K Services employs nearly 7,500 employees serving approximately 165,000 customers from over 160 facilities in North America and Europe.

Getty Realty Corporation (NYSE: GTY) August 24, 2010, Jericho, NY, announced that the board of directors unanimously approved the declaration of a quarterly Common Stock dividend in the amount of $0.48 per share payable on Oct. 14, to holders of record on Sept. 30.

The company said this is an increase of one-half cent per share over the prior quarterly common stock dividend. This is the sixth consecutive year that Getty has increased its dividend.

Getty is the largest publicly traded real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership and leasing of service stations, convenience stores and petroleum distribution terminals in the United States. The company provides financing to the petroleum and convenience store industries for acquisitions, site upgrades and refinancing through our sale/leaseback and net lease financing programs. It owns or leases approximately 1,050 service station and convenience store properties and nine petroleum distribution terminals in twenty-one states.

The company was founded in 1955 with the ownership of one gasoline service station in New York City and historically operated as an integrated wholesale and retail marketer and owner of gasoline stations. As its business grew, the company combined real estate ownership, leasing and management with petroleum supply and distribution. The company’s initial public offering was in 1971 under the name Power Test Corp. In 1997, its petroleum marketing business was spun-off to shareholders as a separate NYSE listed company, Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc., which was acquired in 2000 by a subsidiary of OAO Lukoil, one of Russia's largest integrated oil companies.

The company leases approximately 78% of its properties to Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc. on a long-term net basis. The balance of the properties are leased to individual operators and petroleum distributors.

Golar LNG (NASDAQ: GLNG) August 27, 2010, Hamilton, Bermuda, reported a consolidated net loss of $5.7 million and consolidated operating income of $13.0 million.

The Golar board has decided to propose an increased cash dividend of $0.15 per share in respect of the second quarter of 2010. The record date for the dividend is September 9, 2010, ex-dividend date is September 6, 2010 and the dividend will be paid on or about September 27, 2010.

Following the commencement of the Golar Freeze charter during the second quarter, the Company's 5 vessels on long term charter are expected to generate yearly free cash flow after debt service of approximately $1.10 per share per annum from the third quarter of 2010. It is intended that the significant majority of this free cash flow will be distributed to shareholders and therefore the level of quarterly dividends is anticipated to increase in future quarters. The Board is targeting a normalised dividend of $0.25 per share in respect of the third quarter.

The board has also decided to propose a further Golar Energy stock dividend in respect of the second quarter. One Golar Energy share will be distributed for every 7 shares held in Golar. Dates and details for this dividend will be announced separately.

Golar LNG Limited (Golar) is the owner and operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and floating storage regasification units (FSRUs). As of March 31, 2010, Golar had a fleet of 13 vessels, 10 LNG carriers, three FSRUs and a 50% interest in a further LNG carrier. On June 22, 2009, the Company formed a wholly owned subsidiary, Golar LNG Energy Limited (Golar Energy). As of December 31, 2009, it owned 73.8% of Golar Energy. Golar Energy specializes in the acquisition, ownership, operation and chartering of FSRUs and the development of liquefaction projects. As of December 31, 2009, Golar Energy operated a fleet of eight LNG carriers and had a 50% interest in another LNG carrier. As of December 31, 2009, the Company leased eight LNG carriers under long-term financial leases; it owned three vessels, and had a 60% ownership interest in another LNG carrier, through a joint arrangement with the Chinese Petroleum Corporation. It has also chartered-in one vessel on a short-term charter.

Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), August 30, 2010, Melbourne, FL an international communications and information technology company, has increased the quarterly cash dividend to 25 cents per share, compared to the previous quarterly dividend of 22 cents per share. This dividend is payable September 17, 2010, to shareholders of record September 8, 2010. The annual dividend rate will increase from 88 cents per share to $1.00 per share.
"We are very pleased to announce this increase in our quarterly dividend," said Howard L. Lance, chairman, president, and chief executive officer. "Our track record of delivering strong earnings and cash flow from operations continued in fiscal 2010. New orders for the year were a record, providing positive momentum as we begin fiscal 2011. Our dividend continues to demonstrate the company's ongoing commitment to increasing shareholder value."
Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services.

ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) August 18, 2010, Novi, MI announced that its board of directors has approved a 4.7 percent increase in ITC's common dividend. This represents the fifth consecutive year that the board of directors has approved an increase in the common dividend.

On September 15, 2010, ITC will pay a quarterly cash dividend on ITC common stock at the increased rate of $0.335 per share to shareholders of record on September 1, 2010.

ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) invests in the electricity transmission grid to improve electric reliability, expand access to markets, lower the overall cost of delivered energy and allow new generating resources to interconnect to its transmission systems. The largest independent electricity transmission company in the country, ITC operates high-voltage transmission systems in Michigan's Lower Peninsula and portions of Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas, serving a combined peak load in excess of 25,000 megawatts through its regulated operating subsidiaries, ITCTransmission, Michigan Electric Transmission Company (METC), ITC Midwest and ITC Great Plains. ITC also focuses on new areas where significant transmission system improvements are needed through ITC Grid Development and its subsidiaries.

Lancaster Colony Corporation (NASDAQ: LANC) August 18, 2010, Columbus, OH announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 30 cents per share on the company's common stock, payable September 30, 2010 to shareholders of record on September 10, 2010. The board voted to continue the cash dividend at the higher level set nine months ago. At that time, Lancaster Colony became one of only 17 U.S. companies to have increased regular cash dividends each year for 47 years.

John B. Gerlach, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Lancaster Colony, said, "The dividend reflects the company's continued strong financial position and will be the 189th consecutive quarterly cash dividend paid by the company since September 1963." He noted that the indicated annual payout for the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2011 is $1.20 per share, up from the $1.18 1/2 per share paid in fiscal 2010. Common shares currently outstanding are approximately 28,083,000.

Lorillard, Inc. (NYSE: LO), August 20, 2010, Greensboro, NC the third largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States, announced today that its Board of Directors approved a 12.5% increase in the quarterly dividend on its common stock from $1.00 per share to $1.125 per share. The dividend is payable on September 10, 2010 to stockholders of record as of September 1, 2010.

The company's board of directors also approved a share repurchase program, authorizing the company to repurchase in the aggregate up to $1.0 billion of its outstanding common stock. Purchases by the company under this program may be made from time to time at prevailing market prices in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block purchase techniques or otherwise, as determined by the company's management. The purchases will be funded from existing cash balances.

This program does not obligate the company to acquire any particular amount of its common stock. The timing, frequency and amount of repurchase activity will depend on a variety of factors such as levels of cash generation from operations, cash requirements for investment in the company's business, current stock price, market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time and has no set expiration date.

Lorillard is the third largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States. Founded in 1760, Lorillard is the oldest continuously operating tobacco company in the U.S. Newport, Lorillard's flagship menthol-flavored premium cigarette brand, is the top selling menthol and second largest selling cigarette in the U.S. In addition to Newport, the Lorillard product line has five additional brand families marketed under the Kent, True, Maverick, Old Gold and Max brand names. These six brands include 41 different product offerings which vary in price, taste, flavor, length and packaging. Lorillard maintains its headquarters and manufactures all of its products in Greensboro, North Carolina.

MGE Energy (NASDAQ: MGEE) August 20, 2010 Madison, WI. The board of directors of MGE Energy, Inc. increased the regular quarterly dividend to $0.3751 per share on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable Sept. 15, 2010, to shareholders of record Sept. 1, 2010. With this increase, the new dividend is equivalent to an annual rate of $1.50 per share.
The company has increased its dividend annually for the past 35 years. MGE Energy is listed as a "Dividend Achiever" by Mergent, Inc., a financial information publisher for more than a century.
Only 7% of all dividend-paying companies meet the Mergent test of increasing dividends annually for at least 10 years.

Northrim Bancorp ((NASDAQ: NRIM) August 20, 2010, Anchorage, AK, announced its board of directors increased its regular quarterly cash dividend 20% to $0.12 per share on its common stock. The dividend is payable September 17, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business September 9, 2010. Northrim has paid a regular quarterly cash dividend since 1995. “We are happy to be able to raise our dividend to our shareholders this quarter” said Marc Langland, Northrim president and chief executive officer. “The increase in our dividend is a reflection of the strength of our operations and our capital.” At the stock price of $16.61 per share as of August 18, 2010, the current dividend equates to a yield of 2.9% on an annualized basis. On July 21, 2010, Northrim reported net income in the second quarter of 2010 increased 14% to $2.1 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, compared to $1.9 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, in both the first quarter of 2010 and the second quarter a year ago. For the first half of 2010, profits grew 5% to $4.0 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, from $3.8 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the first half of 2009. Northrim’s tangible common equity to tangible assets at quarter end was 10.53%, up from 10.23% a year earlier.

Petrofac Limited (LSE: PFC) August 23, 2010, London, England UK announced that its first-half net profit more than doubled to $331.9 million from $145.6 million a year earlier as revenue jumped 34% to $2.13 billion. CEO Ayman Asfari said the company has achieved an order intake of around $2 billion so far in 2010 and that Petrofac is confident it will be able to grow its backlog over the full year.

For the whole of 2010, the company said it expects comparable net profit, which excludes sold operations, to rise around 20%. Petrofac also increased its interim dividend by 29% to 13.80 cents a share.

Petrofac Limited is engaged in the provision of facilities solutions to the oil and gas production and processing industry. Petrofac Limited is the holding company for the international group of Petrofac subsidiaries. The Company has operates in four business segments: Engineering & Construction, Offshore Engineering & Operations, Engineering, Training Services and Production Solutions, and Energy Developments. On January 14, 2010, the Company acquired Scotvalve Services Limited, a United Kingdom-based company providing servicing and repair of oilfield pressure control equipment. In April 2010, it acquired Stephen Gillespie Consultants Ltd. In April 2010, the Company completed demerger of Petrofac Energy Developments Limited to EnQuest PLC (EnQuest). In April 2010, the Company acquired CO2DeepStore Limited. In June 2010, it purchased TNEI Services Limited through the acquisition of its holding company New Energy Industries Limited.

Ship Finance International Limited (NYSE: SFL) August 26, 2010, Hamilton, Bermuda announced its preliminary financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 and an increased quarterly dividend of $0.35.

The board of directors declared an increased quarterly dividend of $0.35 per share. This is the second dividend increase in 2010 and the Company has now paid dividends the last 26 consecutive quarters.
The company reported net income for the quarter was $43.6 million, or $0.55 per share. Accrued profit share in the second quarter was $11.4 million, or $0.14 per share. Total accrued profit share for the first half of 2010 is $22.7 million. The company has agreed to acquire three 57,000 dwt Supramax dry bulk carries for a total investment of $100.7 million. The vessels have been chartered to an Asia-based logistics company on long-term time charters at approximately $17,000 per day, adding approximately $160 million to our fixed-rate charter backlog.

Dividends and Results for the Quarter ended June 30, 2010. The board of directors has declared an increased quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share. The dividend will be paid on or about September 30, 2010 to
shareholders of record as of September 10, 2010. The ex-dividend date will be September 8, 2010.

The profit share accrued in the second quarter was $11.4 million, or $0.14 per share, compared to $11.3 million, or $0.14 per share in the first quarter of
2010. The accrued profit share in the quarter was on the back of strong revenues in the tanker sector in the second quarter.

Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) August 27, 2010, Houston, TX, announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per common share, $0.30 annualized. The dividend is a 50% increase over the previous rate of $0.05.  The dividend is payable on September 22, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 7, 2010. The ex-dividend date is September 3, 2010.  Yield on the dividend is 2.7%. 

Stage Stores, Inc. is a specialty department store retailer offering brand name and private label apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear. As of January 30, 2010, the Company operated 758 stores located in 39 states. The Company operates its stores under the five names of Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage. Its average store size is approximately 18,600 selling square feet and approximately 87% of the Company's stores are located in strip shopping centers. An additional 10% of the Company's stores are located in local or regional shopping malls, while the remaining 3% are located in either free standing or downtown buildings. During the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 (fiscal 2010), the Company closed nine stores.

Todd Shipyards Corporation (NYSE: TOD) August 23, 2010, Seattle, WA announced that its board of directors, at its August meeting, declared an increase in its dividend of two and one-half cents ($0.025) per share, bringing its quarterly dividend to ten cents ($0.10) per share. This dividend will be paid December 23, 2010, to all shareholders of record as of December 8, 2010. The Company's previously announced seven and one-half cent ($0.075) dividend payable on September 23, 2010, to all shareholders of record as of September 8, 2010, remains unchanged.

The company's wholly owned subsidiary, Todd Pacific, performs a substantial amount of repair and maintenance work on commercial and federal government vessels engaged in various seagoing trade activities in the Pacific Northwest and provides new construction and industrial fabrication services for a wide variety of customers. Its customers include the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA, the Washington State Ferry system, the Alaska Marine Highway System, and various other commercial and governmental customers. Todd has operated a shipyard in Seattle since 1916.

Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: TMK) August 12, 2010, McKinney, TX, announced that its board of directors has raised the quarterly dividend to $.16 per share on all of the outstanding common stock of the company held of record as of the close of business of the company's transfer agent on October 2, 2010. The dividend will be paid on November 1, 2010.

Torchmark Corporation is a holding company specializing in life and supplemental health insurance for "middle income" Americans marketed through multiple distribution channels including direct response, and exclusive and independent agencies. Torchmark has several nationally recognized insurance subsidiaries. Globe Life And Accident is a direct-response provider of life insurance known for its administrative efficiencies. American Income Life provides individual life insurance to labor union members. Liberty National Life is one of the oldest traditional life insurers in the Southeast. United American is a consumer-oriented provider of supplemental life and health insurance.

TrustCo Bank Corp NY (Nasdaq: TRST) August 17, 2010, Glenville, NY, announced that its board of directors increased the quarterly cash dividend by 5%. This amounts to a quarterly cash dividend of approximately $0.066 per share, or an annualized dividend of approximately $0.26 per share. The increased dividend will be payable October 1, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 3, 2010. TrustCo has paid a cash dividend every year since 1904.

Chairman, president and chief executive officer Robert J. McCormick noted, “We are very pleased to be able to provide our shareholders with an increased cash dividend, reflecting our improved earnings in recent quarters. The higher cash dividend will improve shareholder returns on their investment in TrustCo, regardless of the stock price. Our cash dividend continues a tradition that extends back over 100 years. Our solid execution of a sound, conservative business plan has enabled TrustCo to continue to report profitability levels that are in the upper tier of the banking industry, and produced a balance sheet that provides our customers with an extremely strong financial partner. We
recently reported solid second quarter earnings with continued progress in growing loans and deposits, the core of our future success. We are encouraged by the continuation of these positive trends.”

TrustCo recently announced that it ranked 11th on SNL Financial's annual ranking of the 100 largest U.S. thrifts for 2009. TrustCo has ranked in the top twenty on this study every year since 2005. The study rates thrifts based on six financial performance metrics including core return on average assets, core return on average equity, the compound annual growth rate in tangible book value per share, the efficiency ratio, nonperforming assets plus loans more than 90 days past due as a percentage of total assets and net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans. In addition, the ABA Banking Journal recently ranked TrustCo 13th on its list of top performing banks with at least $3 billion of
assets. TrustCo was one of only six banks of the top fifteen that repeated from the prior year.

TrustCo Bank Corp NY is a $3.8 billion bank holding company and through its subsidiary, Trustco Bank, operates 133 offices in New York, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Vermont.

United Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBSI) August 30, 2010, Charleston, WV, announced that its board of directors declared a third quarter dividend of $0.30 per share for shareholders of record as of September 10, 2010. This is a 3% increase over the $0.29 per share paid in the third quarter of 2009.

The dividend payout of approximately $13.1 million on 43.6 million shares is payable October 1, 2010. The annualized 2010 dividend of $1.20 equates to a yield of approximately 5% based on recent UBSI market prices. United has increased its dividend to shareholders for 36 consecutive years.

United Bankshares, with $7.5 billion in assets, has 113 full-service offices in West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.

Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE: WLK) August 23, 2010, Houston, TX declared a dividend of 6.35 cents per share, payable on September 16, 2010, to stockholders of record on September 1, 2010. This represents an increase of 0.6 cent per share, or 10%, over the 5.75 cents per share that the company has previously paid.
This is the 24th successive quarterly dividend that Westlake has declared since completing its initial public offering in August 2004.

Westlake Chemical Corporation is a manufacturer and supplier of petrochemicals, polymers and fabricated products with headquarters in Houston, Texas. The company's range of products includes: ethylene, polyethylene, styrene, propylene, caustic, VCM, PVC and PVC pipe, windows and fence.

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Sep 3, 2010 1:12:00 PM (5 days ago)

Laura Franks Dividend Note No. 29 for Bexley Public Radio.

This is my Dividend Note No. 29 as of August 17, 2010.

Even in unsettled financial times, increased dividends are a breath of fresh air.

These are fifty-three companies which increased their dividends during the last week of July and the first two weeks of August. Most are American companies. Companies that caught my eye as involved in interesting lines of business:

Toromont Industries Ltd. Is a large Caterpillar dealer in Canada.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers is pretty much what its name describes. It conducts large industrial auctions. By chance on a recent Sunday drive on I-70, west from Columbus and near Springfield, we saw one of the building locations for Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers.

Stella-Jones makes treated wood products in Canada.

Broadridge Financial Solutions has provided the technology proxy and other corporate communications for 90% of public companies

CAE, Inc. builds flight simulators.

Textainer Group Holdings, Ltd is the world’s largest supplier of intermodal containers

Euroseas Ltd. is the enterprise controlled by the Pittas family of Athens. The company has a fleet of sixteen ships dry bulk and containers. The company is 136 years old.

This is the list of companies reporting dividend increases.

Acme United
Aflac Incorporated
American Waterworks
Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc.
Autoliv Inc.
BCE
BreitBurn Energy BBEP
Broadridge Financial Solutions
Buckeye GP Holdings LP
CAE Inc.
Calian Technologies Ltd.
Carlisle Companies, Inc.
Chemed Corporation
Cincinnati Financial Corporation
CMS Energy Corporation
Computer Modeling Group Ltd.
Connecticut Water Service, Inc.
Delphi Financial Group, Inc.
Dover
Euroseas Ltd.
Exco Resources, Inc.
Federal Realty Investment Trust
Harleysville Group Inc.
Hawkins, Inc.
Helios High Yield Fund
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Knightsbridge
Lawson Products, Inc.
Leggett and Platt
Leon’s Furniture Inc.
Monsanto
Newalta Corporation
Nordson
Nustar GP Holdings
Omnicare, Inc.
Parker Hannifin Corporation
Questar Corporation
Quicksilver Gas Services LP
Republic Services
Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers
Safety Insurance Group, Inc.
Scotts Miracle-Gro
Span-America
Stella-Jones
Steris STE
Territorial Bancorp, Inc.
Textainer Group Holdings, Ltd
Torchmark Corporation
Toromont Industries Ltd
Tower Group, Inc.
T S and W/Claymore Tax-Advantaged Balanced Fund
W and T Offshore , Inc.
Yamana Gold

Acme United Corporation (AMEX: ACU) August 4, 2010, Fairfield, CT, declared a cash dividend of 6 cents per share on its outstanding common stock. This represents an increase of 20 percent over each of the previous eight quarterly dividends. The dividend is payable on October 21, 2010 to stockholders of record on the close of business on October 1, 2010.

Walter C. Johnsen, Chairman and CEO said, "I am pleased to announce the increased quarterly dividend. Our business continues to perform well and we expect to generate strong cash flow and solid earnings. Acme United has just completed its strongest quarter ever in earnings per share."

Acme United is a specialized supplier of cutting devices, measuring instruments, and safety products for school, home, industrial and office use. Its leading brands include Westcott(R), Clauss(R), Camillus(R), and PhysiciansCare (R).

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) August 10, 2010, Columbus, GA, announced that its board of directors approved a 7.1% increase in the quarterly cash dividend, effective with the fourth quarter payment. The fourth quarter dividend of $.30 per share is payable on December 1, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 17, 2010.

The company also announced its intent to resume share repurchase activities. Since first initiating a share repurchase program in 1994, the company has purchased 232.1 million shares. Aflac suspended its share repurchase program in the fourth quarter of 2008, following the onset of the financial crisis. At the end of June 2010, the company had 32.4 million shares available for repurchase under authorizations from the board of directors.

Commenting on the announcements, Aflac Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Amos stated: "I am very pleased with today's action by our board of directors to approve an increase in the cash dividend effective with the fourth quarter payment. This action is consistent with the expectations we have expressed throughout the last several quarters. Extending our lengthy track record of dividend increases is important to Aflac and to those who own a part of this company. This increase will mark the 28th consecutive year in which we have raised the dividend.

"I'm also pleased to announce the resumption of Aflac's share repurchase program. As we have frequently conveyed, our primary focus throughout 2009 and into this year has been on building capital. This conservative approach has resulted in Aflac's strong U.S. and Japanese capital adequacy ratios. Our strong capital position, combined with relative stability in global credit markets, gives us confidence to resume repurchasing our shares. Depending on market conditions, we may purchase up to three million shares as early as the fourth quarter of this year. We currently anticipate buying six to 12 million shares in 2011.

"Going forward, we will continue to prudently balance our objectives of maintaining strong capital ratios while growing earnings at a pace we believe our owners will find attractive. For 2010, we remain focused on increasing operating earnings per diluted share by approximately 10% before the effect of foreign currency. Our goal for 2011 of increasing operating earnings by 8% to 12% before the impact of foreign currency remains unchanged."

In the United States, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force. Aflac insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide.

American Waterworks Co., Inc. (NYSE: AWK) July 30, 2010, Voorhees, NJ, announced today that its board of directors increased its quarterly cash dividend payment by five percent from $0.21 to $0.22 per share.
The regular quarterly cash dividend is payable on September 1, 2010 to all shareholders of record as of August 18, 2010.
"We are pleased with the board's decision to increase our dividend as it reflects our solid financial performance to-date," said Don Correll, president and CEO of American Water. "This is our ninth consecutive declaration since going public in 2008."
This year, American Water also announced American Water Stock Direct, a dividend reinvestment and direct stock purchase plan, which enables stockholders to reinvest cash dividends and purchase additional American Water common shares without any brokerage commissions or service charges.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states and Ontario and Manitoba, Canada.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc. (NYSE: ARI) August 11, 2010, New York, NY, announced that its board of directors has increased the company's dividend to $0.40 per common share for the quarter ending September 30, 2010. The dividend is payable on October 12, 2010 to common shareholders of record on September 30, 2010. The Company's third quarter 2010 dividend represents an increase of 14% over the prior quarter and an annualized dividend yield of approximately 9.6%.

Apollo Commercial Real Estate Finance, Inc is a commercial real estate finance company that originates, invests in, acquiring and managing senior performing commercial real estate mortgage loans, commercial mortgage-backed securities, and other commercial real estate-related debt investments in the U.S. The Company is externally managed and advised by ACREFI Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, an indirect subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, LLC.

Autoliv Inc. (NYSE: ALV) August 17, 2010 Stockholm, Sweden announced an increase of the company's quarterly dividend to shareholders by 17% to 35 cents per share from 30 cents per share to be paid in September for the third quarter.

The fourth quarter dividend will be payable on Thursday, December 9, 2010 to Autoliv shareholders of record on the close of business on Thursday, November 4, 2010. The ex-date, when the shares will trade without the right to the dividend, will be Tuesday November 2.

Autoliv Inc. develops and manufactures automotive safety systems for all major automotive manufacturers in the world. Together with its joint ventures, Autoliv has 80 facilities with approximately 41,000 employees in 29 countries. In addition, the Company has ten technical centers in nine countries around the world, with 21 test tracks, more than any other automotive safety supplier. Sales in the last twelve months amount to $6.5 billion. The Company's shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ALV) and its Swedish Depository Receipts on the OMX Nordic Exchange in Stockholm (ALIV sdb).

BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE) August 5, 2010, Montreal, Canada, is Canada's largest communications company. It reported BCE and Bell results for the second quarter of 2010, and announced a 5% increase in its annual common share dividend  and improved financial guidance for 2010.

 BCE reported improved financial performance with net earnings applicable to common shares growing by 70.5% to $590 million. In addition, Bell had revenue growth of 4.5%, reflecting strong TV and wireless  revenue growth of 11.6% and 9.6%, respectively, and the inclusion of revenues from The Source and Virgin  Mobile Canada (Virgin); operating income growth of 30.6%; EBITDA growth of 3.3%; wireless gross subscriber activations of 480,639 and postpaid net activations of 102,754; and TV net activations of 9,775.

 These results demonstrate continued progress in the execution of Bell's 5 Strategic Imperatives - Improve Customer Service, Accelerate Wireless, Leverage Wireline Momentum, Invest in Broadband Networks and Services, and Achieve a Competitive Cost Structure.

"The 5% hike in our common share dividend also announced today - the second such increase this year - is supported by our improved earnings outlook and maintains BCE's payout ratio conservatively toward the low end of our policy range of 65% to 75% of increased Adjusted EPS guidance for 2010. The dividend increase will also be readily funded from our Free Cash Flow with no material impact on our projected cash balance for year-end 2010 of approximately $500 million," said Mr. Siim Vanaselja, chief financial officer.

BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. (NASDAQ: BBEP) July 30, 2010, Los Angeles, CA, announced a cash distribution of $0.3825 per unit for the second quarter 2010, or $1.53 per unit on an annualized basis, for all of its outstanding units. This distribution represents an increase from the first quarter distribution of $0.3750 per unit, or $1.50 per unit on an annualized basis. The distribution will be payable on August 13, 2010 to the record holders of common units at the close of business on August 9, 2010.

BreitBurn Energy Partners L.P. is a California-based publicly traded independent oil and gas limited partnership focused on the acquisition, exploitation, development and production of oil and gas properties. These producing and non-producing crude oil and natural gas reserves are located in Northern Michigan, the Los Angeles Basin in California, the Wind River and Big Horn Basins in central Wyoming, the Sunniland Trend in Florida, and the New Albany Shale in Indiana and Kentucky. See www.BreitBurn.com for more information.

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR) August 3, 2010, Lake Success, NY announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.15 per share. The dividend is payable on October 1, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2010. The annual dividend amount was increased from $0.56 per share to $0.60 per share, an approximate 7% increase, subject to the discretion of the board of directors.

Broadridge is a technology services company focused on global capital markets. Broadridge is the market leader enabling secure and accurate processing of information for communications and securities transactions among issuers, investors and financial intermediaries. Broadridge builds the infrastructure that underpins proxy services for over 90% of public companies and mutual funds in North America; processes more than $3 trillion in fixed-income and equity trades per day; and saves companies billions annually through its technology solutions.

Buckeye GP Holdings LP (NYSE: BGH) August 6, 2010, Houston, TX, reported net
income attributable to BGH for the second quarter of 2010 of $11.5 million, or $0.41 per common unit, compared to net income of $9.8 million, or $0.35 per common unit, for the second quarter of 2009. BGH recorded operating income of $71.9 million for the second quarter of 2010, compared to an operating loss of $35.4 million for the second quarter of 2009. The operating loss in the second quarter of 2009 was primarily the result of special charges of $100.6 million recorded by Buckeye Partners, L.P. (“Buckeye”) to recognize an asset impairment and expenses related to organizational restructuring.

BGH owns Buckeye GP LLC, which owns the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights associated with Buckeye, and reports its financial results on a consolidated basis inclusive of the financial results of Buckeye. BGH currently has no operating activities separate from those conducted by Buckeye, and its cash flow is derived solely from cash distributions received from Buckeye and Buckeye’s operating subsidiaries through its ownership of Buckeye GP LLC.

The board of directors of MainLine Management LLC, the general partner of BGH, declared a regular quarterly partnership cash distribution of $0.45 per common unit, or $1.80 per common unit on an annualized basis, payable on August 31, 2010 to unitholders of record on August 16, 2010. This cash distribution represents an increase in the quarterly distribution rate of 4.7 percent compared to the most recent cash distribution of $0.43 paid in May 2010 and an increase of 21.6 percent compared to the quarterly cash distribution of $0.37 paid with respect to the second quarter of 2009.

“Various factors, including acquisition growth in 2009, our best practices initiative, and positive market trends, have led to strong second quarter financial results at Buckeye that support another increase in the quarterly cash distributions payable to the unitholders of BGH,” said Forrest E. Wylie, Chairman and CEO of BGH’s general partner. “As we see signs of improving economic conditions, we remain optimistic that the underlying cash flow from Buckeye will continue to support growth in cash flow to BGH.”

Buckeye GP Holdings L.P. is a limited partnership that owns Buckeye GP LLC, the general partner of Buckeye Partners, L.P., which owns 100 percent of the incentive distribution rights in Buckeye Partners, L.P. Buckeye GP Holdings L.P. also indirectly owns the general partner interests in certain operating subsidiaries of Buckeye Partners, L.P.

CAE Inc. (NYSE: CAE; TSX: CAE) August 11, 2010, Saint-Laurent, Quebec, Canada, reported financial results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2010. Net earnings were C$39.4 million (C$0.15 per share), compared to C$27.2 million (C$0.11 per share) in the first quarter of last year, which included an after-tax restructuring charge of C$18.9 million (C$0.07 per share). Revenue was C$366.7 million, 4% lower compared to C$383.0 million in the first quarter last year. All financial information is in Canadian dollars.

“We are in the early stages of a market recovery and I am encouraged that in our first quarter we saw higher demand for civil training,” said Marc Parent, CAE’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are well positioned to benefit from the civil market recovery. We are also tracking toward another year of good order intake in our combined Military segments, anticipating 10-12% revenue growth.”

Mr. Parent added, “We have been able to maintain good margins in difficult market conditions. Based on our confidence in CAE’s business model and prospects, the Board of Directors has increased the quarterly dividend from $0.03 to $0.04 which will be paid on September 30, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2010.”

CAE Inc. is provides simulation and modeling technologies and integrated training services primarily to the civil aviation industry and defense forces worldwide. The company designs, develops, manufactures and supplies simulation tools and equipment and provides a range of training and other modeling and simulation-based services. This includes integrated modeling, simulation and training solutions for commercial airlines, business aircraft operators, aircraft manufacturers and military organizations. It also operates a global network of training centers serving pilots and maintenance staff. Its main products include full-flight simulators (FFSs), which replicate aircraft performance in an array of situations and environmental conditions. Visual systems simulate hundreds of airports around the world, as well as a range of landing areas and flying environments.

Calian Technologies Ltd. (TSE: CTY) August 8, 2010, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, announced an increase to its quarterly dividend and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.22 per share. The dividend is payable September 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of August 18, 2010. Dividends paid by the Corporation are considered "eligible dividend" for tax purposes.

Calian sells technology services to industry and government in Canada and around the world. Calian provides customers with ready access to an exceptional team of engineers, telecommunications and technology professionals, health care professionals and other highly qualified staff. The Business and Technology Services Division augments customer workforces with flexible short and long-term placements, recruitment and outsourcing of engineering, health care professionals and other skilled professionals. The Systems Engineering Division plans, designs and implements solutions for many of the world's space agencies and leading communications satellite manufacturers and operators, as well as providing contract manufacturing services for customers in North America.

Carlisle Companies, Inc. (NYSE: CSL) August 6, 2010, Charlotte, NC, declared a 6.3% increase in the Company’s regular quarterly dividend, to $0.17 per share from $0.16 per share. The dividend is payable on September 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 17, 2010.

This marks the 34th consecutive year of dividend increases for Carlisle shareholders.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer David A. Roberts commented, “We are very proud to be able to continue Carlisle’s long history of rewarding Carlisle’s shareholders by increasing our dividend.”

Carlisle is a diversified global manufacturing company serving the construction materials, commercial roofing, specialty tire and wheel, power transmission, heavy-duty brake and friction, heavy-haul truck trailer, refrigerated truck body, foodservice, aerospace, and test and measurement industries.

Chemed Corporation (NYSE: CHE) August 6, 2010, Cincinnati, OH, announced that the board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 14 cents per share on the company's capital stock, payable on Sept. 7 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 16.

The company said this is a 2-cent, or 16.7 percent, increase over the 12-cent dividend paid in the second quarter of 2010. The previous dividend increase was in August 2009, when the Board raised the dividend from 6-cents to 12-cents per share.

This represents the 157th consecutive quarterly dividend paid by Chemed in its 39 years as a public company.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Chemed operates two subsidiaries: Vitas Healthcare and Roto-Rooter. Vitas is a provider of end-of-life hospice care, and Roto-Rooter is a provider of plumbing and drain cleaning services.

Cincinnati Financial Corporation, (NASDAQ: CINF) August 16, 2010, Fairfield, OH, announced that the board of directors voted at its regular meeting on August 13, 2010, to increase the regular quarterly cash dividend from 39.5 cents to 40 cents per share, payable October 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of September 22, 2010.
At the new level, the indicated annual dividend is $1.60 per share. In 2009, cash dividends paid were $1.565 per share and dividends declared were $1.57 per share.

Kenneth W. Stecher, president and chief executive officer, commented, "The company has consistently increased dividends for 49 years, and the board of directors chose to continue that record for the benefit of our shareholders. This action demonstrates their confidence in our strong capital, liquidity and in our initiatives to improve earnings performance. Our capital management philosophy continues to consider the balance between future capital requirements to grow our business and returning capital to shareholders over time.

"In the first half of 2010, our profits were pressured by continuing price competition in the insurance marketplace and high catastrophe losses incurred by our policyholders. Year-to-date, shareholders have received cash dividends totaling more than our current earnings, and for their benefit, we also repurchased $10 million of our own shares. We believe our performance prospects are improving as we begin to realize benefits from our current growth and profitability initiatives. Our long-term perspective drives our long-term commitment through all market and economic cycles to create value for shareholders by investing in and expanding our insurance operations."

Cincinnati Financial Corporation offers business, home and auto insurance, its main business, through The Cincinnati Insurance Company and its two standard market property casualty companies. The same local independent insurance agencies that market those policies may offer products of our other subsidiaries, including life and disability income insurance, annuities and surplus lines property and casualty insurance.

CMS Energy Corporation (NYSE: CMS) August 6, 2010, Jackson, MI, CMS Energy announced today, that effective with the dividend payable Nov. 30, it will increase its quarterly common stock dividend to 21 cents per share, up from 15 cents per share. This increase moves up the company's typical practice of raising its dividend in January, and was made at this time to coincide with an adjustment to its five-year plan.

The company plans to reduce its investments by about $1 billion over the next five years, which will moderate future rate increases to its customers. The company still expects to invest more than $6 billion over the next five years in the operations of its Michigan electric and natural gas utility, Consumers Energy, and it remains one of the largest investors in the state of Michigan.

Consistent with the change in its capital investment plan, CMS Energy also said it is adjusting its projection for long-term earnings per share growth to 5 percent to 7 percent annually from the previous range of 6 percent to 8 percent per year.
John Russell, the president and chief executive officer of CMS Energy, said the increases in the quarterly dividend will bring the company's dividend more in line with the industry and reflects the confidence that the company has in its "Growing Forward" strategy.

"Despite reducing capital expenditures, the company will continue to invest heavily in Michigan to maintain and improve service to customers," Russell said. "Along with investments to improve customer service, we'll continue making substantial investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and environmental quality programs. We plan to remain Michigan's leader in the development of clean, renewable energy."

CMS Energy is a Michigan-based company that has an electric and natural gas utility, Consumers Energy, as its primary business and also owns and operates independent power generation businesses.

Computer Modeling Group Ltd. (TSX: CMG) August 10, 2010, Calgary, Alberta, Canada announced a 6% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.19 per share on CMG’s Common Shares. The dividend will be paid on September 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 3, 2010. Computer Modelling Group Ltd. is a computer software technology and consulting company serving the oil and gas industry. CMG, recognized by oil and gas companies worldwide as a leading developer of reservoir modelling software, has sales and technical support services based in Calgary, Houston, London, Caracas and Dubai. CMG is the leading supplier of advanced processes reservoir modelling software in the world with a blue chip client base of international oil companies and technology centers in approximately 50 countries. All dividends paid by Computer Modelling Group Ltd. to holders of Common Shares and Non-Voting Shares in the capital of Computer Modelling Group Ltd. will be treated as eligible dividends within the meaning of such term in section 89(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), unless otherwise indicated.

Connecticut Water Service, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTWS) August 12, 2010, Clinton, CT, announced that the board of directors approved an annualized dividend increase of two cents per common share, or 2.2%, above the current cash dividend. The quarterly cash dividend on common shares was increased to $0.2325 per quarter from $0.2275. The increased dividend will be effective with the dividend declared by the Board on common shares payable on September 15, 2010, for shareholders of record as of September 1, 2010. The Company’s annual dividend yield is about 4.3%.

Eric W. Thornburg, Connecticut Water’s President and CEO, stated, “Connecticut Water’s Board of Directors decided that a two cent increase in the annual dividend rate was appropriate because the Company’s fundamentals remain strong. We remain focused on our long-term strategy of delivering solid performance for our shareholders and world class service to our customers.” Mr. Thornburg notes that Connecticut Water has paid dividends on common stock each quarter since its founding in 1956 without interruption or reduction and has increased dividend payments for each of the last 41 years.

Connecticut Water’s board of directors also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share on Preferred A shares (not publicly traded) payable on October 15, 2010, for shareholders of record as of October 1, 2010, and a quarterly cash dividend of $0.225 on Preferred 90 (OTCBB: CTWSP) shares on November 1, 2010, for shareholders of record as of October 18, 2010.

Delphi Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: DFG) August 5, 2010, Wilmington, DE, announced a cash dividend of $0.11 per share for the third quarter, 2010. This is a ten percent increase in the dividend compared to the dividend paid in the prior quarter. Robert Rosenkranz, chairman and chief executive officer, said “This dividend increase reflects our confidence in our capital position ad in our earnings outlook.”

Delphi Financial Group is an integrated employee benefit services company. Delphi is manages all aspects of an employee absence from work for health reasons.

Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) August 5, 2010, Downers Grove, IL, increased its quarterly cash dividend to $0.275 (twenty-seven and one half cents) per share, from the previous $0.26 (twenty-six cents) per share, an increase of 6%. This is the 55th consecutive year in which Dover has paid an increased cash dividend.

This increased dividend will be paid on September 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of August 31, 2010.

Dover Corporation is a global portfolio of manufacturing companies providing innovative components and equipment, specialty systems and support services for a variety of applications in the industrial products, engineered systems, fluid management and electronic technologies markets.

Euroseas Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESEA) August 3, 2010 Maroussi, Athens, Greece - August 3, 2010, an owner and operator of dry bulk carriers and container vessels and provider of seaborne transportation for dry bulk and containerized cargoes, announced today that the company's board of directors has declared a dividend of $0.06 per common share for the second quarter of 2010. The dividend is payable on September 03, 2010 to all shareholders of record as of August 25, 2010. This is the 20th consecutive quarterly dividend since the company accessed the capital markets in August 2005 and signifies an increase of 20% over the last quarter's dividend.

Furthermore, the company announced today that it will release its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010, on Tuesday, August 10, 2010, after the market closes in New York. The following day, Wednesday, August 11, 2010, at 10:00 am EDT, the Company's management will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results.

Aristides Pittas, Chief Executive Officer of Euroseas, stated, "We have been one of the very few companies able to continue paying dividends during the biggest shipping crisis since the early eighties. This, despite the fact that the crisis for containerships, which comprise the biggest part of our fleet, has been much deeper and longer than for drybulk vessels. We are now increasing our dividend as we are gaining confidence that the apparent recovery and normalisation of the container market will assist our company to return to profitability by 2011. Our strategy of growing the company with investments in both the drybulk and container markets as opportunities arise whilst rewarding our shareholders with significant dividends remains unaltered."

Euroseas Ltd. was formed on May 5, 2005 under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to consolidate the ship owning interests of the Pittas family of Athens, Greece, which has been in the shipping business over the past 136 years.

Euroseas operates in the dry cargo, drybulk and container shipping markets. Euroseas' operations are managed by Eurobulk Ltd., an ISO 9001:2000 certified affiliated ship management company, which is responsible for the day-to-day commercial and technical management and operations of the vessels. Euroseas employs its vessels on spot and period charters and through pool arrangements.

The company has a fleet of 16 vessels, including 4 Panamax drybulk carriers and 1 Handymax drybulk carrier, 3 Intermediate containership, 5 Handysize containerships, 2 Feeder containerships and a multipurpose dry cargo vessel. Euroseas` 5 drybulk carriers have a total cargo capacity of 331,808 dwt, its 9 containerships have a cargo capacity of 17,787 teu and its multipurpose vessel has a cargo capacity of 22,568 dwt or 950 teu.

Exco Resources, Inc. (NYSE: XCO) August 5, 2010, Dallas, TX, announced that its board of directors declared a third quarter cash dividend of $0.04 per share, a $0.01 per share (33%) increase from the previous quarterly rate of $0.03 per share. The dividend is payable on September 15, 2010 to holders of record on August 31, 2010.

Any future declaration of dividends, as well as the establishment of record and payment dates, is subject to the approval of EXCO's Board of Directors.
EXCO Resources, Inc. is an oil and natural gas exploration, exploitation, development and production company headquartered in Dallas, Texas with principal operations in East Texas, North Louisiana, Appalachia and West Texas.

Federal Realty Investment Trust (NYSE: FRT) August 4, 2010, Rockville, MD, announced that its board of trustees increased the dividend rate on its common shares, declaring a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.67 per share, resulting in an indicated annual rate of $2.68 per share, an increase of 1.5%. The regular common dividend will be payable on October 15, 2010, to common shareholders of record as of September 23, 2010. This increase represents the 43rd consecutive year that Federal Realty has increased its common dividend, the longest record of consecutive annual dividend increases in the REIT sector.

"Our strong performance throughout 2009 and to date in 2010 supports our decision to raise our common dividend and continue our record of dividend achievement," said Don Wood, president and chief executive officer. "Owning and operating a portfolio of high quality retail assets, combined with a solid balance sheet and our disciplined approach to external growth has resulted in consistent performance as we negotiate this difficult economic environment."

Federal Realty Investment Trust is an equity real estate investment trust specializing in the ownership, management and redevelopment of high quality retail assets. Federal Realty's portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) contains approximately 18.2 million square feet located primarily in strategically selected metropolitan markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and California. In addition, the Trust has an ownership interest in approximately 1.0 million square feet of retail space through a joint venture in which the Trust has a 30% interest. Our operating portfolio (excluding joint venture properties) was 94.2% leased to national, regional, and local retailers as of June 30, 2010, with no single tenant accounting for more than approximately 2.7% of annualized base rent. Federal Realty has paid quarterly dividends to its shareholders continuously since its founding in 1962, and has increased its dividend rate for 43 consecutive years, the longest record in the REIT industry.

Harleysville Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HGIC) August 6, 2010, Harleysville, PA, board of directors increased the company’s regular quarterly cash dividend by 11 percent to
$0.36 per share from $0.325 per share, or to an annualized $1.44 per share from $1.30 per share. The dividend is payable September 30, 2010, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2010. This marks the 97th consecutive quarter Harleysville Group has paid a dividend since the company went public in 1986.

At the same time, the board today authorized the company to repurchase up to an additional 800,000 shares, or approximately $25 million or about 3 percent, of its outstanding common stock through an open market purchase program.

“These actions reflect our strong balance sheet and our ongoing commitment to managing our capital position effectively for the benefit of our investors,” said Michael L. Browne, Harleysville Group’s president and chief executive officer. “This new stock repurchase program is our sixth since June 2007. We just completed our most recent stock buyback program and when this new one has concluded we will have repurchased approximately 22 percent of our outstanding shares since the middle of 2007. And, we’re proud of the fact that in our 24 years as a public company we’ve paid our shareholders a dividend every quarter and our dividend has increased every year.”

The board authorized Harleysville Group to make purchases for a two-year period in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. Additionally, the board authorized Harleysville Group to make purchases under the terms of a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which allows the company to purchase its shares at times when it ordinarily would not be in the market because of self- imposed trading blackout periods, such as the time preceding its quarterly earnings releases. The company currently intends to repurchase shares in open market transactions from the public float, and not repurchase shares from Harleysville Mutual Insurance Company, which owns 53 percent of Harleysville Group’s stock. The timing and terms will be based on market conditions, and will be conducted in accordance with the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Harleysville Insurance is a leading super-regional provider of insurance products and services for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for individuals, and ranks among the top 70 U.S. property/casualty insurance groups based on net written premiums. As a Trusted Choice® company partner, Harleysville distributes its products exclusively through a network of independent agents primarily across 32 states.

Hawkins, Inc. (NASDAQ: HWKN) July 28, 2010, Minneapolis, MN, announced its regular semi- annual dividend and a special dividend.

The board of directors of Hawkins, Inc. has authorized a regular semi-annual cash dividend of $0.30 per share. In addition, due to the company’s strong cash position driven by its financial performance in fiscal 2010, the board of directors has authorized a special dividend of $0.10 per share to be paid concurrently with the regular dividend.

The dividends, totaling $0.40 per share, are payable October 8, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 24, 2010. This is the 26th consecutive year that Hawkins has paid cash dividends since it first began paying out dividends in 1985.

Hawkins, Inc. distributes, blends and manufactures bulk and specialty chemicals for its customers in a wide variety of industries. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and with 20 facilities in 11 states, the Company creates value for its customers through superb customer service and support, quality products and personalized applications.

Helios High Yield Fund (NYSE: HHY) August 6, 2010, New York, NY, announced that its board of trustees raised the monthly dividend to $0.065 from $0.060 per share, payable on August 26, 2010 to stockholders of record on August 20, 2010. Based on the NYSE closing price of $8.97 on August 5, 2010, the fund's annualized dividend yield is 8.70%.
Dividends may include net investment income, capital gains and/or return of capital. The dividend yield referenced above is calculated as the annualized amount of the most recent monthly dividend declared divided by the stated stock price.
Based on the fund's monthly income and the recent addition of leverage, the board of trustees, at the advice of the portfolio management team, raised the dividend as it better reflects the current earnings of the Fund.

Helios High Yield Fund is managed by Brookfield Investment Management Inc., an SEC-registered investment advisor specializing in core fixed income, high yield, structured products (Commercial MBS, Residential MBS and ABS) as well as global REITs and listed infrastructure securities. Headquartered in New York, the firm had approximately $23 billion of assets under management(i) as of June 30, 2010. Brookfield Investment Management Inc. is a subsidiary of Brookfield Asset Management Inc., a global asset manager focused on property, power and other infrastructure assets with approximately $100 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2010.

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) August 6, 2010, Glenview, IL, board of directors of Illinois Tool Works Inc. declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 34 cents per share or $1.36 per share on an annual basis. As a result of the company’s strong free operating cash flow, the quarterly increase of 3 cents per share—12 cents per share annually—represents a 10 percent increase over the current dividend rate.

The newly-increased dividend will be paid on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 to stockholders of record on Thursday, September 30, 2010.

With $13.9 billion in 2009 revenues, ITW is a multi-national manufacturer of a diversified range of value-adding and short-lead time industrial products and equipment. The Company consists of nearly 800 business units in 57 countries and employs approximately 59,000 people.

Knightsbridge Tankers Limited (NASDAQ: VLCCF) August 11, 2010, Hamilton, Bermuda Based on the second quarter results and its profitable forward contract coverage, Knightsbridge is pleased to announce an increase in dividend from the previous quarter and has decided to declare a dividend of $0.50 per share. This is an increase from the first quarter 2010 cash dividend of $0.40 per share.

In June 2010, the company acquired the Capesize vessel "Golden Future" from Golden Ocean Group Limited ("Golden Ocean") for a purchase price of $72 million. The Golden Future was built at the Zhoushan Jinhaiwan Shipyard Co., Ltd. and completed in February 2010. The vessel is employed on a time charter with a minimum term of 35 months from February 2010 at a gross rate of $31,500 per day. The vessel was delivered to Knightsbridge in July 2010. Knightsbridge paid $25 million of the purchase price of the Golden Future by issuing to Golden Ocean 1,464,515 restricted common shares. The Company has arranged bank debt of $47 million to finance the remaining portion of the purchase price.  The Golden Future will be the third Cape-size vessel in the Knightsbridge fleet, and Golden Ocean is acting as the commercial manager for all the three vessels. Following the above the Company's three Cape-size vessels are on time charters expiring between 2013 and 2014 with an average time charter rate of approximately $41,400/day. In July 2010, the Company secured a long term debt facility of $58 million for its VLCC fleet in order to refinance existing debt, which was due in February 2011.  The Company's VLCC fleet is fixed on time and bareboat charters expiring between 2011 and 2012, except for the VLCC M/T Mayfair which is trading in the spot market.

Lawson Products, Inc. (NASDAQ: LAWS) August 17, 2010, Des Plainse, IL, announced a dividend of $.08 per share on common shares, an increase of $.02 from the previous quarter. The dividend is payable October 12, 2010 to stockholders of record on September 28, 2010.

Lawson Products is a North American distributor and marketer of systems, services and products to the industrial, commercial, institutional, and governmental maintenance repair and operations (MRO) marketplace. The company also manufactures, sells and distributes production and specialized component parts to the original equipment marketplace (OEM) including the automotive, appliance, aerospace, construction, and transportation industries. The majority of its sales are generated through a network of approximately 1,500 independent sales agents. The Company operates in two segments: MRO Segment and OEM Segment. The Company offers approximately 240,000 different products for sale of which approximately 180,000 products are maintained in inventory. Substantially all of its products are manufactured by others, purchased in bulk and repackaged in smaller quantities for sale to its customers.

Leggett and Platt (NYSE: LEG) August 4, 2010, Carthage, MO, Leggett & Platt's board of directors announced today that they are raising the company's quarterly dividend by one cent per share, or 3.8%, to $.27 per share for the third quarter. The dividend will be paid on October 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on September 15, 2010.
At an annual indicated dividend of $1.08 per share, the yield is 5.2%, based upon yesterday's closing stock price of $20.88 per share.
Leggett & Platt is a diversified manufacturer that conceives, designs and produces a broad variety of engineered components and products that can be found in most homes, offices, and automobiles. The 127-year-old firm is comprised of 19 business units, 20,000 employees, and more than 140 manufacturing facilities located in 18 countries.
Leggett & Platt is the leading independent U.S. manufacturer of: a) components for residential furniture and bedding; b) components for office furniture; c) drawn steel wire; d) automotive seat support and lumbar systems; e) carpet underlay; f) power foundations; and g) bedding industry machinery.

Leon’s Furniture Inc. (TSE: LNF) August 17, 2010 Weston, Canada, directors declared an increase in the quarterly dividend from 7 cents per common share to 9 cents per common share payable on the 8th day of October 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on the 8th day of September 2010. As of 2007, dividends paid by Leon's Furniture Limited are "eligible dividends" pursuant to the changes to the Income Tax Act under Bill C-28, Canada.

For the three months ended June 30, 2010, total Leon's reported sales were $212,277,000 including $45,493,000 of franchise sales ($209,931,000 including $44,693,000 of franchise sales in 2009), an increase of 1.1%. Net income was $11,873,000, 17 cents per common share ($8,620,000, 12 cents per common share in 2009), an increase of 41.7% per common share.

For the six months ended June 30, 2010, total Leon's sales were $413,396,000 including $87,821,000 of franchise sales ($405,131,000 including $87,368,000 of franchise sales in 2009), an increase of 2.0% and net income was $23,843,000, 34 cents per common share ($17,191,000, 24 cents per common share in 2009), an increase of 41.7% per common share.

For the second quarter of 2010, the company reported higher sales and a significant improvement in profits when compared to the second quarter of 2009. Higher sales reflect a general improvement in the economy. The profit improvement was mainly the result of three key factors: higher sales compared to the prior year's quarter; an improvement in our gross margin which was aided by the strengthening of the Canadian dollar along with a more favourable product mix; and the continuation of improved productivity and expense controls that were initiated in the prior year.

"Although we are satisfied with the results year to date, believe that we must remain vigilant for the balance of 2010 in order to continue to improve the performance of our Company. Pursuant to our robust expansion plans announced last quarter, construction is well on its way on a new 73,000 sq. ft. facility in Thunder Bay, Ontario which we plan to open before the end of this year. We will soon begin construction on a new 84,000 sq. ft. building in Regina, Saskatchewan that we plan to open by the spring of 2011. In addition, we have signed leases for a 76,000 sq. ft. store in Guelph, Ontario and a 46,700 sq. ft. store in Rosemère, Quebec. We anticipate the opening of these showrooms, which will be completely renovated, by the summer of 2011. We also plan major renovations and additions to be complete by the end of the year at our Sault St. Marie and Sudbury stores. Finally, we have just recently signed two new franchises; Collingwood and Fort Frances, Ontario with anticipated grand openings this fall.

The directors have also approved, subject to obtaining regulatory approvals, the continuation of the company's ongoing Normal Course Issuer Bid, which expires on September 9, 2010. Pursuant to the continued bid, the company intends, in the twelve months commencing September 10, 2010, to purchase up to the lesser of 4.99% of its common shares outstanding on August 30, 2010, and the amount equal to 4.99% of its Common Shares outstanding on the date the Toronto Stock Exchange accepts the notice of intention to make a normal course issuer bid.

Since September 10, 2009, the date on which Leon's current issuer bid commenced, the company has purchased 413,317 Common Shares at an average price of $10.38 per share. The company's board of directors believes that the purchase of its common shares is an appropriate use of its corporate funds, given its very strong liquidity position.

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) August 4, 2010, St. Louis, MO, announced that its board of directors declared an increase in the quarterly dividend on its common shares from 26.5 cents per share to 28 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Oct. 29, 2010 to shareowners of record on Oct. 8, 2010.

Chief Financial Officer Carl Casale said dividends are a key element of Monsanto's approach to using its strong cash position to benefit shareowners.

"The dividend increase leverages Monsanto's cash generation power to reward shareowners, and expresses our confidence in the long-term growth potential of our business," Casale said.

Monsanto's three-pronged approach to using its cash position to benefit its owners revolves around providing direct return through dividends and share repurchases, as well as using cash for strategic acquisitions and capital spending.
In June, Monsanto announced a new three-year share repurchase program, effective July 1, 2010, for up to $1 billion of the company's common stock. Monsanto executives have said the company is positioned for earnings growth in the mid-teen percentages beyond the current fiscal year.

Monsanto Company is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. Monsanto remains focused on enabling both small-holder and large-scale farmers to produce more from their land while conserving more of our world's natural resources such as water and energy.

Newalta Corporation (TSE: NAL) August 5, 2010, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Newalta Corporation ("Newalta") (TSX:NAL) today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010.

In the second quarter, our markets were considerably stronger than a year ago with improved prices for the products we recover, stronger drilling activity and higher volumes at both VSC and SCL. As a result, revenue was up $25.5 million, or 23%, and Adjusted EBITDA(1) grew by $8.3 million, or 46%.

Year-to-date revenue was up $44.2 million, or 20%, and Adjusted EBITDA was up $25.4 million, or 85%, from last year. Trailing twelve month Adjusted EBITDA was $107.6 million, or $2.22 per share. Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of revenue in the first half was 20.7%, up from 13.4% in 2009.

"The outlook for all of our markets in the second half is much stronger than last year and we remain confident that solid gains in bottom-line performance will be realized in the quarters ahead," said Al Cadotte, President and CEO of Newalta.

The board of directors also approved a 30% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.065 per share from $0.05 per share ($0.26 per share versus $0.20 per share per annum), starting with the dividend payable to shareholders of record as of September 30, 2010.

Newalta Corporation, formerly Newalta Inc., is a Canada-based company. It operates in two segments: Western segment and Eastern segment. The Western segment recovers and resells crude oil from oilfield waste, rents drill cuttings management and solids control equipment, provides environmental services, including environmental projects and drilling waste management, collects liquid and semi-solid industrial wastes, as well as automotive wastes, including waste lubricating oil, and provides mobile site services in western Canada. The Eastern segment provides industrial waste collection, pre-treating, transfer, processing and disposal services and operates a fleet of specialized vehicles and equipment for waste transport and onsite processing, a lead recycling facility and an emergency response service in central and eastern Canada. On January 1, 2009, Newalta Corporation, Newalta Industrial Services Inc. and Newalta Services Holdings Inc. were amalgamated to form Newalta Corporation.

Nordson Corporation (NASDAQ: NDSN) August 19, 2010 Westlake, OH reported third quarter sales that were strongly improved over the same period a year ago and all-time quarterly records for operating profit, net income and diluted earnings per share. For the quarter ending July 31, 2010, sales were $279 million, a 35 percent increase over sales in the prior year’s third quarter. The sales improvement included a 38 percent increase in volume partially offset by unfavorable currency translation effects. Third quarter operating profit was $68 million and net income was $55 million. Diluted earnings per share were $1.61, inclusive of a $0.31 tax benefit related to the previously announced sale of the company’s graphic arts UV curing product lines, an additional unrelated $0.01 one-time tax benefit, and a $0.01 restructuring charge. This earnings per share level is more than double that of the previous year’s third quarter.

“Our outstanding performance in the quarter clearly demonstrates that we are winning in the marketplace, capturing returning demand, and serving our customers with a more efficient model,” said Nordson President and Chief Executive Officer Michael F. Hilton. “Our global team continued to execute in every segment and every region and delivered the highest quarterly level of operating profit and net income in Nordson’s history. With this record performance, we continued to generate high levels of cash and increased our dividend for the 47th consecutive year.”

Nordson Corporation is one of the world’s leading producers of precision dispensing equipment that applies adhesives, sealants, liquid and powder coatings and other materials to a broad range of consumer and industrial products during manufacturing operations. The company also manufactures equipment used in the testing and inspection of electronic components as well as technology-based systems for UV curing and surface treatment processes. Headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, Nordson has direct operations and sales support offices in more than 30 countries.

Nustar GP Holdings (NYSE: NSH) August 2, 2010, San Antonio, TX, announced that distributable cash flow available to unitholders for the second quarter was $20.0 million, or $0.47 per unit, compared to $18.5 million, or $0.44 per unit, for the second quarter of 2009. Second quarter net income was $30.9 million, or $0.73 per unit, compared to $21.4 million, or $0.50 per unit, for the second quarter of 2009.

With respect to the quarterly distribution to unitholders for the second quarter of 2010, NuStar GP Holdings, LLC announced that its board of directors has declared a distribution of $0.46 per unit, which would equate to $1.84 per unit on an annual basis. This quarterly distribution represents an increase of $0.03 per unit, or 7.0 percent, over the $0.43 distribution for the second quarter of 2009 and an increase of $0.01 per unit, or 2.2 percent, over the $0.45 distribution for the first quarter of 2010. The second quarter 2010 distribution will be paid on August 18, 2010, to holders of record as of August 6, 2010.

"For a second consecutive quarter, I am pleased to report an increase in the distribution to our unitholders, which was driven by higher general partner distributions and higher incentive distribution rights paid to the general partner as a result of the NuStar Energy, L.P. equity offering completed in May 2010. Based on the projected benefits associated with NuStar Energy L.P.'s $500 million internal growth program, the potential exists for continued growth in distributable cash flows for NuStar GP Holdings, LLC," said Curt Anastasio, President and Chief Executive Officer of NuStar Energy L.P. and NuStar GP Holdings, LLC.

Omnicare, Inc. (NYSE: OCR) August 12, 2010, Covington, KY, declared a quarterly cash dividend of 3.25 cents ($0.0325) per share on its common stock. This represents an increase of 44.4% over the previous quarterly rate of 2.25 cents per common share. The dividend is payable on September 15, 2010 to stockholders of record on August 31, 2010.

Omnicare, Inc. is a provider of pharmaceutical care for the elderly. Omnicare serves residents in long-term care facilities, chronic care and other settings comprising approximately 1.4 million beds in 47 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Omnicare is the largest U.S. provider of professional pharmacy, related consulting and data management services for skilled nursing, assisted living and other institutional healthcare providers as well as for hospice patients in homecare and other settings. Omnicare's pharmacy services also include distribution and patient assistance services for specialty pharmaceuticals. Omnicare offers clinical research services for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in 32 countries worldwide.

Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), August 12, 2010, Cleveland, OH, manufacturer of motion and control technologies, announced that its board of directors increased the company’s regular quarterly cash dividend to 27 cents per share of common stock and declared a dividend payable September 3, 2010 to shareholders of record as of August 23, 2010. This represents a 4 percent increase over the previous quarterly dividend of 26 cents per common share and is the company's 241st consecutive quarterly dividend, resulting in a total distribution to shareholders of approximately $44 million.

“This is the second dividend increase we have implemented this calendar year and it reflects the Board’s confidence in our financial strength and our ability to consistently generate strong cash flows,” said Tim Pistell, Executive Vice President – Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer. “Our results in fiscal year 2010 are evidence that we continue to improve the financial performance of the company. We generated increased operating margins, increased diluted earnings per share and increased cash flow from operations. Importantly, we demonstrated our ability to deliver much higher operating margin levels during this economic cycle than at the lowest point in past recessions.”

With annual sales of $10 billion in fiscal year 2010, Parker Hannifin is a diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs approximately 55,000 people in 46 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 54 consecutive fiscal years.

Questar Corporation (NYSE: STR) August 10, 2010, Salt Lake City, UT, approved a $0.14 (14 cent) quarterly common stock dividend. The dividend, payable Sept. 13, 2010, to shareholders of record on Aug. 20, 2010, is a $0.01 increase from the previous quarter. This is the company’s 263rd consecutive dividend. Questar has increased its dividend 37 times in the last 38 years.

Questar is a Rockies-based integrated natural gas company with an enterprise value of about $4.2 billion and three complementary lines of business: Wexpro Company develops and produces natural gas from cost-of-service reserves for Questar Gas customers; Questar Pipeline Company operates interstate natural gas pipelines and storage facilities in the western U.S., and; Questar Gas Company provides retail natural gas distribution in Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho.

Quicksilver Gas Services LP (NYSE: KGS) July 22, 2010, Fort Worth, TX,
announced that the board of directors of its general partner has declared a cash distribution of $.42 per common unit for the 2010 second quarter, an increase of $.03 per common unit. This distribution will be paid August 13, 2010 on all common units to holders of record as of the close of business on August 3, 2010.

Quicksilver Gas Services is a growth-oriented limited partnership in the business of gathering and processing natural gas produced from the Barnett Shale geologic formation in the Fort Worth Basin of north Texas. The company began operation in 2004 to provide these services to Quicksilver Resources Inc., which owns our general partner.

Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG) July 29, ,2010, Phoenix, AZ, announced that its board of directors has approved a five percent increase in the company's regular quarterly dividend. The quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share will be paid on October 15, 2010 to shareholders of record on October 1, 2010.

"Republic has paid down more than $800 million of debt over the past 18 months and we continue to have strong free cash flow," said James E. O'Connor, Chairman and CEO of Republic Services, Inc. "We have a strong balance sheet and believe that it is extremely important for our stockholders to share in the Company's success through an increase in our quarterly dividend. This is the sixth time that we have increased our quarterly dividend since the program was introduced in 2003."

Republic Services, Inc. provides recycling and solid waste collection, transfer and disposal services in the United States. The Company's various operating units, including collection companies, transfer stations, recycling centers and landfills, are focused on providing reliable environmental services and solutions for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSE: RBA), August 6, 2010, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, announced net earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2010 of $38.9 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, and adjusted net earnings of $38.2 million, or $0.36 per diluted share. This compares to financial statement net earnings of $58.7 million, or $0.56 per diluted share, and adjusted net earnings of $58.1 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for the first half of 2009. Adjusted net earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined below. In the first half of 2010, the Company conducted 105 industrial auctions in 15 countries throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Central America, Asia and Australia. All dollar amounts in this release are presented in United States dollars.

Established in 1958, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (NYSE and TSX: RBA) is the world’s largest industrial auctioneer, selling more equipment to on-site and online bidders than any other company in the world. The Company has over 110 locations in more than 25 countries, including 42 auction sites worldwide. Ritchie Bros. sells, through unreserved public auctions, a broad range of used and unused industrial assets, including equipment, trucks and other assets utilized in the construction, transportation, agricultural, material handling, mining, forestry, petroleum and marine industries.

Safety Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SAFT) August 4, 2010, Boston, MA, reported second quarter 2010 results. Net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 was $15.1 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, compared to $15.0 million, or $0.96 per diluted share, for the comparable 2009 period. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was $27.9 million, or $1.84 per diluted share, compared to $26.9 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, for the comparable 2009 period. Safety’s book value per share increased to $42.88 at June 30, 2010 from $41.20 at December 31, 2009. Safety paid $0.40 per share in dividends to investors during both the quarters ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. Safety paid $1.60 per share in dividends to investors during the year ended December 31, 2009.

The board of directors approved and declared an increase in the quarterly cash dividend from $0.40 to $0.50 per share on the issued and outstanding common stock, payable on September 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 1, 2010.

The board of directors today also increased Safety’s existing share repurchase program by authorizing repurchase of an additional $30.0 million of Safety’s outstanding common shares. Previously, the Board of Directors had authorized up to $60.0 million under the program. Safety has previously purchased $55.5 million of its common shares on the open market under the program.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (NYSE: SMG) August 10, 2010, Marysville, OH, will pay a cash dividend approved by the board of directors of $0.25 per share is payable September 10, 2010 to shareholders of record on August 27, 2010. This quarterly dividend is increased to a rate that is double the current level

With approximately $3 billion in worldwide sales, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Scotts Company LLC, is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with products for professional horticulture as well. The Company's brands are the most recognized in the industry. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R) and Ortho(R) brands are market-leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup(R) brand, which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In the U.S., it operate Scotts LawnService(R), the second largest residential lawn care service business. In Europe, the Company's brands include Weedol(R), Pathclear(R), Evergreen(R), Levington(R), Miracle-Gro(R), KB(R), Fertiligene(R) and Substral(R). For additional information, visit us at www.scotts.com.

Span-America Medical Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAN) August 5, 2010, Greenville, NC, announced that its board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable September 3, 2010, to shareholders of record on August 19, 2010.

"This payment of $0.10 per share represents an 11% increase in the dividend amount paid compared with the same period last year and highlights our strong balance sheet and solid earnings performance in fiscal 2010,” stated Jim Ferguson, president and chief executive officer of Span‑America. “Our dividend program continues to be an important part of our strategy to build long-term shareholder value, and this payment marks our 83rd consecutive quarter of paying cash dividends.”

Span-America manufactures and markets a comprehensive selection of pressure management products for the medical market, including Geo-Matt®, PressureGuard®, Geo-Mattress®, Span+Aids®, Isch‑Dish®, and Selan® products. The company also supplies custom foam and packaging products to the consumer and industrial markets.

Stella-Jones, Inc. (TSE: SJ) August 12, 2010, Montreal, Canada, board of directors of announced that a semi-annual dividend of $0.20 per share, representing an 11.1% increase over its previous semi-annual dividend, has been declared on the outstanding common shares of the Corporation, payable on October 8, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 3, 2010. This dividend is designated to be an eligible
dividend.

Stella-Jones Inc. is a leading North American producer and marketer of industrial pressure treated wood products, specializing in the production of railway ties and timbers, as well as wood poles supplied to electrical utilities and telecommunications companies.

The company also provides treated consumer lumber products and customized services to lumber retailers and wholesalers for outdoor applications. Other products include marine and foundation pilings, construction timbers, highway guardrail posts and treated wood for bridges.

STERIS Corporation (NYSE: STE) August 3, 2010, Mentor, OH, announced financial results for its fiscal 2011 first quarter ended June 30, 2010. The Company also announced today that STERIS's board of directors has authorized a four cent increase in its quarterly dividend to $0. D15 per common share. The dividend is payable September 21, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 24, 2010. STERIS Corporation provides infection prevention, decontamination and health science technologies, products and services. The Company has approximately 5,000 dedicated employees around the world working together to supply a broad array of solutions by offering a combination of equipment, consumables and services to healthcare, pharmaceutical, industrial and government Customers.

Territorial Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: TBNK) August 5, 2010, Honolulu, HI, approved a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.07 per share. The dividend is expected to be paid on September 2, 2010 to stockholders of record as of August 19, 2010.

Allan Kitagawa, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased with our performance during the second quarter of 2010 in light of difficult economic conditions in Hawaii and throughout the country. We have experienced growth in our deposit base and loan portfolio despite these adverse conditions. We are especially pleased to announce a 40.0% increase in our quarterly cash dividend from $0.05 to $0.07 per share of common stock."

Textainer Group Holdings, Ltd (NYSE: TGH) August 11, 2010, Hamilton, Bermuda, board of directors approved and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per share on Textainer's issued and outstanding common shares, payable on September 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of August 23, 2010. This dividend is an increase of $0.01 per share from the prior quarter and will be the twelfth consecutive quarterly dividend since Textainer's October 2007 initial public offering. Combined, these dividends have averaged 48% of net income attributable to Textainer Group Holdings Limited common shareholders excluding unrealized losses (gains) on interest rate swaps, net(1) during this period. The current dividend represents 42% of net income attributable to Textainer Group Holdings Limited common shareholders excluding unrealized losses (gains) on interest rate swaps, net(1) for the second quarter. Historically, Textainer has paid about 50% of net income attributable to Textainer Group Holdings Limited common shareholders excluding unrealized losses (gains) on interest rate swaps, net(1) in dividends, but the board of directors takes a fresh view every quarter and sets the dividend subject to various factors including cash needs for opportunities that may be available to us.

Textainer has operated since 1979 and is the world's largest lessor of intermodal containers based on fleet size. We have a total of 1.5 million containers, representing over 2.2 million TEU, in our owned and managed fleet. We lease containers to more than 400 shipping lines and other lessees. We lease dry freight containers, which are by far the most common of the three principal types of intermodal containers, as well as specialized and refrigerated containers. We have also been one of the largest purchasers of new containers among container lessors over the last 10 years. We are one of the largest sellers of used containers, having sold more than 100,000 containers last year to more than 1,000 customers. We provide our services worldwide via a network of regional and area offices and independent depots.

Torchmark Corporation (NYSE: TMK) August 12, 2010, McKinney, TX, announced that its Board of Directors has raised the quarterly dividend to $.16 per share on all of the outstanding common stock of the Company held of record as of the close of business of the Company's transfer agent on October 2, 2010. The dividend will be paid on November 1, 2010.

Torchmark Corporation is a holding company specializing in life and supplemental health insurance for "middle income" Americans marketed through multiple distribution channels including direct response, and exclusive and independent agencies. Torchmark has several nationally recognized insurance subsidiaries. Globe Life And Accident is a direct-response provider of life insurance known for its administrative efficiencies. American Income Life provides individual life insurance to labor union members. Liberty National Life is one of the oldest traditional life insurers in the Southeast. United American is a consumer-oriented provider of supplemental life and health insurance.

Toromont Industries Ltd. (TSE: TIH) August 12, 2010, Concord, Ontario, Canada board of directors approved a 7% increase in Toromont's regular quarterly cash dividend, marking twenty-one consecutive years of increasing dividends. A quarterly dividend at the new rate of 16 cents (Cdn) per share, payable October 1, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 16, 2010, was declared by the board.

"This will be a year of significant transition at Enerflex as we complete the integration of the legacy business, realize identified synergies including disposal of redundant assets, reductions in working capital, and prepare for a recovery in the market," continued Mr. Ogilvie. "Generally prospects for the remainder of the year are encouraging but remain dependent on continued strengthening of the underlying economy and the specific markets within which we operate. We expect to report improving results from the Compression Group for the balance of the year. The Equipment Group has seen good growth in bookings activity over the first half of the year and is now performing above the comparable periods last year. Our refrigeration business is on track to deliver a standout year. Our decision to continue the long established pattern of dividend increases reflects our positive outlook and strong financial position."

Toromont Industries Ltd. operates through two business segments: The Equipment Group and the Compression Group. The Equipment Group includes one of the larger Caterpillar dealerships by revenue and geographic territory in addition to industry leading rental operations. The Compression Group is a global leader specializing in the design, engineering, fabrication, and installation of compression systems for natural gas, coal-bed methane, fuel gas and carbon dioxide in addition to process systems and industrial and recreational refrigeration systems. Both Groups offer comprehensive product support capabilities.

Tower Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: TWGP) August 9, 2010, New York, NY, board of directors approved a quarterly dividend on August 6, 2010 of $0.125 per share payable on September 24, 2010 to stockholders of record as of September 10, 2010.
Tower Group, Inc. offers diversified property and casualty insurance products and services through its operating subsidiaries. Its insurance company subsidiaries offer insurance products to individuals and small to medium-sized businesses through its network of retail and wholesale agents and specialty business through program underwriting agents. Tower's insurance services subsidiaries provide underwriting, claims and reinsurance brokerage services to other insurance companies.

T S and W/Claymore Tax-Advantaged Balanced Fund (NYSE: TYW) August 2, 2010, Lisle, IL, August 2, 2010-(NYSE: TYW) TS&W/Claymore Tax-Advantaged Balanced Fund (“TYW” or the “Fund”)a closed-end management investment company, announced that it is increasing its quarterlydividend by 11.11% to $0.20per share, effective with its September 2010 dividend. The increased dividendcompares to the $0.18per share for the last quarterly dividend and
represents a distribution rate of 7.79%based upon the closing market price of $10.27on July 30, 2010. The Fund’s tax-advantageddistribution rate on closing market price, as of July 30, 2010, was11.28%. The tax-advantageddistribution rate is calculated based upon the 35% federal income tax bracket and assumes the 2009 tax characterization of dividends. There can be no assurance that this characterization is indicative of future allocations nor that this distribution ratewill be achieved in the future.

The September2010 dividend will be paid on September30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 15, 2010 with an ex-dividend date of September 13, 2010. Claymore Advisors, LLC (an affiliate of Claymore Securities, Inc.) serves as Investment Adviser to the Fund.Claymore Securities, Inc.offers strategic investment solutions for financial advisors and their valued clients. As an innovator in exchange-traded funds (ETFs), unit investment trusts (UITs) and closed-end funds (CEFs),Claymore often leads its peers with creative investment strategy solutions. In total, Claymore entities provide supervision, management, or servicing on approximately $15.3billion in assets as ofJune 30, 2010. Claymore Securities, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Guggenheim Partners, LLC, a global, diversified financial services firm with more than $100 billion in assets under supervision. Guggenheim, through its affiliates, provides investmentmanagement, investment advisory, insurance, investment banking, and capital markets services. The firm is headquartered in Chicago and New York with a global network of offices throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

W and T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) August 2, 2010, Houston, TX, (NYSE: WTI) announced that its Board of Directors on August 2, 2010 increased the regular cash quarterly dividend to $0.04 per share from $0.03 per share, payable to the holders of the Corporation's common shares. The dividend will be payable on September 10, 2010, to the shareholders of record on August 20, 2010.

Tracy W. Krohn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to be able to increase our quarterly dividend and reward our shareholders for their ongoing support. This action reflects our continued confidence in W&T Offshore's ability to continue to generate strong cash flow."

W&T Offshore is an independent oil and natural gas company focused primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, including exploration in the deepwater and deep shelf regions, where it has developed significant technical expertise. W&T has grown through acquisitions, exploitation and exploration and currently holds working interests in approximately 72 producing fields in federal and state waters. The majority of the Company's daily production is derived from wells it operates.

Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY) August 5, 2010, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, announced yesterday that it has further increased its dividend. All dollar amounts are expressed in United States dollars unless otherwise specified.

The board of directors has approved an increase in Yamana's dividend to an annualized $0.08 per share, or $0.02 per share per quarter. This represents a 100 percent increase over the 2009 annualized dividend of $0.04 per share, or $0.01 per share per quarter and a 33 percent increase over the annualized dividend increase to $0.06 per share, or $0.015 per share per quarter announced last quarter.
The dividend increase will be in effect for the third quarter dividend, payable on Thursday, October 14, 2010, to holders of record at the close of business on Thursday, September 30, 2010. The dividend is an "eligible dividend" for Canadian tax purposes.
Yamana is a Canadian-based gold producer with significant gold production, gold development stage properties, exploration properties, and land positions in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Mexico and Colombia. Yamana plans to continue to build on this base through existing operating mine expansions, throughput increases, development of new mines, the advancement of its exploration properties and by targeting other gold consolidation opportunities with a primary focus in the Americas.

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 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text and photo are copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Laura Franks.

Aug 27, 2010 1:18:00 PM (2 weeks ago)

Laura Franks Bexley CPI report for third quarter 2010.

August 26, 2010 Third Quarter, 2010, Bexley Consumer Price Report.

This is Laura Franks reporting the Bexley Consumer Price Index for the third quarter, 2010.

The Bexley CPI reports on the aggregate prices paid for a uniform basket of merchandise purchased at retail in Bexley and nearby retail stores.

The Bexley CPI measures the change of prices for typical retail purchases made by Bexley residents.

The Bexley Consumer Price Index can be compared to the price changes reported by the Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. The comparison can provide useful information for Bexley consumers about local price changes compared to price changes in other parts of the United States.

As of the third quarter, 2010 compared to the second quarter, 2010, Bexley prices showed a 6% increase. Although there was a significant 31% markdown on one (1) item (a back-to-school item) the overall increase was the result of two (2) items having their prices raised, and a third item that was discounted 41% last quarter was returned to its pre-sale cost.

Of note: this is the highest total cost we’ve seen since the inception of the Bexley CPI in October 2007. The highest total previously was in the first quarter of this year.

Even though we have an increase in prices this quarter I still conclude that it is always nice to live in Bexley.

This is Laura Franks for the WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM Bexley Consumer Price Index Report.

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 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text and photo are copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Laura Franks.

Aug 27, 2010 11:43:00 AM (2 weeks ago)

INFORM's Candy Bennett interviews William Phillis on Ohio school funding.

-
Ohio’s School Funding August 16, 2010.

INFORM’s guest for August 16th was William Phillis, CEO of the Coalition of Equity and Adequacy for School Funding articulated the strides Ohio’s government has been advancing for education in all 88 counties.

It is evident to most Ohioans that our economy is tough and burdened with foreclosures, unemployment and reduced state revenue making it difficult to advance a “thorough and efficient” system of education. Mr. Phillis, informed the listening audience that Governor Stickland has championed education systematically. His previous campaign platform was one of education reform and he fulfilled his promise by enacting an Evidence Based Model and through the General Assembly has increased school funding from 34.5% to 42.6% lessening the burden upon homeowners.

If you would like more information about the Coalition of Equity and Adequacy for School funding you can reach Mr. Phillis at 614.228.6524 or ohioeanda@sbcglobal.net.

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 2010. All rights reserved. Candy Bennett.

Aug 17, 2010 1:21:00 AM (3 weeks ago)

INFORM's Candy Bennet interviews marathon runner Chris Smith on Bexley Public Radio

INFORM August 2, 2010 “Two Old Goats.”

Listeners of INFORM, met Chris Smith, a marathon runner with a selfless goal of running to help the people of Zimbabwe gain sustainability. Chris and his running partner Paul Carringer are “Two Old Goats” running for the goats.

In July, they competed in the 24 hour “Lone Ranger” ultra race in Philadelphia, to raise money to purchase 1000 goats for the people of Zimbabwe. World Vision is their social service partner. World Vision provides each family with two goats and instructs them how to produce milk and cheese. World Vision also provides entrepreneurial instruction on the care and development of goat herd expansion, thus creating meat for trade and potentially increasing each family’s earning potential.

Chris and Paul are still running to reach their goal of 1000 goats. A $75 contribution will purchase two goats to increase the economic stability of a family in Zimbabwe. Checks can be sent to Grace Fellowship Church-Goats, 7140 Reynoldsburg-Baltimore Road, Pickerington, Ohio 43147 or you can make your donation online at http://twv.convio.net/goto/run4goats.

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 2010. All rights reserved. Candy Bennett.

Aug 17, 2010 1:11:00 AM (3 weeks ago)

The Green Radio Choice. Bexley Public Radio.

Green. The public radio green choice is still WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM. Celebrate the lower energy requirements for LPFM.

Big power blasters like WOSU and WCBE consume lots of energy. These big stations have gluttonous appetites for anthracite.

WOSU alone engorges itself on almost a shovel full of coal every eighteen minutes of broadcast.

Think WOSU. Think coal. Think pollution.

Reflect on WCRX-LP. Visualize low energy use. Know that Bexley Public Radio means responsible stewardship of energy resources.

To know green, think Bexley Public Radio.

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 and 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Editorial Collective.

POSTED BY WCRX-LP EDITORIAL COLLECTIVE AT 8:54 AM 0 COMMENTS

Aug 11, 2010 1:05:00 PM (4 weeks ago)

CPAC meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. September 6, 2010.

Community Programming Advisory Committee meeting for Bexley Public Radio.

4:30 p.m. Monday September 6, 2010.

Community residents are welcome.

Admission is $10.00 per person.

Case, check, money order and ID.

Chairwoman Laura Franks
Community Programming Advisory Committee
Bexley Public Radio Foundation
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209

Aug 11, 2010 12:57:00 PM (4 weeks ago)

Laura Franks Dividend Note No. 28 for Bexley Public Radio.

This is my Dividend Note No. 28 as of August 3, 2010..

These are sixty-four companies which increased dividends during the last two weeks of July and the first three days of August. Most are American companies.

Some of the companies with interesting lines of business are the following: Malaga Financial is interesting because its banking subsidiary does not have any delinquent loans. Buckeye Technologies, Inc. manufactures specialty fibers and nonwoven materials. CARBO Ceramics, Inc. is supplier of a ceramic proppant, used in the oil drilling industry. RPC, Inc. provides specialized oilfield services and equipment to oilfield companies in the United States, including the Gulf of Mexico, mid-continent, southwest, Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions, and in selected international markets.

These are the companies with increased dividends or initiated the payment of dividends.

Airgas, Inc.
Altera Corp.
American Water Works Company, Inc.
A.O. Smith Corporation
Applied Industrial Technologies
Aptargroup, Inc.
Aqua America
Atrion Corporation
AVX Corporation
Barrick Gold Corp.
British American Tobacco
Buckeye Technologies Inc.
CARBO Ceramics Inc.
Centerra Gold
Community Trust Bancorp
Crane Co.
Cummins, Inc.
Digital Realty
Donaldson Company, Inc.
DTE Energy
Duncan Energy Partners L.P.
Eaton Corp.
El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P.
Enbridge Energy Partners L.P.
Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated
Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Total Return Fund Incorporated
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund Incorporated
Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated
FPB Financial Corp.
General Electric Company
Genesis Energy, L.P.
Herbalife Ltd.
International Flavors and Fragrances Inc.
Kaydon Corporation
Lindsay Corp.
Landstar System, Inc.
Malaga Financial Corporation
National Retail Properties, Inc.
Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.
Newmont Mining Corporation
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.
ONEOK, Inc.
Orrstown Financial Services, Inc.
PetMed Express. Inc.
PPG
Proctor and Gamble
Republic Services, Inc.
Resources Connection, Inc.
RPC, Inc.
Ryder System, Inc.
Sealed Air Corporation
Solera Holdings, Inc.
Spectra Energy Partners, LP
Stanley Black and Decker, Inc.
Starbucks Corporation
TESSCO Technologies Incorporated
UDR Inc.
Vanguard Natural Resources, LLC
ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc.
Walgreen Co.
W and T Offshore, Inc.
Western Gas Partners, LP
Westfield Financial, Inc.

Airgas, Inc. (NYSE: ARG) July 21, 2010 Radnor, PA announced that its board of directors increased the quarterly cash dividend on the company's common stock to $0.25 per share from $0.22. The dividend will be payable on September 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of September 15, 2010.

"We are pleased to raise our dividend on the strength of our outstanding financial performance, including robust earnings growth and cash flow," said Airgas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Peter McCausland. "The steady improvement we are seeing in our business as the economy recovers gives us further confidence in our growth prospects, financial strength, and operating performance goals."

Airgas, Inc. through its subsidiaries, is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial, medical, and specialty gases, and hard goods, such as welding equipment and supplies. Airgas is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work in approximately 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers. Airgas also distributes its products and services through eBusiness, catalog and telesales channels.

Altera Corp. (NASDAQ: ALTR) ) July 20, 2010, San Jose, CA, announced that its second-quarter net income rose 18 percent as revenue surged and beat analyst expectations. This chip maker also increased its quarterly dividend.

Net income in the quarter grew to $180.6 million, or 58 cents per share, from $153.2 million, or 50 cents per share, in the same period a year earlier.

Revenue grew 68 percent to $469.3 million.

Altera also increased its quarterly cash dividend to 6 cents from 5 cents. The next quarterly dividend will be paid Sept. 1 to shareholders of record Aug. 10.

Altera is a semiconductor company. The company designs, manufactures and markets programmable logic devices (PLDs), HardCopy application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), pre-defined design building blocks, known as intellectual property (IP) cores, and associated development tools. Altera is a supplier of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) PLDs. The company’s PLDs consist of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), which are semiconductor integrated circuits, or chips, that its customers program to perform logic functions in their electronic systems. Its HardCopy ASICs enables its customer transition designs from FPGAs to non-programmable implementations. Altera’s IP cores can be licensed by customers to add functions to their PLD designs.

American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE: AWK) July 30, 2010, Voorhees, NJ announced that its board of directors increased its quarterly cash dividend payment by five percent from $0.21 to $0.22 per share.
The regular quarterly cash dividend is payable on September 1, 2010 to all shareholders of record as of August 18, 2010.
"We are pleased with the Board's decision to increase our dividend as it reflects our solid financial performance to-date," said Don Correll, president and CEO of American Water. "This is our ninth consecutive declaration since going public in 2008."

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest investor-owned U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 16 million people in 35 states and Ontario and Manitoba, Canada.

A.O. Smith (NYSE: AOS) July 23, 2010, Milwaukee, WI, board of directors has approved an eight percent increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend to a rate of $.21 per share.

The dividend is payable on Aug. 16 to shareholders of record July 30.

"The stability provided by our 136 years in business, as well as our record operating performance and cash flow generation in 2009, give us the confidence to increase our dividend in what continues to be a fragile economic recovery," Paul W. Jones, chairman and chief executive officer, commented.

A. O. Smith has paid cash dividends on its stock every year since 1940. This is the eighth time in the last nine years that the company has increased its quarterly cash dividend.

A. O. Smith Corporation, with 2009 sales of $2.0 billion, is a global company applying technology and energy-efficient solutions to products marketed worldwide. The company is a manufacturer of residential and commercial water heating equipment, offering a comprehensive product line featuring the best-known brands in North America and China. A. O. Smith is also one of the largest manufacturers of electric motors for residential and commercial applications in North America.

Applied Industrial Technologies (NYSE: AIT) July 20, 2010, Cleveland, OH increased its quarterly dividend by 13%.

Applied Industrial said it bumped its quarterly cash dividend higher to 17 cents per share from 15 cents. The new dividend is payable on Aug. 31 to shareholders of record on Aug. 16. Applied Industrial Chairman and CEO David Pugh said the dividend increase is based "on our good cash flows and the recent improvement in the North American industrial economy."

The new dividend pushes Applied Industrial's annualized dividend rate to 2.62% from 2.31%.

With approximately 460 facilities and 4,500 employee associates across North America, Applied Industrial Technologies is an industrial distributor that offers more than 3 million parts critical to the operations of MRO and OEM customers in virtually every industry. In addition, Applied provides engineering, design and systems integration for industrial and fluid power applications, as well as customized mechanical, fabricated rubber and fluid power shop services. Applied also offers maintenance training, plus solutions to meet inventory and storeroom management needs that help provide enhanced value to its customers. For its fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, Applied posted sales of $1.9 billion.

Aptargroup, Inc. (NYSE: ATR) July 20, 2010, Crystal Lake, IL reported record quarterly earnings per share. The company's board of directors also announced a 20% increase to the quarterly cash dividend.

Commenting on the quarter, Peter Pfeiffer, President and CEO, said, "This was an exceptional quarter for us across the board. Our decision to reduce certain costs during the economic downturn last year without sacrificing critical research or capacity was the right move. We put ourselves in position to take advantage of rising demand as our customers' businesses regained their momentum. And this momentum, which we saw in the first quarter, carried over into the second quarter. Demand was particularly strong from the fragrance, cosmetic, and personal care markets and appears to be a blend of increased consumer consumption and the absence of inventory destocking that occurred last year. Sales to the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical markets were also quite good in the quarter. Each business segment posted increases in sales and income."

Pfeiffer continued, "Increased volumes drove improved capacity utilization and, combined with our cost containment efforts, contributed to record operating income of $74 million and record earnings per share. Reported diluted earnings per share increased 63% to a record $.67 per share, compared to $.41 per share in the prior year. Prior year earnings per share included the negative effect of $.03 per share from charges related to our consolidation/severance program."

Aptargroup is a global supplier of dispensing systems for the fragrance/cosmetic, personal care, pharmaceutical, household and food/beverage markets. Aptargroup is headquartered in Crystal Lake, Illinois, with manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia and South America.

Aqua America, Inc. (NYSE: WTR) August 3, 2010, Bryn Mawr, PA, declared a dividend increase of $0.01 per share from $0.145 per share to $0.155 per share for the December 1, 2010 quarterly dividend, to all shareholders of record on November 17, 2010. This represents a 6.9 percent increase to the quarterly dividend. This increase is equivalent to $0.04 above the company's current annualized dividend rate of $0.58 to $0.62.

The Board also declared the regular $0.145 per share quarterly common stock cash dividend to be paid on September 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on August 17, 2010. Aqua has paid a consecutive quarterly dividend for more than 60 years.

(Editor’s note by LF: from public sources, the foregoing record dates and payment dates are incongruous).

This is the company's twentieth dividend increase in 19 years. Aqua America Chairman and CEO Nicholas DeBenedictis said, "The Board approved this action after a strategic session to review the company's five-year business plan. This decision demonstrates the Board's continued confidence in the long-term growth potential of our business model."

Aqua America, Inc. is a U.S.-based publicly traded water and wastewater utility holding company, serving approximately three million people in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Indiana, Virginia, Maine, Missouri, South Carolina and Georgia. Aqua America is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WTR.

Atrion Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRI) August 3, 2010, Allen TX, announced an increase in its quarterly cash dividend from 36 cents per share to 42 cents per share. The board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 42 cents per share on its outstanding shares of common stock. This dividend will be payable on September 30, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 15, 2010.

Atrion Corporation develops and manufactures products primarily for medical applications.

AVX Corporation (NYSE: AVX) July 27, 2010, Greenville, SC declared a dividend of $0.045 per common share for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

This dividend will be paid to shareholders of record on August 2, 2010 and will be disbursed on August 13, 2010.
AVX, headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, is a manufacturer and supplier of a broad line of passive electronic components and related products.

Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: ABX) July 29, 2010, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the world’s largest producer of the metal, said second-quarter profit increased 59 percent and raised its dividend as prices climbed to a record.

Net income rose to $783 million, or 79 cents a share, from $492 million, or 56 cents, a year earlier. Profit excluding one-time items was 77 cents a share. Sales gained 34 percent to $2.64 billion.

Chief Executive Officer Aaron Regent reiterated plans to boost the company’s gold output this year to as much as 8 million ounces, from 7.4 million last year, helped by new production from the Cortez Hills project in Nevada. The company also raised its dividend 20 percent to 12 cents on a quarterly basis and said future dividends will be quarterly instead of semi-annual.
The outlook for the metal remains “positive,” even as investor concerns about Europe’s sovereign-debt problems have eased, Barrick Chief Financial Officer Jamie Sokalsky said on a conference call with investors.

“Sovereign-debt issues around the world aren’t likely to go away in the foreseeable future,” Sokalsky said. “The main drivers of investment demand, and hence, higher gold prices are still in place.”

British American Tobacco Plc (AMEX BTI), July 28, 2010, London, England, United Kingdom, reported a higher profit for the first half of the fiscal, with revenues rising 8% from last year.

The company raised its interim dividend by 19%. The cigarette maker expects another year of good growth in both earnings and dividends.

The company reported first-half profit attributable to shareholders' equity of GBP 1.53 billion (about $2.38 billion) or 76.5 pence per share, compared to GBP 1.45 billion or 72.8 pence per share last year.

Pre-tax profit rose to GBP 2.28 billion from GBP 2.12 billion in the previous year.

Results for both periods included restructuring and integration costs, effects of amortization of trademarks and associates' adjusting items.

Adjusted earnings per share totaled 87.1 pence, up from 77.3 pence per share last year.

Revenues grew 8% to GBP 7.30 billion from GBP 6.78 billion in the comparable period a year earlier, which the company attributed to a favorable foreign currency impact, continued good pricing momentum and additional volumes from last year's acquisition of PT Bentoel Internasional Investama Tbk or Bentoel. Revenue growth was 4% on a currency-neutral basis.

In Asia-Pacific, revenue grew 17% to GBP 1.811 billion and strong performance was seen in Australia, New Zealand, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

British American Tobacco plc is a holding company that owns, directly or indirectly, investments in the numerous companies constituting the British American Tobacco Group of companies. Its brand portfolio includes Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike and Pall Mall. Dunhill sells in approximately 120 countries. 41 billion Dunhill cigarettes were sold during the year ended December 31, 2009. Kent is sold in more than 70 countries. Lucky Strike's markets incude Germany, Spain, Japan, France, Italy, Argentina and Chile. Pall Mall offers a range of cigarette and make-your-own products. On June 17, 2009, it acquired 85% stake in Indonesia’s cigarette maker PT Bentoel Internasional Investama Tbk.

Buckeye Technologies Inc. (NYSE: BKI) August 3, 2010, Memphis, TN, announced that its board of directors has declared its first regular quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.04 per common share payable on September 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 16, 2010.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John B. Crowe, said "We are pleased to be able to initiate a regular dividend for the first time in the Company's history. As we have discussed in recent quarterly earnings calls, Buckeye is now well positioned to take a more balanced approach in its allocation of capital as a result of the success we have had over the last several years in reducing our debt and growing our cash flow. In July, we have reduced our total debt well below the bottom end of our target debt range of $200 - $250 million. In addition, this fall we will complete the first phase of our Foley energy independence project and expect to begin realizing savings from this project in the first quarter of calendar 2011. The dividend amounts to approximately $6.5 million on an annual basis, which represents a payout ratio based on adjusted fiscal 2010 net income (excluding special items) of 18%. This in essence is cash flow that was formerly used to reduce our debt and pay our interest expense and now will be used to return cash to shareholders."

Mr. Crowe continued, "Our objectives for returning cash to shareholders in the form of dividends are to increase shareholder returns and to broaden our shareholder base. We expect that Buckeye will continue to generate cash flow from operations sufficient to pay this dividend and grow it over time while also continuing to invest in high-return projects and growth opportunities. Repurchasing shares continues to be another option, subject to market conditions and bond covenant restrictions. Our objective with share repurchases would be to increase shareholder value by generating returns greater than our cost of capital. Currently, we have authorization to repurchase 5.6 million shares, and we would anticipate that any stock repurchases would be made from time to time on an opportunistic basis through open market purchases."

Buckeye, a manufacturer and marketer of specialty fibers and nonwoven materials, is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The company currently operates facilities in the United States, Germany, Canada, and Brazil. Its products are sold worldwide to makers of consumer and industrial goods.

CARBO Ceramics Inc. (NYSE: CRR) July 20, 2010, Houston, TX, announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in the Company's quarterly dividend to 20 cents per common share, or $0.80 per common share on an annualized basis.

This represents an increase of 11% over the Company's previous quarterly dividend and marks the tenth consecutive year the Company has increased its dividend to shareholders. The dividend is payable on August 16, 2010 to shareholders of record as of August 2, 2010.

Gary Kolstad, Chief Executive Officer and President of CARBO Ceramics, said, "Given the confidence our Board of Directors has about our long-term outlook and financial strength, it is fitting that the Company reward its shareholders with an increase to the quarterly dividend amount."

CARBO is the world's largest supplier of ceramic proppant, (proppant is a sand used in the oil drilling industry), the provider of the world's most popular fracture simulation software, and a provider of fracture design and consulting services. The company also provides a broad range of technologies for spill prevention, containment and countermeasures, along with geotechnical monitoring.

Centerra Gold, Inc. (TSE: CG) July 31, 2010, Toronto, Ontario, Canada reported higher-than-expected quarterly earnings yesterday, as increased production and strong gold prices helped the miner return to profit after a loss a year ago.

The Canadian gold miner's net earnings came in at $29.8 million, or 13 cents a share, which compares with a net loss of $79.6 million, or 36 cents a share, a year earlier, when lower gold recoveries and increased costs took a toll. The company also announced an inaugural dividend of six cents per share, to be paid out in September.

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc., (NASDAQ: CTBI) July 27, 2010, Pikeville, KY increased its cash dividend to $0.305 per share to be paid October 1, 2010, to shareholders of record on September 15, 2010.
This represents an increase of 1.67% in the quarterly cash dividend.

Community Trust Bancorp, Inc., with assets of $3.2 billion, is headquartered in Pikeville, Kentucky and has 70 banking locations across eastern, northeastern, central, and south central Kentucky, six banking locations in southern West Virginia, and five trust offices across Kentucky.

Crane Co. (NYSE: CR) July 26, 2010, Stamford, CT, a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products, announced its board of directors declared a 15% increase in its quarterly dividend, to $.023 per share from $0.20 per share. The dividend is payable on September 10, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 31, 2010. The indicated annual dividend rate will now be $0.92 per share.

Crane Co. is a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered industrial products. Founded in 1855, Crane provides products and solutions to customers in the aerospace, electronics, hydrocarbon processing, petrochemical, chemical, power generation, automated merchandising, transportation and other markets. The Company has five business segments: Aerospace and Electronics, Engineered Materials, Merchandising Systems, Fluid Handling and Controls. Crane has approximately 10,000 employees in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) July 13, 2010, Columbus, IN, increased the company’s quarterly cash dividend on common stock by 50 percent to 26.25 cents per share from 17.5 cents per share.
The dividend is payable on Sept. 1, 2010 to shareholders of record on August 23, 2010. Cummins last raised its dividend in July 2008.

“The company has performed well despite operating in challenging economic conditions for much of the past two years,” said Cummins Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tim Solso. “As a result, we are in a position to further reward shareholders for their confidence in Cummins as we continue to position ourselves for a period of strong long-term growth.”

Cummins Inc. is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins serves customers in approximately 190 countries and territories through a network of more than 500 company-owned and independent distributor locations and approximately 5,200 dealer locations. The Company reported net income attributable to Cummins Inc. of $428 million on sales of $10.8 billion in 2009.

Digital Realty Trust (NYSE: DLR) July 19, 2010, San Francisco, CA increased its quarterly dividend on its common stock to 53 cents per share, an increase of 10.4%. The new dividend comes in anticipation of increased REIT taxable income and distribution requirements for 2010, the company said.

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. operates through its operating partnership, Digital Realty Trust, L.P. The Company operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company focuses on properties containing applications and operations critical to the day-to-day operations of technology industry tenants and corporate enterprise datacenter users, including the information technology (IT), departments. The Company’s properties contain a total of approximately 14.4 million net rentable square feet, including approximately 1.8 million square feet held for redevelopment. On October 30, 2009, the Company acquired two fully leased datacenter facilities. On December 17, 2009, it acquired a two-property datacenter portfolio consisting of four buildings, as well as a vacant land, known as Beaumeade/Nokes Property. On January 22, 2010, it acquired three-property datacenter portfolio located in Massachusetts and Connecticut (New England portfolio).

Donaldson Company, Inc. (NYSE: DCI) July 30, 2010, Minneapolis, MN announced that its board of directors has increased the quarterly common stock cash dividend by 4 percent for the second time this year. The board also increased the dividend in February 2010.

The board declared a regular cash dividend of 12.5 cents per share, payable September 10th to shareholders of record as of August 20th. As of June 30th, there were approximately 76,400,000 shares outstanding.

The current declaration is the 220th consecutive quarterly cash dividend paid by Donaldson over a time span of 55 years.
Donaldson is a worldwide provider of filtration systems. It provides filtration solutions through research and development, application expertise, and global presence. The company has more than 100 sales, manufacturing, and distribution locations around the world.

DTE Energy Company (NYSE: DTE) July 29, 2010, Detroit, MI, reported second quarter 2010 earnings of $86 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared with $83 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2009.

The DTE Energy Board of Directors also declared a $0.56 per share dividend on its common stock payable Oct. 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business Sept. 20, 2010. This is a $0.03 per share quarterly increase from the previous dividend payout of $0.53 per share.

"I am pleased that our ongoing dedication to cost containment and customer service continues to deliver strong performance," said Anthony F. Earley Jr., DTE Energy chairman and CEO. "This is despite the fact that our region lags behind the rest of the nation in job growth and economic recovery, which results in significant financial challenges for many of our customers.
"The modest economic recovery, coupled with our multi-year plan to invest in renewable energy, utility infrastructure and environmental controls will create new jobs in our region and provide clean, reliable and affordable energy for our customers," Earley added. "Given these trends, we are pleased to be able to increase our dividend for the first time in three years."

Operating earnings for the second quarter 2010 were $66 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, compared with second quarter 2009 operating earnings of $92 million, or $0.56 per diluted share. Operating earnings decreased primarily due to economic performance and accounting timing at the energy trading segment. Operating earnings exclude non-recurring items, certain timing-related items and discontinued operations. Reconciliations of reported earnings to operating earnings are at the end of this news release.

DTE Energy Company is engaged in energy business. The Company’s utility operations consist of The Detroit Edison Company (Detroit Edison) and Michigan Consolidated Gas Company (MichCon). The Company also has four segments that are engaged in a variety of energy-related business. Detroit Edison is engaged in the generation, purchase, distribution and sale of electricity to approximately 2.1 million customers in south-eastern Michigan. MichCon is engaged in the purchase, storage, transmission, gathering, distribution and sale of natural gas to approximately 1.2 million customers throughout Michigan. The other segments are involved in gas pipelines and storage; unconventional gas exploration, development and production; power and industrial projects and coal transportation and marketing, and energy marketing and trading operations.

Eaton Corp. (NYSE: ETN) July 21, 2010, Cleveland, OH reported a second-quarter profit, as sales increased 16% from last year, driven primarily by stronger end markets. Adjusted earnings as well as revenue topped Wall Street expectations. The company also raised its full-year outlook and boosted its quarterly dividend by 16%.
Eaton is a diversified power management company. The company is engaged in the manufacturing of electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and pneumatic systems for commercial and military use, and truck and automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel economy and safety.

Duncan Energy Partners L.P. (NYSE:DEP) July 13, 2010, Houston, TX, announced that the board of directors of its general partner declared an increase in the quarterly cash distribution rate paid to partners to $0.45 per common unit, or $1.80 per unit on an annualized basis. The cash distribution will be paid Friday, August 6, 2010, to unitholders of record at the close of business on Friday, July 30, 2010. This distribution represents a 3.4 percent increase from the $0.435 per unit distribution declared for the second quarter of 2009 and is the seventh consecutive quarterly distribution increase.

Duncan Energy Partners is a publicly traded partnership that provides midstream energy services, including gathering, transportation, marketing and storage of natural gas, in addition to NGL fractionation (or separation), transportation and storage and petrochemical transportation and storage. Duncan Energy Partners owns interests in assets located primarily in Texas and Louisiana, including interests in approximately 9,400 miles of natural gas pipelines with a transportation capacity aggregating approximately 7.9 billion cubic feet ("Bcf") per day; more than 1,600 miles of NGL and petrochemical pipelines featuring access to one of the world's largest fractionation complexes at Mont Belvieu, Texas; two NGL fractionation facilities located in south Texas; approximately 18 million barrels ("MMBbls") of leased NGL storage capacity; 8.1 Bcf of leased natural gas storage capacity; and 34 underground salt dome caverns with more than 100 MMBbls of NGL storage capacity at Mont Belvieu. Duncan Energy Partners is managed by its general partner, DEP Holdings, LLC, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enterprise.

El Paso Pipeline Partners, L.P. (NYSE: EPB) August 4, 2010, Houston, TX, reported its second quarter 2010 financial and operational results for the partnership.

One highlight is the increase of its quarterly cash distribution quarterly cash distributions to $0.40 per common and subordinated unit for the second quarter 2010, a 21-percent increase from the second quarter of 2009.

"We are pleased with our outstanding results and dynamic growth," said Jim Yardley, president and chief executive officer of El Paso Pipeline Partners. "During the quarter, we completed our fourth acquisition from El Paso Corporation and have now seen our total assets grow more than fourfold since our IPO. We continue to execute on a solid group of organic growth projects and are well positioned for future opportunities."

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: EEP) July 26, 2010, Houston, TX, declared a cash distribution of $1.0275 per unit payable August 13, 2010 to unitholders of record on August 5, 2010 (the ex-dividend date will be August 3, 2010).

"The Partnership's record earnings for the second quarter were primarily driven by strong performance in our Liquids segment and the continued benefits of our cost containment measures implemented in 2009. As a result of strong year-to-date results and our confidence in the continued strength of both our Liquids and Natural Gas segments we are increasing our full year earnings guidance to a range between $410 million and $430 million," said Terrance L. McGill, president of the Partnership's management company and of its general partner.

McGill added: "We are also very pleased to announce a 2.5-cent distribution increase, which is 2.5 percent higher than the prior quarter and follows a 1.3 percent increase implemented last quarter. This distribution increase is supported by solid earnings, incremental cash flows generated from recently completed projects and attractive new business initiatives being developed that will provide further cash flow growth to the Partnership. The distribution increases approved this year positions the Partnership to achieve the 2 percent to 5 percent annual rate of distribution growth that Management has targeted."

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (Partnership) is engaged in owning and operating crude oil and liquid petroleum transportation and storage assets, and natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation and marketing assets in the United States. The company operates in three business segments: liquids, natural gas and marketing. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the portfolio of the company’s assets included approximately 5,900 miles of crude oil gathering and transportation lines and 28.9 million barrels of crude oil storage and terminaling capacity; natural gas gathering and transportation lines totaling approximately 10,000 miles; nine natural gas treating and 22 natural gas processing facilities with an aggregate capacity of approximately 2,900 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d); trucks, trailers and railcars for transporting natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil and carbon dioxide, and marketing assets that provide natural gas supply and sales services.

Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Preferred Securities Income Fund Incorporated (NYSE: FFC) July 20, 2010, Pasaadena, CA and Lisle, IL, approved a new dividend amount on its common stock.
The new monthly dividend rate for FFC will be $0.125 per share, which equates to an annual dividend of $1.50 per share. This new monthly dividend represents an increase of approximately 4.2% over the prior monthly dividend.

This dividend rate will be effective with the dividends to be paid on August 31, 2010. Record and expected ex-dividend dates will be announced early next month.

FFC and FLC were organized in 2003 as closed-end, diversified investment companies. FFC invests primarily in preferred securities with an investment objective of high current income consistent with preservation of capital. FLC invests primarily in preferred and other income-producing securities with a primary investment objective of high current income and a secondary objective of capital appreciation. FFC and FLC are managed by Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated, an independent investment adviser which was founded in 1983 to specialize in the management of portfolios of preferred and related securities. Flaherty & Crumrine also manages two other U.S. closed-end funds: Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund (NYSE: PFD – News); and Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE: PFO – News).

Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Total Return Fund Incorporated (NYSE: FLC) July 20, 2010, Pasaadena, CA and Lisle, IL, approved a new dividend amount on its common stock.

The new monthly dividend rate for FLC will be $0.132 per share, which equates to an annual dividend of $1.584 per share. This new monthly dividend represents an increase of approximately 5.6% over the prior monthly dividend.
This dividend rate will be effective with the dividends to be paid on August 31, 2010. Record and expected ex-dividend dates will be announced early next month.

FFC and FLC were organized in 2003 as closed-end, diversified investment companies. FFC invests primarily in preferred securities with an investment objective of high current income consistent with preservation of capital. FLC invests primarily in preferred and other income-producing securities with a primary investment objective of high current income and a secondary objective of capital appreciation. FFC and FLC are managed by Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated, an independent investment adviser which was founded in 1983 to specialize in the management of portfolios of preferred and related securities. Flaherty & Crumrine also manages two other U.S. closed-end funds: Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund (NYSE: PFD – News); and Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund (NYSE: PFO – News).

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Fund Incorporated (NYSE: PFD) July 20, 2010, Pasadena, CA approved a new dividend amount on its common stock.

The new monthly dividend rate for PFD will be $0.0825 per share, which equates to an annual dividend of $0.99 per share. This new monthly dividend represents an increase of approximately 14.6% over the prior monthly dividend.

These dividend rates will be effective with the dividends to be paid on May 31, 2010. Record and expected ex-dividend dates will be announced early next month.

PFD was organized in 1991 and PFO was organized in 1992 as closed-end, diversified investment companies which invest primarily in preferred securities. Each Fund's investment objective for holders of its common stock is high current income consistent with preservation of capital. PFD and PFO are managed by Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated, an independent investment adviser which was founded in 1983 to specialize in the management of portfolios of preferred and related securities. Flaherty & Crumrine also manages two other U.S. closed-end funds: Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Preferred Securities Income Fund.

Flaherty & Crumrine Preferred Income Opportunity Fund Incorporated (NYSE: PFO) July 20, 2010, Pasadena, CA approved a new dividend amount on its common stock.

The new monthly dividend rate for PFO will be $0.0725 per share, which equates to an annual dividend of $0.87 per share. This new monthly dividend represents an increase of approximately 9.8% over the prior monthly dividend.

These dividend rates will be effective with the dividends to be paid on August 31, 2010. Record and expected ex-dividend dates will be announced early next month.

PFD was organized in 1991 and PFO was organized in 1992 as closed-end, diversified investment companies which invest primarily in preferred securities. Each Fund's investment objective for holders of its common stock is high current income consistent with preservation of capital. PFD and PFO are managed by Flaherty & Crumrine Incorporated, an independent investment adviser which was founded in 1983 to specialize in the management of portfolios of preferred and related securities. Flaherty & Crumrine also manages two other U.S. closed-end funds: Flaherty & Crumrine/Claymore Preferred Securities Income Fund.

FPB Financial Corp. (Pinksheets: FPBF) July 20, Hammond, LA, the holding company for Florida Parishes Bank, announced earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2010.

Net income available to common shareholders for the three month period ending June 30, 2010 decreased 18.4% to $422,000; ($1.15 diluted available earnings per common share) compared to $516,000 ($1.45 diluted available earnings per common share) in the 2009 period.

Fritz W. Anderson II, Chairman of the Board announced today that "On July 8, 2010, the Board of Directors of FPB Financial Corp. declared a cash dividend on the common stock of the Company bearing Cusip #302549 10 0. The dividend rate will be $0.14 per share and will be paid on September 24, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 10, 2010."

FPB Financial Corp. is headquartered in Hammond, LA and is the parent company of Florida Parishes Bank. The Company's common stock is traded under the "FPBF" symbol.

General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) July 28, 2010, Fairfield, CT, raised its quarterly dividend 20 percent from $0.10 per outstanding share of the company's common stock to $0.12 per outstanding share of the Company's common stock.

According to a news release, the board declared that the dividend is payable October 25, to shareowners of record at the close of business on September 20. The ex-dividend date is September 16.

In addition, the board extended the existing share-repurchase plan, which would have otherwise expired on Dec. 31, through 2013. Repurchases under the existing $15 billion repurchase plan were suspended on September 25, 2008.

The plan currently has approximately $11.6 billion in remaining authorization. The Company will resume repurchases under the plan this quarter.

"We are able to restore the GE dividend at a historical payout level for 2010 earlier than previously anticipated and to extend our share buyback program because of continued strong cash generation, recovery at GE Capital, and solid underlying performance in our Industrial businesses through the first half of 2010," GE CEO Jeff Immelt said. "In addition, the Company continues to plan on capitalizing on strategic and financially attractive inorganic growth opportunities.

"We are executing well, progressing on our plans to make GE Capital a smaller, more competitive specialty-finance company, and continuing to generate strong cash flow. This gives us the flexibility to allocate capital for growth and shareholder value, while keeping GE safe and secure."

GE is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company.

Genesis Energy, L.P. (AMEX:GEL) July 11, 2010, Houston, TX, announced its second quarter results. Significant events for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 included the following items:

For the second quarter of 2010, we generated total Available Cash before Reserves of $26.1 million. Available Cash for the same period in 2009 was $22.2 million. All of our segments reported improved results from the prior year period. Available Cash before

Reserves is a non-GAAP measure that is defined and reconciled later in this press release to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net cash provided by operating activities. Net cash utilized in operating activities was $2.6 million for the second quarter of 2010 and net cash provided by operating activities was $15.9 million for the second quarter of 2009.

Net income attributable to the Partnership for the second quarter of 2010 was $14.2 million, or $0.29 per common unit, as compared to net income attributable to the Partnership of $4.5 million, or $0.13 per unit, for the second quarter of 2009. See the Calculation of Net Income per Common Unit included in the tables at the end of this press release.

On June 29, 2010, we restructured our senior secured revolving credit agreement. Our credit agreement is now a $525 million facility, with an accordion feature whereby the total credit available can be increased up to $650 million. Among other changes, our new credit agreement includes a $75 million sublimit tranche for crude oil and petroleum products inventory and it now matures in June 2015.

On August 13, 2010, we will pay a total quarterly distribution of $17.8 million attributable to our financial and operational results for the second quarter of 2010, including $14.8 million payable to our common unitholders based on our quarterly distribution rate of $0.375 per unit, and $3.0 million payable to our general partner, which includes its incentive distribution amount. Our distribution coverage ratio -- Available Cash before Reserves divided by our total distribution attributable to the second quarter -- was approximately 1.5 times.

Our distribution attributable to the second quarter of 2010 will be our twentieth consecutive quarter with an increase in the per unit distribution. The quarterly distribution of $0.375 per unit represents a 2.0% increase in the distribution paid relative to the previous quarter and an approximately 8.7% increase over the year earlier period.

Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF) August 2, 2010 Los Angeles increased its dividend. Second quarter EPS increased 71.4 percent to $1.32 compared to the prior year period.

Board of Directors authorizes increase in quarterly cash dividend from $0.20 to $0.25.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the company reported net income of $81.9 million, or $1.32 per diluted share compared to $48.3 million or $0.77 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2009, primarily reflecting the contribution margin from higher volume combined with a lower effective tax rate, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the company generated cash flow from operations of $83.0 million, paid dividends of $12.0 million, invested $12.3 million in capital expenditures and repurchased $51.2 million in common stock. The company's net debt balanceat the end of the second quarter was $73.1 million, reflecting an improvement of $26.4 million from December 31, 2009.

"This quarter our distributors have truly outdone themselves and delivered the three highest months of volume in our 30-year history, which far exceeded even our most optimistic expectations," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael O. Johnson. "Not only was our growth broad-based, but some of the countries we have been operating in the longest like the United States, Mexico and Korea are each experiencing double-digit growth even though they have been open 30, 20 and 15 years respectively. These results demonstrate the opportunity in front of us as our distributors continue to build sustainable businesses with long-term customers."

During the second quarter the company hosted approximately 43,000 people at Extravaganzas in Nanjing, China, Rio de Janiero, Brazil and Singapore.

Herbalife Ltd. is a global network marketing company that sells weight-management, nutrition, and personal care products intended to support a healthy lifestyle. Herbalife products are sold in 73 countries through a network of approximately 2.1 million independent distributors. The company supports the Herbalife Family Foundation and its Casa Herbalife program to help bring good nutrition to children.

International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (NYSE: IFF) July 27, 2010, New York, NY is a global creator of flavors and fragrances for consumer products. IT announced that its board of directors authorized an increase in the company's quarterly cash dividend, raising it eight percent from $0.25 to $0.27. This marks the fifth increase in six years that the board has raised the dividend. The increased quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share will be paid on October 6, 2010 to all IFF shareholders of record as of September 22, 2010.

"IFF prides itself on its track record of returning cash to shareholders. Over the last five years, we have returned over $1.2 billion through the combination of share repurchases and dividends," said IFF Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doug Tough. "Today's announcement is further evidence of Management's and the Board's confidence in our long-term outlook."
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc., is a leading global creator of flavors and fragrances used in a wide variety of consumer products and packaged goods. Consumers experience these unique scents and tastes in fine fragrances and beauty care, detergents and household goods, as well as beverages, confectionery and food products. The Company leverages its competitive advantages of brand understanding and consumer insight combined with its focus on R&D and innovation, to provide customers with differentiated product offerings.

Kaydon Corporation (NYSE: KDN) July 29, 2010, Ann Arbor, MI, announced that its board of directors declared a 5.6 percent increase in its regular quarterly dividend, to $.19 per share from $.18 per share. The dividend is payable on October 4, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 13, 2010. The indicated annual dividend rate will now be $.76 per share. This is the fourth consecutive year in which the company has increased its quarterly dividend.

James O'Leary, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, "The Board of Directors of Kaydon shares management's confidence in the fundamental strength of the Company's businesses. Our businesses' demonstrated cash generating ability, together with our strong balance sheet, are reflected by this enhanced return to our shareholders."

Kaydon Corporation is a leading designer and manufacturer of custom engineered, performance-critical products, supplying a broad and diverse group of alternative energy, industrial, aerospace, medical and electronic equipment, and aftermarket customers.

Landstar System, Inc. (Nasdaq: LSTR) July 14, 2010, Jackson, FL announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share. This represents an 11 percent increase in the company's quarterly dividend. The dividend is payable on August 27, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 9, 2010. It is the intention of the board of directors to continue to pay a quarterly dividend. During the 2010 second quarter, Landstar purchased 510,062 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $20.6 million. Under the Company's authorized share purchase program, the Company currently has a total of 745,000 shares of its common stock available for purchase.

Landstar System, Inc. reported a 31 percent increase in revenue to $641.7 million in the 2010 second quarter, up from $491.2 million in the 2009 second quarter. Net income for the 2010 second quarter was $24.4 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, compared to $17.9 million, or $0.35 per diluted share for the 2009 second quarter. Operating income increased 34 percent to $40.0 million in the 2010 second quarter compared to $29.8 million in the 2009 second quarter.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by business capacity owners and truck brokerage carriers in the 2010 second quarter was $592.0 million, or 92 percent of revenue, compared to $453.8 million, or 92 percent of revenue, in the 2009 second quarter. Included in revenue hauled by truck brokerage carriers in the 2010 and 2009 second quarters were $23.1 million and $9.2 million, respectively, of fuel surcharges invoiced to customers. In the 2010 and 2009 second quarters, the Company also invoiced customers $53.1 million and $27.3 million, respectively, of fuel surcharges that were passed 100 percent to business capacity owners and excluded from revenue. Revenue hauled by rail, air and ocean cargo carriers was $35.0 million, or 6 percent of revenue, in the 2010 second quarter compared to $28.2 million, or 6 percent of revenue, in the 2009 second quarter. Transportation management fee revenue generated by the supply chain solutions companies was $6.1 million, or 1 percent of revenue, in the 2010 second quarter.

Landstar System, Inc. is a non-asset based provider of integrated supply chain solutions. Landstar delivers safe, specialized transportation, warehousing and logistics services to a broad range of customers worldwide utilizing a network of agents, third-party capacity owners and employees. All Landstar transportation companies are certified to ISO 9001:2008 quality management system standards.

Lindsay Corp. (NYSE: LNN) July 20, 2010, Omaha, NB, a provider of irrigation systems and infrastructure products, announced today that its board of directors has declared a 6 percent increase in its regular quarterly cash dividend to $0.085 per share, payable August 31, 2010, to shareholders of record on August 17, 2010. The regular quarterly cash dividend was previously $0.08 per share. The new annual indicated rate is $0.34 per share, up from the previous annual indicated rate of $0.32 per share.

Lindsay manufactures and markets irrigation equipment primarily used in agricultural markets which increase or stabilize crop production while conserving water, energy, and labor. The Company also manufactures and markets infrastructure and road safety products through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Barrier Systems Inc. and Snoline S.P.A.

Malaga Financial Corporation (OTCBB:MLGF), July 15, 2010, Palos Verdes Estates, CA, the parent company of Malaga Bank FSB, reported that net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 was $2,632,000 ($0.45 basic and $0.44 fully diluted earnings per share), an increase of $414,000 or 19% from net income of $2,218,000 ($0.39 basic and $0.38 fully diluted earnings per share) for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 was $5,072,000 ($0.87 basic and $0.86 fully diluted earnings per share) as compared to $4,629,000 ($0.81 basic and $0.80 fully diluted earnings per share) for the six months ended June 30, 2009, a 10% increase. Earnings for the second quarter and first six months were the highest in Malaga Financial’s history for those periods.

The company also reported its board of directors had elected to increase the company’s regular quarterly dividend from $.08 per share to $.10 per share to shareholders of record on July 12, 2010.

Net income increased primarily due to continued growth in interest earning assets and improvement in the interest rate spread.
The company did not have any delinquent loans or real estate owned at June 30, 2010. The company’s allowance for loan losses was $2,862,000, or 0.37% of total loans, at June 30, 2010.

Malaga Bank opened its first office in Palos Verdes Estates on March 14, 1985. As a full service community bank we have been serving the financial needs of the South Bay community for over 25 years. Malaga Bank offers a variety of personal banking products, business banking products and loan products that compare favorably with those at larger financial institutions. Malaga Bank's philosophy is to provide a broad range of financial products and services to the entire South Bay community with the best in hospitality and service to go along with them.

National Retail Properties, Inc. (NYSE: NNN), July 15, 2010, Orlando, FL a real estate investment trust, declared a quarterly dividend of 38 cents per share payable August 16, 2010 to common shareholders of record on July 30, 2010.

The dividend represents a 1.3% increase in the quarterly dividend rate. National Retail Properties has paid increased annual dividends per share for 20 consecutive years and is one of only 114 publicly traded companies in America that have increased annual dividends paid to shareholders for 20 or more
consecutive years.

National Retail Properties invests primarily in high-quality retail properties subject generally to long-term, net leases. As of March 31, 2010, the company owned 1,014 Investment Properties in 43 states with a gross leasable area of approximately 11.4 million square feet.

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. (NYSE: NHP) August 3, 3010, Newport Beach, CA, announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly common stock cash dividend of $0.46 per share, a $0.01 increase from the prior quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share. The dividend will be paid on September 3, 2010 to stockholders of record on August 20, 2010.

Nationwide Health Properties, Incis real estate investment trust (REIT) invests primarily in senior housing, long-term care properties and medical office buildings. The company’s operations are organized into two segments: triple-net leases and multi-tenant leases. In the triple-net leases segment, it invests in healthcare related properties and lease the facilities to unaffiliated tenants under triple-net and generally master leases that transfer the obligation for all facility operating costs (including maintenance, repairs, taxes, insurance and capital expenditures) to the tenant. In the multi-tenant leases segment, it invests in healthcare related properties that have several tenants under separate leases in each building, thus requiring active management and responsibility for many of the associated operating expenses (although many of these are, or can effectively be, passed through to the tenants).

Newmont Mining Corporation (NYSE: NEM) July 28, 2010, Denver, CO declared an increase in the company's regular quarterly dividend from $0.10 per share of common stock to $0.15 per share of common stock, payable September 29, 2010 to holders of record at the close of business on September 8, 2010.

In addition, Newmont Mining Corporation of Canada Limited (CA:NMC 56.96, 0.00, 0.00%) today declared a regular quarterly dividend of Cdn $0.1554 per share on its exchangeable shares, payable September 29, 2010 to holders of record at the close of business on September 8, 2010. This dividend is designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian tax purposes.

Newmont Mining Corporation (Newmont) is a gold producing company with assets or operations in the United States, Australia, Peru, Indonesia, Ghana, Canada, New Zealand and Mexico. It is also engaged in the production of copper, principally through its Batu Hijau operation in Indonesia and Boddington operation in Australia. At December 31, 2009, Newmont had proven and probable gold reserves of 91.8 million equity ounces and an aggregate land position of approximately 33,400 square miles (86,500 square kilometers). In June 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of the remaining 33.33% interest in Boddington from AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited (AngloGold).

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) July 27, 2010, Norfolk, VA announced that its board of directors today voted to increase the regular quarterly dividend on the company's common stock by 6 percent, or 2 cents per share, from 34 to 36 cents per share. The increased dividend is payable on Sept. 10, to stockholders of record on Aug. 6.

Since its inception in 1982, Norfolk Southern has paid dividends on its common stock for 112 consecutive quarters. The company is a transportation company. Its Norfolk Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 21,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial products.

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE:OHI) July 15, 2010, Hunt Valley, MD, announced that its board of directors declared a common stock dividend of $0.36 per share, increasing the quarterly common dividend by $0.04, or 12.5%, per share over the prior quarter, and declared its regular quarterly dividend for the Company’s Series D preferred stock.

The company announced its a common stock dividend of $0.36 per share, to be paid August 16, 2010 to common stockholders of record on July 30, 2010. At the date of this release the Company had approximately 95 million outstanding common shares.
The company’s board of directors also declared its regular quarterly dividend for the Series D preferred stock, payable August 16, 2010 to preferred stockholders of record on July 30, 2010. Series D preferred stockholders of record will be paid dividends in the approximate amount of $0.52344 per preferred share. The liquidation preference for the Company’s Series D preferred stock is $25.00 per share. Regular quarterly preferred dividends represent dividends for the period April 1, 2010 through July 30, 2010.

Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. is a real estate investment trust investing in and providing financing to the long-term care industry. At March 31, 2010, Omega owned or held mortgages on 293 skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and other specialty hospitals with approximately 34,279 licensed beds (32,835 available beds) located in 32 states and operated by 35 third-party healthcare operating companies. In addition, Omega has two closed facilities currently held for sale.

ONEOK, Inc. (NYSE: OKE) July 15, 2010, Tulsa, OK, increased the quarterly dividend to 46 cents per share of common stock from 44 cents per share, effective for the second quarter 2010, payable August 13, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business July 30, 2010.

"This dividend increase demonstrates our continuing commitment to providing attractive returns to our shareholders and is consistent with our 2010 cash flow guidance of increasing the dividend 2 cents per share semiannually," said John W. Gibson,
ONEOK president and chief executive officer.

Since January 2006, the company has increased the dividend nine times, representing a 64 percent increase during that period.

ONEOK, Inc. is a diversified energy company. The company is the general partner and own 42.8 percent of ONEOK Partners, L.P. one of the largest publicly traded master limited partnerships. ONEOK is an enterprise that gathers, processes, stores and transport natural gas in the U.S. and owns one of the nation's premier natural gas liquids (NGL) systems, connecting NGL supply in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions with key market centers. ONEOK is among the largest natural gas distributors in the United States, serving more than two million customers in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas.

Orrstown Financial Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: ORRF) July 22, 2010, Shippenburg, PA, Second quarter 2010 earnings up 13% vs. second quarter 2009. Second quarter 2010 cash dividend up 2.3% vs. second quarter 2009

Loan Loss Reserve up 97% since June 30, 2009

Nonperforming assets down 34% since March 31, 2010

Orrstown Financial Services announced that net income increased 13.0% to $3,904,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 from $3,454,000 for the second quarter of 2009. Diluted earnings per share amounted to $.47 for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 as compared to $.51 for the corresponding prior year period.

The company also announced that its board of directors declared an increase in the third quarter cash dividend to $.225 per share for shareholders of record on August 6, 2010. The dividend will be paid on August 18, 2010.

Commenting on the second quarter results, Thomas R. Quinn, Jr., President and CEO, stated: "The momentum created with record earnings in 2009 and a strong first quarter 2010 have continued through the midpoint of the year. Indicators of the financial strength of our Company this quarter include: increasing our dividend; improving earnings 13% vs. the same quarter last year; and significantly reducing nonperforming assets since the first quarter of 2010. In addition to the financial achievements realized this quarter, we were also named the 39th best performing community bank in the nation by US Banker magazine. This is an improvement from our ranking of 52nd the previous year and marks the 5th consecutive year that we have been part of this elite group.

With over $1.3 billion in assets, Orrstown Financial Services, Inc. and its subsidiary, Orrstown Bank, provide a full range of consumer and business financial services through twenty one banking offices and two remote service facilities located in Cumberland, Franklin and Perry Counties, Pennsylvania and Washington County, Maryland.

PetMed Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETS) August 2, 2010, Pompano Beach, FL announced that its board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.125 per share on its common stock, compared to the $0.10 per share dividend that has been paid in prior quarters. The dividend will be payable on August 27, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 13, 2010. The Company intends to continue to pay regular quarterly dividends; however the declaration and payment of future dividends is discretionary and will be subject to a determination by the Board of Directors each quarter following its review of the Company's financial performance.

Menderes Akdag, CEO and President, commented: "This 25% increase in our quarterly dividend further illustrates our continuing commitment to returning capital to our shareholders."

Founded in 1996, PetMed Express is America's Largest Pet Pharmacy, delivering prescription and non-prescription pet medications and other health products for dogs, cats, and horses at competitive prices direct to the consumer through its 1-800-PetMeds toll free number and on the Internet through its website at www.1800petmeds.com.

PPG Industries, Inc. (NYSE: PPG) July 15, 2010, Pittsburgh, PA, approved an increase in the company's dividend, declaring a regular quarterly dividend of 55 cents per share, payable Sept. 10 to shareholders of record Aug. 10.

"We are pleased to continue PPG's tradition of returning cash to our shareholders," said Charles E. Bunch, PPG chairman and chief executive officer. "This marks our second quarterly dividend rate increase within a year and demonstrates the confidence we have in the strength and consistent cash generation of our global business portfolio."

PPG's prior quarterly dividend was 54 cents a share.
This marks the company's 448th consecutive dividend payment. PPG has paid uninterrupted annual dividends since 1899.
PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the world's leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion.

Proctor and Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) July 13, 2010, Cincinnati, OH raised its dividend by 9.5 percent, or 4 cents per share.

The Cincinnati-based company whose brands include Tide detergent, Pampers diapers and Pantene shampoo, said Tuesday its board of directors increased the quarterly dividend to 48 cents per share, the second straight quarterly 4-cent increase.
The dividend is payable on or after Aug. 16 to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 23.

P and G reported rebounding sales in its third quarter, when they rose 7 percent as households responded to new products, price cuts and stepped-up marketing.

P and G says this is the 54th consecutive year it has increased dividends.

The Procter and Gamble Company is focused on providing branded consumer packaged goods. The company’s products are sold in over 180 countries worldwide primarily through mass merchandisers, grocery stores, membership club stores, drug stores and in high-frequency stores, the neighborhood stores, which serve consumers in developing markets. As of June 30, 2009, the company was organized into three Global Business Units: Beauty; Health and Well-Being, and Household Care. The Company had six business segments under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP): Beauty; Grooming; Health Care; Snacks and Pet Care; Fabric Care and Home Care, and Baby Care and Family Care. In August 2009, AnimalScan, LLC announced that it has acquired Iams Pet Imaging, LLC from The Procter and Gamble Company and ProScan Imaging. In July 2010, Sara Lee Corporation completed the sale of its air care business to The Procter and Gamble Company.

Republic Services Inc.'s (NYSE: RSG) August 2, 2010, Phoenix, AZ, second-quarter profit declined 29% on a prior-year divestiture gain as the garbage hauler also reported lower volume.

The company also announced its board approved a 5% dividend increase, resulting in a quarterly payment of 20 cents a share.
Republic Services, Inc. is engaged in the collection, transfer and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste. The Company provides non-hazardous solid waste collection services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through 376 collection companies in 40 states and Puerto Rico. The Company owns or operates 223 transfer stations, 192 active solid waste landfills and 78 recycling facilities. It also operates 74 landfill gas and renewable energy projects. The Company manages its operations through four segments: Eastern, Midwest, Southern and Western. In October 2009, Waste Services, Inc. completed an acquisition of the operations and related assets of Republic Services, Inc. in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

Resources Connection, Inc. (NASDAQ: RECN) July 20, 2010, Irvine, CA, announced that its board of directors has approved the commencement of a regular quarterly dividend of $0.04 per share. The first dividend will be payable to shareholders of record on August 18, 2010 and payable September 15, 2010. The company's board of directors will assess and approve future dividends quarterly.

"The board of directors is pleased to announce the inception of a regular $0.04 per share quarterly dividend," said Don Murray, chief executive officer of Resources. "Given our track record of positive cash generation even in a difficult economic environment, we believe a regular dividend provides a consistent way to return capital to shareholders, while still maintaining an adequate capital base to invest, as opportunities present themselves, in opportunities for growth."

Total revenue for the year ended May 29, 2010 was $499.0 million, down 27.2% from $685.6 million for fiscal 2009. Revenues in the U.S. in fiscal 2010 were down 23.5% from the prior year while international revenues in fiscal 2010 decreased 36.4% from the prior year (37.6% on a constant dollar basis).

The Company's net loss for the year ended May 29, 2010, was $11.7 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. This compares with net income for the year ended May 30, 2009, of $17.8 million, or $0.39 per diluted share.

Resources Global was founded in 1996 within a Big Four accounting firm. Today, we are a publicly traded company with over 2,700 professionals, annually serving 1,800 clients around the world from more than 80 practice offices.
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Resources Global has served 83 of the Fortune 100 companies.

RPC, Inc. (NYSE: RES) July 28, 2010, Atlanta, GA, announced that its board of directors declared a 50.0 percent increase in the regular quarterly cash dividend from $0.04 per share to $0.06 per share payable September 10, 2010 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on August 10, 2010.

RPC provides a broad range of specialized oilfield services and equipment primarily to independent and major oilfield companies engaged in the exploration, production and development of oil and gas properties throughout the United States, including the Gulf of Mexico, mid-continent, southwest, Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions, and in selected international markets.

Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) July 16, 2010, Miami, FL, a provider of transportation and supply chain management solutions, declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.27 per share of common stock, to be paid on September 17, 2010, to shareholders of record on August 23, 2010. The dividend reflects a $0.02 increase from the $0.25 cash dividend Ryder had been paying quarterly since September of 2009. This is Ryder's 136th consecutive quarterly cash payment.

"Ryder's management team and board of directors are pleased that our continuing solid cash flow and access to capital are enabling Ryder to deliver enhanced value to shareholders," said Ryder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Swienton. "This represents the sixth dividend increase that we have delivered to Ryder shareholders since early 2005."

"Ryder's management team and board of directors are pleased that our continuing solid cash flow and access to capital are enabling Ryder to deliver enhanced value to shareholders," said Ryder Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Greg Swienton. "This represents the sixth dividend increase that we have delivered to Ryder shareholders since early 2005."

Sealed Air Corporation (NYSE: SEE) July 27, 2010, Elwood Park, NJ
For second quarter 2010, sales increased 6% to $1.09 billion reflecting approximately 5% higher volumes and 3% favorable foreign exchange, partially offset by 1% lower price/mix. The Protective Packaging segment led the volume growth with a $33 million, or 12%, increase reflecting improved end-market demand in all regions through the quarter. Price/mix primarily reflects the timing of contract price adjustments for resin costs in our North American Food Packaging business. We expect these prices to continue to adjust favorably in the third quarter. Gross profit increased 4% to $301 million, or 27.6% of net sales, while operating profit increased 9% to $129 million, or 11.9% of net sales.

Commenting on our operating performance, William V. Hickey, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated:

"Volumes grew in all of our businesses and in all of our regions for the first half of the year. While growth in our food businesses was modest, it exceeded customer production volumes in the period. Although our growth was partially driven by a modest economic improvement, we are seeing the benefits of our steadfast commitment to innovation and technology even in the face of economic uncertainty. Our results also reflect the strength of our portfolio, international footprint, and continued strong equipment demand. We began to realize benefits from our pricing actions in May and expect these benefits to continue through the balance of the year along with favorable third quarter contract adjustments.

Today, we are announcing an 8% increase in our cash dividend. This increase reflects our confidence in our ability to generate solid cash flow while funding opportunities for long term growth and our commitment to return cash to our stockholders."

For fifty years, Sealed Air has been a leading global innovator and manufacturer of a wide range of packaging and performance-based materials and equipment systems that now serve an array of food, industrial, medical, and consumer applications.

Operating in 51 countries, Sealed Air's international reach generated revenue of $4.2 billion in 2009. With widely recognized brands such as Bubble Wrap(R) brand cushioning, Jiffy(R) protective mailers, Instapak(R) foam-in-place systems and Cryovac(R) packaging technology,.

Solera Holdings, Inc. Increases Quarterly Dividend 20%; Announces Cash Dividend for Fiscal Year 2011 First Quarter

Solera Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SLH), July 19, 2010 San Diego, FL, a global provider of software and services to the automobile insurance claims processing industry, announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in its quarterly dividend of 20% per share of outstanding common stock and per outstanding restricted stock unit.

This increase translates into an annual rate of $0.30 cents per share of outstanding common stock and per outstanding restricted stock unit, up from Solera's fiscal 2010 annual rate of $0.25.

Solera also announced that its board of directors has approved the payment of a quarterly cash dividend of $0.075 per share of outstanding common stock and per outstanding restricted stock unit payable on September 22, 2010 to stockholders and restricted stock unit holders of record at the close of business on September 9, 2010.

"An annual review of our dividend is an essential component of our capital allocation strategy, and I'm pleased to announce this increase," said Tony Aquila, founder, chairman and CEO of Solera Holdings, Inc. "This increase reflects our continued strong financial performance, confidence in our cash generation capabilities and commitment to enhancing total stockholder returns while we maintain our focus on our M and A strategy."

Solera is the leading global provider of software and services to the automobile insurance claims processing industry. Solera is active in over 50 countries across six continents. The Solera companies include Audatex in the United States, Canada, and in more than 45 additional countries, Informex in Belgium and Greece, Sidexa in France, ABZ and Market Scan in The Netherlands, HPI in the United Kingdom, Hollander serving the North American recycling market, AUTOonline providing salvage disposition in a number of European and Latin American countries, and IMS providing medical review services.

Spectra Energy Partners, LP (NYSE: SEP) July 20, 2010, Houston, TX, announced the board of directors of its general partner declared a quarterly cash distribution to unitholders of $0.43 per unit for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. This represents a 2.4 percent increase over the first quarter 2010 distribution of $0.42 per unit paid on May 14, 2010, and a 13.2 percent increase over the second quarter 2009 distribution of $0.38 per unit. The cash distribution is payable on August 13, 2010, to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 3, 2010. This quarterly cash distribution equates to $1.72 per unit on an annual basis.

Stanley Black and Decker (NYSE: SWK) July 16, 2010, New Britain, CT, announced that its board of directors approved a 3% increase of its quarterly cash dividend to $0.34 per common share. This extends the company’s record for the longest consecutive annual and quarterly dividend payments among industrial companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The dividend is payable on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on Friday, September 3, 2010.

John F. Lundgren, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are as focused as ever on the total return we deliver to shareholders. Stanley Black and Decker’s ability to generate consistent free cash flow and return a portion to shareholders by way of our dividend remains a key component to our capital allocation strategy.”

Stanley Black and Decker is a diversified global provider of hand tools, power tools and related accessories, mechanical access solutions and electronic security solutions, engineered fastening systems, and more.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) July 21, 2010, Seattle, WA, board of directors has declared an increased cash dividend to its shareholders. The quarterly dividend of $0.13 per share, an increase of 30 percent from $0.10 per share, will be paid on August 20, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 4, 2010.

"Given the continued strength of our business, as evidenced by record third-quarter earnings and the resulting strong cash flow, we have increased our quarterly cash dividend," said Troy Alstead, executive vice president and cfo. "Our commitment to returning value to our shareholders is demonstrated in both the increased cash dividend and the repurchase of 6.7 million shares of Starbucks common stock in the third quarter."

TESSCO Technologies Incorporated (NASDAQ: TESS) July 21, 2010, Hunt Valley, MD, a provider of the product and value chain solutions required to deploy and support wireless systems, today announced its results for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 ending June 27, 2010.

The company will continue its quarterly dividend program with another $0.10 per common share cash dividend payable on August 25, 2010 to holders of record on August 11, 2010. This represents a 50% increase compared to the quarterly dividends the company paid when it initiated its dividend program in August 2009.

Any future declaration of dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, is subject to further determinations of the company's board of directors.

"I am extraordinarily proud that we grew revenues 30% over last year's first quarter, on top of last fiscal year's records, all in a still uncertain economic environment," said Robert B. Barnhill, TESSCO's Chairman, President and CEO. "This performance was a result of excellent execution on the three pillars of our strategic plan:

"As a result we sold more product categories to a record number of customers, and entered new markets and introduced new products and solution areas, with a strong balance sheet and profitability.

"We are off to a terrific start in the new fiscal year and look forward to growing momentum as the year progresses and we accelerate the execution of our strategic plan."

Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 totaled $142.0 million compared to $108.8 million in the fiscal 2010 first quarter, an increase of 30.5%. Gross profit for the 2011 first quarter was $32.3 million, or 22.8% of revenue, compared to $29.0 million, or 26.7% of revenue, in the prior-year period. This decrease in margin primarily reflected changes in product mix in our mobile devices and accessories business, mostly related to our concentrated business. EBITDA* totaled $4.5 million in the 2011 first quarter compared to $4.3 million in the prior-year period. The company reported net income of $2.1 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the first quarter of fiscal 2011, compared to $1.9 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, in the prior-year quarter. Earnings per share for all periods presented are adjusted for the 3-for-2 stock split that took effect on May 26, 2010.

As of June 27, 2010, the company's cash balance totaled $4.7 million and there was no balance outstanding on the revolving line of credit.

UDR Inc. (NYSE: UDR) August 2, 2010 Highland Ranch, CO, a multifamily real estate investment trust UDR Inc. announced its second-quarter FFO declined by 15% from last year, hurt by lower same-store revenue, and higher expenses despite higher occupancy levels. However, the company raised its FFO outlook as well as its annual dividend for fiscal 2010, citing "better than expected improvement" in operating performance.

The Highlands Ranch, Colorado-based company reported funds from operations of $45.7 million or $0.27 per share for the second quarter, down from $53.7 million or $0.34 per share in the prior year quarter.

The result for the latest quarter included a one-time charge of $0.01 per share for storm-related expenses to its Nashville communities, and charges for the repurchase of $29.2 million of the company's unsecured debt.

Excluding these one-time charges, FFO-Core dropped to $0.28 per share from $0.32 per share in the year-ago quarter.

Net loss attributable to common shareholders widened to $28.9 million or $0.18 per share from $14.9 million or $0.10 per share in the second quarter of 2009.

Second quarter rental income increased to $153.9 million from $151.8 million in the same quarter last year. Eleven analysts had a consensus revenue estimate of $151.98 million for the second quarter.

Same-store revenue declined 2.1% year-over-year, while net operating income (NOI) decreased 3.4% for the second quarter 2010. Same-store physical occupancy increased 30 basis points to 95.8% over a year ago.

United Financial Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: UBNK) July 16, 2010, West Springfield, MA, the holding company for United Bank (the "Bank"), reported net income of $2.9 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2010 compared to net income of $560,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the corresponding period in 2009.

Excluding expenses totaling $1.2 million related to the acquisition of Commonwealth National Bank (non-deductible for income tax purposes), net income would have been $1.7 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2009.
The company also announced a 14% increase in its quarterly cash dividend to $0.08 per share, payable on August 27, 2010 to shareholders of record as of August 6, 2010.

"We are very pleased with our financial results which reflect net interest margin expansion, growth in average loans and deposits, lower provision for loan losses and an increase in fee income," commented Richard B. Collins, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our performance is indicative of a positive contribution from our new Worcester market, as well as our focus on profitably growing our franchise, maintaining solid asset quality and improving our operating efficiency. We believe we are well positioned for this challenging economic environment given our healthy balance sheet, substantial capital base and strong liquidity level."

United Financial Bancorp, Inc. is a publicly owned corporation and the holding company of United Bank, a federally chartered savings bank headquartered at 95 Elm Street, West Springfield, MA 01090. United Bank operates 16 full service branch offices and two express drive-up branches located throughout Hampden and Hampshire Counties in Western Massachusetts and six full service branch offices located in Worcester County. Through its Wealth Management Group and its partnership with NFP Securities, Inc., the Bank is able to offer access to a wide range of investment and insurance products and services, as well as financial, estate and retirement strategies and products.

Vanguard Natural Resources, LLC (NYSE: VNR) July 21, 2010, Houston, TX, announced that its board of directors has approved an increase in the quarterly distribution to $0.55 per unit ($2.20 on an annual basis) for the second quarter of 2010 which will be payable on August 13, 2010 to unitholders of record on August 6, 2010.

With this increase, the company will have increased its quarterly distribution by $0.025 per unit or approximately 5% over the first quarter 2010 distribution of $0.525 per unit and over the course of the last twelve months will have increased the distribution by 10%. Based on Vanguard's closing unit price on July 20, 2010 of $24.12 and an annualized distribution of $2.20 per unit, new investors can earn an attractive tax-deferred yield of approximately 9%.

Richard A. Robert, Executive Vice-President and CFO of Vanguard, commented, "We are very pleased to be able to increase the cash distributions to our unitholders as a result of our successful acquisition activity in the first half of 2010. Our ability to increase our quarterly distribution is predicated on growing our Company through acquisitions. With our renewed ability to access the equity capital markets and our recently increased borrowing base on our reserve-based credit facility we are excited about our future prospects for growth."

Vanguard Natural Resources, LLC is a publicly traded limited liability company focused on the acquisition, production and development of natural gas and oil properties. Vanguard's assets consist primarily of producing and non-producing natural gas and oil reserves located in the southern portion of the Appalachian Basin, the Permian Basin, South Texas and Mississippi.

ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: VPFG/VPFGD), July 23, 2010, Plano, TX, the holding company for ViewPoint Bank, announced a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share. The cash dividend is payable on August 19, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 5, 2010.

This $0.04 per share cash dividend represents a 12% increase over the dividend paid by ViewPoint Financial Group in the second quarter, once that $0.05 per share second quarter dividend is adjusted by the 1.40:1 exchange ratio applied to ViewPoint Financial Group shares as part of our conversion and related stock offering completed on July 6, 2010.

Prior to that conversion, ViewPoint MHC, the owner of approximately 57%, or 14,183,182, of the shares of ViewPoint Financial Group, waived its right to receive dividends from ViewPoint Financial Group. This waiver resulted in a total dividend expense in April 2010 of $537,000.

Under its new stock holding company structure, ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc. will pay dividends on a share base of 34,864,800 shares, resulting in a total dividend payout in August 2010 of approximately $1.4 million.
ViewPoint Financial Group, Inc. is the holding company for ViewPoint Bank. ViewPoint Bank operates 23 community bank offices and 16 loan production offices.

Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG) July 14, 2010, Deerfield, IL increased its quarterly dividend 27.3 percent to 17.5 cents per share from the previous rate of 13.75 cents per share. The dividend is payable Sept. 11, 2010, to shareholders of record Aug. 19, 2010. The dividend increase raises the annual rate from 55 cents per share to 70 cents per share.

"This increase reinforces our commitment to provide meaningful returns to our shareholders and extends our track record of strong annual dividend growth,” said Walgreens President and CEO Greg Wasson. “We are confident in our growth strategies and our ability to generate strong free cash flow in the future."

Walgreens has paid a dividend in 311 straight quarters (more than 77 years) and has raised its dividend for 35 consecutive years. The company has increased its dividend by a compound annual growth rate of 24.3 percent over the last six years.
Walgreens is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2009 sales of $63 billion. The company operates 7,541 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers access to consumer goods and services and pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility, long-term care and mail service, along with pharmacy benefit solutions and respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems, pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector.

Walgreens Take Care Health Systems subsidiary is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.

W and T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) August 2, 2010 Houston, TX, announced that its board of directors on August 2, 2010 increased the regular cash quarterly dividend to $0.04 per share from $0.03 per share, payable to the holders of the Corporation's common shares. The dividend will be payable on September 10, 2010, to the shareholders of record on August 20, 2010.

Tracy W. Krohn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are pleased to be able to increase our quarterly dividend and reward our shareholders for their ongoing support. This action reflects our continued confidence in W&T Offshore's ability to continue to generate strong cash flow."

W and T Offshore is an independent oil and natural gas company focused primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, including exploration in the deepwater and deep shelf regions, where it has developed significant technical expertise. W&T has grown through acquisitions, exploitation and exploration and currently holds working interests in approximately 72 producing fields in federal and state waters. The majority of the Company's daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T Offshore, please visit its Web site at

Western Gas Partners, LP (NYSE: WES) July 20, 2010, The Woodlands, TX, announced second-quarter 2010 financial and operating results. Net income available to limited partners for the second quarter of 2010 totaled $22.9 million, or $0.35 per limited partner unit (diluted). The Partnership’s second-quarter Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $38.5 million and distributable cash flow(1) was $35.4 million, resulting in a coverage ratio(1) of 1.45 times or the period.
Total throughput attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP for the second quarter of 2010 averaged 1,364 MMcf/d, essentially flat compared to the prior quarter and approximately 8 percent below the second quarter of 2009. These results include the net throughput attributable to the acquired Chipeta and Granger assets for all periods of comparison.

Capital expenditures attributable to Western Gas Partners, LP totaled approximately $4.0 million during the second quarter of 2010. Of this amount, maintenance capital expenditures were approximately $3.7 million, or 10 percent of Adjusted EBITDA.
“Our operating results for the quarter reflect the continued improvement in our cost structure while maintaining relatively stable throughput year-to-date,” said Western Gas Partners’ President and Chief Executive Officer Don Sinclair. “We are pleased with the contribution of our Granger and Chipeta acquisitions to our portfolio’s distributable cash flow. These systems, which are situated in two key liquids-rich basins in the Rockies, continue to benefit from ongoing drilling activity due to favorable producer economics.”

The Partnership previously declared a quarterly distribution of $0.35 per unit for the second quarter of 2010, payable on August 13, 2010 to unitholders of record at the close of business on July 30, 2010, representing a 3-percent increase over the prior quarter and a 13-percent increase over the second-quarter 2009 distribution of $0.31 per unit. The second-quarter 2010 coverage ratio of 1.45 times is based on the quarterly distribution of $0.35 per unit.

Westfield Financial, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFD) July 21, 2010, Westfield, MA, the holding company for Westfield Bank, reported a net loss of $(386,000) or $(0.01) per diluted share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, compared to net income of $1.1 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the same period in 2009. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, net income was $1.0 million or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to $2.3 million or $0.08 per diluted share for the same period in 2009.

James C. Hagan, Chief Executive Officer stated, “On July 20, 2010, the board of directors declared a regular cash dividend of $0.06 per share. This represents a 20% increase in our regular quarterly dividend and is payable on August 18, 2010 to all shareholders of record on August 4, 2010.”

Westfield Financial, Inc. is the holding company for Westfield Bank, which is headquartered in Westfield, Massachusetts and operates through 11 banking offices in Agawam, East Longmeadow, Feeding Hills, Holyoke, Southwick, Springfield, West Springfield and Westfield, Massachusetts. The Bank’s deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

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 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Laura Franks.

Aug 9, 2010 1:28:00 PM (1 month ago)

Seminarian Joey Heath organizing Freedom School. Candy Bennett's INFORM for July 26, 2010.

On the July 26th episode of INFORM we met Joey Heath, a seminary student in his second year at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Currently this summer Joey is an intern with the Broad Street United Methodist Church.

Broad Street United Methodist Church in partnership with the Children’s Defense Fund is launching a Freedom School. Freedom School is a 6 week summer youth development program serving the ages of 5 to 18, with a focus on literacy development and civic engagement. The participants will utilize a curriculum developed by the Children Defense Fund. The program will launch summer of 2011.

The Freedom School will operate in the Broad Street United Methodist Church at 501 East Broad Street. If you are interested in volunteering or desire to make a financial donation to the cause of literacy, you can contact Pastor David Meredith or Joey Heath at 221.4571.

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 broadcasting as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM 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 WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Candy Bennett.

Aug 2, 2010 12:12:00 PM (1 month ago)

Art Access Gallery exhibition Nicholas Hall and Jean Kirsten. Candy Bennett's INFORM for July 23, 2010.

On a special episode of INFORM we meet the curators of Art Access Gallery, Gail and Barb. Their current exhibition is titled International Impressions featuring American artist, Nicholas Hall and German artist, Jean Kirsten.

Nicholas Hall is a Professor of Art at Otterbein College where he teaches printmaking. The pieces that are prominently displayed in the gallery represent his work in the medium of printmaking featuring the architectural elements of Dresden, Germany.

Jean Kirsten was born in Dresden, Germany; he met Nicholas in 2009 where they participated in an exhibit, Visual Dialogues, at the Vern Riffe Gallery, where Nicholas Hall was curator.

Mr. Hall’s pieces showcase the industrial austerity of Dresden, with added textural elements of wax. He employed a process known as encaustic. Encaustic painting involved the application of hot wax and prepared hot wood which was developed by the Greeks.

In the work of each artist, you can see and feel the emotions of energy flowing from the canvases.

Art Access Gallery is located at 540 South Drexel Avenue.

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 broadcasting as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM 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 WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Candy Bennett.

Aug 2, 2010 12:05:00 PM (1 month ago)

Update No. 5: Bexley Public Radio timeshare negotiations.

When last updated on July 26, 2010, BPRF had accepted SL's offer of the noon to midnight time-slot in the timeshare agreement.

The paperwork to submit that timeshare amendment for FCC approval has been on SL's desk since June 14, 2010.

The agreement between SL and BPRF is that SL has the midnight to noon time-slot seven days a week and BPRF has the noon to midnight time-slot seven days a week.

The paperwork expressing this agreement was signed by BPRF and delivered to SL for its signature on June 14.

Informally, SL has said that it did not make an offer to BPRF of the noon to midnight time-slot, seven days a week.

In any event, SL has not yet signed the June 14 paperwork for submission to the FCC.

Last Thursday, July 29, SL filed with the FCC a Form 314 Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Construction Permit or License. The application proposes to assign SL’s license to an organization identified as The Neighborhood Network (TNN).

By letter dated July 30, 2010 BPRF informed TNN that BPRF and SL are signatories to a timeshare agreement, previously approved by the FCC. The rights created in the timeshare agreement are binding on the successors to SL and SL is prohibited from assigning its interest under the timeshare agreement, without the prior written consent of BPRF and other signatories.

SL has not delivered any paperwork for BPRF to sign giving consent for a transfer of the SL broadcast license to anyone.

BPRF has not consented to an assignment of SL’s rights under the timeshare agreement to any organization.

BPRF has invited some of the officers and board members identified in the Form 314 to meetings to discuss TNN’s plans and for BPRF to evaluate whether BPRF and SL should cancel the agreement for noon to midnight timeshare divisions and substitute in its place a consent by BPRF to a transfer to TNN of SL’s rights under the timeshare agreement.

Summary of these developments in the timeshare negotiations:

SL offered and BPRF accepted a noon to midnight split seven days a week for BPRF and a midnight to noon split seven days a week for SL.

SL informally has said that it did not make a noon to midnight split, seven days offer for acceptance by BPRF.

On June 14, BPRF delivered paper work to SL expressing the noon to midnight split and midnight to noon split. BPRF has signed the paperwork. SL has not signed the paperwork.

On July 29, SL filed a Form 314 with the FCC requesting approval of a transfer of its license to TNN.

On July 30, BPRF invited some of the officers and board members of TNN to discuss their plans.

Aug 1, 2010 2:48:00 PM (1 month ago)

Update No. 4: Bexley Public Radio time share negotiations

By letter dated July 22 and received by BPRF on July 26, 2010, SL declined to negotiate with ADJ as a representative of BPRF.

SL said that it is “committed to defining a collaborative relationship between WCRX and WCRS, one in which both licensees collaborate in sharing the frequency and the 24/7 clock.”

SL also wrote that “we reject BPRF’s proposed time share split per the letter dated June 15…”

BPRF observation: SL now wants to define a "collaborative relationship." Any dictionary definition of "collaborative relationship" is acceptable to BPRF.

SL has already made agreements with BPRF that, in sum, are an existing collaborative relationship.

BPRF has been collaborating with SL since 2003.

In the seven years since 2003, BPRF has made several agreements with SL.

Most importantly, BPRF has signed a timeshare agreement with SL.

SL and BPRF have made three oral agreements as to operations (refer all general press inquiries to Professor Koch at Capital University, no funding source piracy, and coordination of all press releases). BPRF has abided by these oral agreements.

Through its three years use of BPRF's transmitter and antenna, SL is subject to BPRF's January 2007 protocol as to hourly charges and SL is obliged under the protocol to make certain insurance and foreign language certifications. SL is in breach of the protocol. BPRF has collaborated with SL as to use of BPRF's equipment.

Finally, BPRF has accepted SL's offer of the noon to midnight time slot in the timeshare agreement. The paperwork to submit that timeshare amendment for FCC approval has been on SL's desk since June 14, 2010.

SIGN THE PAPERWORK SIMPLY LIVING.

SL, demonstrate your commitment to collaboration. SIGN THE PAPERWORK.

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 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010 WCRX-LP Human Rights Activist.

Jul 27, 2010 2:59:00 AM (1 month ago)

Feng Shui and the art of listening to Bexley Public Radio.

Car radios receive the WCRX-LP signal everywhere within the I-270 circle of concrete that surrounds metropolitan Columbus.

Inside houses and buildings, listeners complain about reception problems. And even no reception at all.

The usual advice for solving these problems is to buy a better radio.

Other solutions that listeners have used include adjusting the lay of the AC power cord attached to the radio. If the radio has an extension antenna, adjusting the antenna and the body of the radio also provide possible solutions.

In addition to these solutions, Lee Edmondson offers a unique approach to reception problems she experienced in her Bexley residence.

Lee’s solution is to apply principles of feng shui to connecting to Bexley Public Radio.

Lee lives near Alum Creek in Bexley and had difficulty receiving the WCRX-LP signal in her residence.

Lee is familiar with feng shui principles and decided to apply them in positioning her radio for receiving Bexley Public Radio.

She began by unplugging her radio and setting it near the center of her residence.

She then relaxed in the approximate center of her first floor and near the radio.

After achieving a calmness and becoming aware of her surroundings she concentrated on her purpose in applying feng shui.

This seemingly simple task turned out to be the most difficult part of the Lee’s exercise.

Her purpose was more than receiving an electronic signal from a distant transmitter and antenna.

As Lee relaxed and focused her mind, the list of purposes grew. Hearing the voices of friends, hearing information on local events in her neighborhood. Listening to lunch specials at Bexley lunch spots. Arranging her tasks according to cultural events scheduled near her residence. Distraction from vexatious problems. Relaxation. All these purposes came to her mind.

During this initial process, the complexity of Lee’s purposes began to resolve itself into Lee’s recognition of Ch’i.

She continued this exercise by making a mental inventory of the objects in her residence. She observed them in relationship to the geometric planes of her rooms and hallways.

She also noted the moveable objects in her yard. And, the living fixed objects, trees, shrubs and grasses were also noted.

Her awareness of stationary objects, the buildings, sidewalks, driveways and curbs, were tinctured with an understanding of their ages, purposes and condition.

Lee concentrated on each of these objects, those inside and outside. She made mental notes as to how the objects helped her achieve purposes that were connected to why she wanted to receive the Bexley Public Radio signal.

This exercise resulted in Lee identifying several objects in her house that were no longer needed and she gave them away. In particular, she understood that a table was a major impediment to receiving the Bexley Public Radio signal. She gave the table away. A simple, very ordinary charitable gesture.

Lee then moved to each of the major entrances to her first floor. At each of the doors and windows, she relaxed and concentrated on her purposes.

She also moved her location and concentration to the major openings on her second floor.

From this exercise she identified locations that were conducive to her purpose. And Lee experimented, plugging the radio into locations that were compatible with her identification of Ch’i. Her north wall parallels East Main Street was important in its relationship to Ch'i. The microwave, whether working or not, was a major impediment. A ficus tree was very compatible with Ch'i. Her plug-in clean scent was compatible with Ch'i and the aroma was helpful in Lea's mental efforts.

Outside, Lee made a concentrated effort to identify the contours of the land in her neighborhood. She also developed an awareness of the dominance of nearby Alum Creek in relation to Ch’i.

Lee began this process in late summer '08 after the Summer Equinox and continued the process until the Winter Solstice, making adjustments to the location of objects inside and outside her residence.

This exercise of feng shui has been successful and Lee receives Bexley Public Radio on her home radio.

The reception is still imperfect but it is real and helps Lee achieve her purposes in listening to Bexley Public Radio.

Relaxation.

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 broadcasting as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM 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 WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Design is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2008. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation.

Jul 21, 2010 1:17:00 PM (2 months ago)

Laura Franks Dividend Note No. 27 for Bexley Public Radio.

This is my Dividend Note No. 27 as of July 15, 2010.

Even in unsettled financial times, increased dividends are a breath of fresh air.

These are thirty companies most of which increased dividends during the last two weeks of June and first two weeks of July. Most are American companies.

Three of the companies are involved in interesting lines of business: Big 8 Split holds a portfolio of the common shares of the major Canada banks and insurance companies. The financial institutions are Bank of Montreal, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Royal Bank of Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Great-West Lifeco Inc., Manulife Financial Corporation, and Sun Life Financial Inc.

Another interesting business is Computer Services, Inc. a Paducah, Kentucky provider of software applications to financial institutions and other businesses.

A second Canadian enterprise that caught my eye is Empire Company. The diversity of its operations seemed interesting. Empire Company is engaged in food retailing, real estate, and investments and other operations.

Government Properties Income Trust is just what its name implies: The trust owns real estate that it leases to government agencies.

1. Alcon
2. Anworth Mortgage Asset Corporation
3. Best Buy Co., Inc
4. Big 8 Split Inc.
5. Caterpillar Inc.
6. Commonwealth REIT
7. Computer Services, Inc.
8. Darden Restaurants
9. Duke Energy
10. Empire Company, Limited
11. Enterprise Products Partners LP
12. Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
13. First Trust/FIDAC Mortgage Income Fund
14. Freeport-McMoRan-Copper and Gold Inc.
15. General Mills
16. Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
17. John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II
18. KLA-Tencor Corporation
19. Lincare Holdings, Inc.
20. Medtronic, Inc.
21. MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.
22. MV Oil Trust
23. MDU Resources Group, Inc
24. MKS Inc.
25. National Semiconductor Corporation
26. Peoples Financial Corporation
27. PetSmart, Inc.
28. Plains All American Pipeline
29. Stage Stores, Inc.
30. UGI Corporation

Alcon, Inc. (NYSE:ACL) May 20, 2010 Huenberg, Switzerland announced the following actions were taken by shareholders at the company's Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held today in Zug, Switzerland:
Approved a dividend of 3.95 Swiss francs per share to be paid on June 9, 2010 to shareholders of record on May 26, 2010, U.S. dollar equivalent of $3.42 per share based on exchange rates in effect on May 20, 2010.

Alcon, Inc. is an eye care company, with sales of approximately $6.5 billion in 2009. Alcon, which has been part of the world-wide ophthalmic industry for 65 years, researches, develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceuticals, surgical equipment and devices, contacts lens solutions and other vision care products that treat diseases, disorders and other conditions of the eye. Alcon operates in 75 countries and sells products in 180 markets

Anworth Mortgage Asset Corporation (NYSE:ANH) July 9, 2010 Santa Monica, CA announced that, in accordance with the terms of Anworth’s 8.625% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock, or Series A Preferred Stock, the board of directors declared a Series A Preferred Stock dividend of $0.539063 per share for the third quarter of 2010. The Series A Preferred Stock dividend is payable on October 15, 2010 to holders of record of Series A Preferred Stock as of the close of business on September 30, 2010. The dividend reflects the accrual from July 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010, or 90 days of a 360-day year.

Also, in accordance with the terms of Anworth’s 6.25% Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, or Series B Preferred Stock, the board of directors declared a Series B Preferred Stock dividend of $0.390625 per share for the third quarter of 2010. The Series B Preferred Stock dividend is payable on October 15, 2010 to holders of record of Series B Preferred Stock as of the close of business on September 30, 2010. The dividend reflects the accrual from July 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010, or 90 days of a 360-day year.

As announced, on June 30, 2010, the board of directors declared a quarterly common stock dividend of $0.25 per share, which is payable on July 27, 2010 to holders of record of common stock as of the close of business on July 9, 2010. When Anworth pays a cash dividend during any quarterly fiscal period to its common stockholders in an amount that results in an annualized common stock dividend yield greater than 6.25% (the dividend yield on the Series B Preferred Stock), the conversion rate on the Series B Preferred Stock is adjusted based on a formula specified in the Series B Preferred Stock prospectus supplement (and also available on the “Series B Pfd. Stock Conversion” page of Anworth’s web site at http://www.anworth.com). As a result of this dividend, the conversion rate will increase from 3.2317 shares of Anworth’s common stock to 3.2990 shares of its common stock effective July 12, 2010.

Anworth is a mortgage real estate investment trust that invests primarily in securities guaranteed by U.S. Government-sponsored agencies, such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae. Anworth generates income for distribution to shareholders primarily based on the difference between the yield on its mortgage assets and the cost of its borrowings.

Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) June 24, 2010 Richfield, MN today announced an increase in the company’s quarterly cash dividend to 15 cents per common share, a 7-percent increase compared with the existing dividend of 14 cents per common share. The change will be effective with the quarterly dividend which, if authorized, would be payable on Oct. 26, 2010, to shareholders of record as of Oct. 5, 2010. Best Buy paid its first cash dividend in December 2003. The company had 420,061,666 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of May 29, 2010.

Best Buy has operations in the United States, Canada, Europe, China, Mexico and Turkey. Best Buy is a multinational retailer of technology and entertainment products and services. The Best Buy brands and partnerships collectively generates more than $49 billion in annual revenue and includes brands such as Best Buy, Best Buy Mobile, Audiovisions, The Carphone Warehouse, Five Star, Future Shop, Geek Squad, Magnolia Audio Video, Napster, Pacific Sales and The Phone House. Best Buy employs a labor force of180,000 men and women at retail locations, multiple call centers and Web sites, in-home solutions, and product delivery.

Big 8 Split Inc. (TSE: BIG.A, BIG.PR.C and BIG.PR.B) Toronto, Ontario, Canada, July 08, 2010 announced today that it has declared a quarterly dividend on its Preferred Shares of $0.21 per Class B Preferred Share and $0.1725 per Class C Preferred Share. In addition a quarterly dividend on its Class A Capital Shares was declared of $0.09125 per Class A Capital Share, representing an increase of $0.01 per Class A Capital Share. The dividends on the Class B Preferred Shares, Class C Preferred Shares and Class A Capital Shares are all payable on September 15, 2010 to holders of record on August 31, 2010.

Big 8 Split was established to generate dividend income for the Preferred Shares while providing holders of the Capital Shares, with a leveraged opportunity to participate in capital appreciation from a portfolio of common shares of Bank of Montreal, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Royal Bank of Canada, The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Great-West Lifeco Inc., Manulife Financial Corporation, and Sun Life Financial Inc.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) June 28, 2010 raised the quarterly cash dividend by two cents to forty-four ($0.44) cents per share of common stock, payable August 20, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business, July 20, 2010.

"During the global economic turmoil of 2009, Caterpillar maintained its dividend rate, while also strengthening the company's balance sheet and improving cash flow. Now we are pleased to reward stockholders with dividend growth, which underscores Caterpillar's global reach and the strength of our business model," said Caterpillar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Owens. "With this increase, Caterpillar has paid higher dividends to its stockholders for 17 years in a row."

The $0.44 dividend is an increase of five percent over the previous rate of $0.42 per share. Including the announcement today, Caterpillar has paid a cash dividend every year since the company was formed in 1925, and its cash dividend has nearly tripled since 1998.

Commonwealth REIT (NYSE: CWH) July 6, 2010 Newton, MA announced its quarterly common and preferred dividends. On June 15, 2010, the company announced a name change from HRPT Properties Trust to CommonWealth REIT, a ticker change from HRP to CWH, a 1-for-4 reverse stock split, and an increase in its quarterly common dividend per share. CWH's quarterly common and preferred dividends are as follows:

Common Dividends A common dividend of $0.50 per Common Share will be paid with respect to the results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, to holders of record of Common Shares as of the close of business on July 26, 2010, and will be distributed on or about August 25, 2010.

Series B Preferred Dividends A distribution of $0.5469 per Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Share will be paid on or about August 16, 2010, to holders of record of Series B Preferred Shares at the close of business on August 1, 2010.
Series C Preferred Dividends A distribution of $0.4453 per Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Share will be paid on or about August 16, 2010, to holders of record of Series C Preferred Shares at the close of business on August 1, 2010.
Series D Preferred Dividends A distribution of $0.4063 per Series D Cumulative Convertible Preferred Share will be paid on or about August 16, 2010, to holders of record of Series D Preferred Shares at the close of business on August 1, 2010.
CommonWealth REIT is a nationwide office and industrial real estate investment trust, or REIT. As of March 31, 2010, CWH owned 518 properties with 66.8 million square feet located in over 60 markets in 34 states and Washington, DC. CWH is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts.

A Maryland Real Estate Investment Trust with transferable shares of beneficial interest listed on the New York Stock Exchange. No shareholder, Trustee or officer is personally liable for any act or obligation of the Trust.

Computer Services, Inc. (OTC PINK: CSVI) July 6, 2010, Paducah, KY announced that its board of directors approved a 15.8% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.11 per share. The dividend is payable on September 24, 2010, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on September 1, 2010. The increase in the quarterly dividend is up from $0.095 per share and represents an indicated annual dividend rate of $0.44 per share on the new rate of $0.11 per share.

"This is the company’s 22nd consecutive annual increase in its cash dividend.

Computer Services, Inc provides core banking, payments processing, Internet, card services, risk assessment, fraud prevention, network management, regulatory compliance and document delivery solutions to financial institutions and corporate entities across the nation.

Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) June 23, 2010, Orlando, FL
board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 32 cents per share, a 28% increase from the previous quarterly dividend.

The dividend is payable on August 2, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 9, 2010.

Darden Restaurants, Inc) operates a full-service restaurant company and served approximately 404 million meals during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 (fiscal 2009). As of May 31, 2009, the Company operated through subsidiaries 1,773 restaurants in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the Company operated 1,738 restaurants in 49 states (the exception being Alaska), including 661 Red Lobster, 685 Olive Garden, 321 LongHorn Steakhouse, 37 The Capital Grille, 24 Bahama Breeze, eight Seasons 52 and two specialty restaurants: Hemenway’s Seafood Grille & Oyster Bar and The Old Grist Mill Tavern. In Canada, it operated 35 restaurants, including 29 Red Lobster and six Olive Garden restaurants.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) June 22, 2010, Charlotte, NC, declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.245 per share, an increase of a half-cent over the previous level. The dividend is payable on Sept. 16, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business Aug. 13, 2010.

"The dividend increase announced today is consistent with our previously stated objective to continue growing the dividend but at a slower rate than the long-term growth in our adjusted-diluted earnings per share," said James E. Rogers, chairman, president and CEO. "During this period of significant reinvestment in the business, our board has recognized the importance of delivering returns to our investors while maintaining the strength of our balance sheet."

This is the 84th consecutive year that Duke Energy has paid a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock.

Empire Company Limited (TSE: EMP.A.T) June 25, 2010, Stellarton, Nova Scotia, Canada, announced that fourth-quarter earnings and revenue came in ahead of year-earlier levels on solid performances from both its food retailing and real estate businesses, prompting it to boost its quarterly dividend by 8%.

Empire Company is engaged in food retailing, real estate, and investments and other operations. Food retailing is carried out through wholly owned Sobeys Inc. (Sobeys). The real estate business is carried out through a wholly owned operating subsidiary ECL Properties Limited (ECL), which includes a 100% interest in ECL Developments Limited (ECL Developments), as well as a 35.7% interest in Genstar Development Partnership and a 43.3% interest in Genstar Development Partnership II (Genstar) and a 47.9% interest in Crombie REIT. Its investments and other operations consist primarily of a 27.6% interest in Wajax Income Fund, wholly owned ETL Canada Holdings Limited and Kepec Resources Limited. On April 22, 2008, the Company’s real estate division, through Sobey Leased Properties, sold 61 properties to Crombie REIT.

Enterprise Products Partners LP, (NYSE: EPD) July 14, 2010, Houston, TX, said in a news release that it increased its quarterly cash distribution to 57.5 cents per common unit from 54.5 cents.

Enterprise will pay the dividend on Aug. 5 to shareholders of record as of July 30.

Enterprise said the second-quarter dividend marks the 24th consecutive quarterly dividend increase.

Enterprise Products Partners L.P. is a North American midstream energy company providing a range of services to producers and consumers of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), crude oil, refined products and certain petrochemicals. The company is engaged in the development of pipeline and other midstream energy infrastructure in the continental United States and Gulf of Mexico. It operates through its subsidiary, Enterprise Products Operating LLC. It has five segments: NGL Pipelines & Services; Onshore Natural Gas Pipelines & Services; Onshore Crude Oil Pipelines & Services; Offshore Pipelines & Services, and Petrochemical & Refined Products Services. On October 26, 2009, the related mergers of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries with TEPPCO Partners, L.P. and Texas Eastern Products Pipeline Company, LLC were completed. In May 2010, the Company purchased the State Line and Fairplay natural gas gathering and treating systems from subsidiaries of M2 Midstream LLC.

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXPD), May 6, 2010, Seattle, WA announced that its Board of Directors has declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $.20 per share, a 5% increase from the $.19 per share semi-annual dividend declared in 2009. The dividend will be payable on June 15, 2010 to shareholders of record as of June 1, 2010.

Expeditors is a global logistics company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. The company employs trained professionals in 182 full-service offices, 65 satellite locations and 4 international service centers located on six continents linked into a seamless worldwide network through an integrated information management system. Services include air and ocean freight forwarding, vendor consolidation, customs clearance, marine insurance, distribution and other value added international logistics services.

First Trust/FIDAC Mortgage Income Fund (the "Fund") (NYSE: FMY) July 12, 2010, Wheaton, IL increased the Fund’s regularly scheduled monthly common share distributions for August, September and October to $0.16 per share.

The distribution increase is primarily due to lower than expected losses on the non-agency portion of the portfolio.

These distributions are being declared at this time in order to meet the Fund’s distribution requirements for tax purposes. It is anticipated that the monthly distribution for November will be declared on its regular schedule on or around October 20, 2010.

The majority, and possibly all, of this distribution will be paid out of net investment income earned by the Fund. A portion of this distribution may come from net short-term realized capital gains or return of capital. The final determination of the source and tax status of all distributions paid in 2010 will be made after the end of 2010.

The Fund is a diversified, closed-end management investment company that seeks to provide a high level of current income. As a secondary objective, the Fund seeks to preserve capital. The Fund pursues these investment objectives by investing primarily in mortgage-backed securities representing part ownership in a pool of either residential or commercial mortgage loans that, in the opinion of the Fund’s investment sub-advisor, offer an attractive combination of credit quality, yield and maturity.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX) June 24, 2010, Phoenix, AZ declared a cash dividend of $0.30 per share payable on August 1, 2010 to holders of record as of July 15, 2010 for its common stock.

As previously announced in April 2010, FCX's Board of Directors authorized an increase in the annual cash dividend on its common stock from $0.60 per share to $1.20 per share, payable quarterly at a rate of $0.30 per share. The declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of FCX's Board of Directors and will depend on FCX's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board.

FCX is an international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. FCX operates large, long-lived, geographically diverse assets with significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum. FCX has a dynamic portfolio of operating, expansion and growth projects in the copper industry and is the world's largest producer of molybdenum.

General Mills (NYSE: GIS) June 28, 2010 Minneapolis, MN announced an increase in the quarterly dividend rate to $0.28 per share, payable Aug. 2, 2010, to shareholders of record July 12, 2010. The new annualized dividend rate of $1.12 per share represents a 17 percent increase over dividends of $0.96 per share paid in fiscal 2010.

"Strong and growing cash dividends are an important component of General Mills' total return to our shareholders," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ken Powell. "The dividend increase announced today is a reflection of our company's robust financial condition and excellent future growth prospects." General Mills and its predecessor firm have now paid shareholder dividends without interruption or reduction for 111 years. Based on the June 25, 2010, closing price of $37.34 for General Mills common shares, the new annualized dividend rate represents a yield of 3 percent.

The General Mills Board also approved an authorization for the company to repurchase up to 100 million common shares. The new authorization replaces the previous repurchase authorization established in December 2006, and has no expiration date.
All per share figures in this press release are adjusted for the recent two-for-one stock split.

Government Properties Income Trust (NYSE: GOV) July 2, 2010 Newton, MA has raised its quarterly common share distribution to $0.41 per share ($1.64 per share per year). GOV completed its initial public offering, or IPO, in June 2009 and it has paid dividends at the rate of $0.40 per share per quarter ($1.60 per share per year) since its IPO.   This distribution of $0.41 per share will be paid to GOV's common shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 16, 2010 and distributed on or about August 16, 2010. The ex-dividend date is July 14, 2010.

Government Properties Income Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company was formed to invest in properties that are leased to government tenants. The Company owns 29 properties, 25 of which are leased primarily to the United States Government and four of which are leased to the states of California, Maryland, Minnesota and South Carolina, respectively. The Company’s properties contain approximately 3.3 million rentable square feet and are located in 14 states and the District of Columbia. As of March 31, 2009, tenants occupied approximately 16.2% of the Company’s rentable square feet and contributed approximately 14.1% of its pro forma rental income. Prior to the IPO, the company was a wholly-owned subsidiary of HRPT Properties Trust (HRPT).

Healthcare Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HCSG) July 13, 2010, Bensalem, PA, reported that revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased 13% to $192,954,000 compared to $170,896,000 for the same 2009 period. Net income for the three months ended June 30, 2010 increased 12% to $8,721,000 or $.20 per basic and per diluted common share, compared to the 2009 second quarter net income of $7,815,000 or $.18 per basic and per diluted common share.

Revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased 14% to $376,755,000 compared to $331,305,000 for the same 2009 period. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2010 increased 4% to $16,149,000 or $.37 per basic and $.36 per diluted common share compared to the 2009 six month period net income of $15,551,000 or $.36 per basic and $.35 per diluted common share.

The board of directors has declared a second quarter 2010 regular quarterly cash dividend of $.23 per common share, payable on August 6, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business July 23, 2010. This represents a 5% increase over the dividend declared for the 2010 first quarter and a 21% increase over the 2009 same period payment. It is the 29th consecutive regular quarterly cash dividend payment, as well as the 28th consecutive increase since our initiation of regular quarterly cash dividend payments in 2003.

John Hancock Patriot Premium Dividend Fund II (NYSE: PDT) July 1, 2010, Boston, MA, announced today it will increase its monthly distribution rate by 7.09% to $0.0755 per share, up from the previous month's distribution rate of $0.0705 per share. The increased distribution rate is effective with the Fund's next distribution payment on July 30, 2010 and is payable to holders of record on July 12, 2010 with an ex-dividend date of July 8, 2010.

On an annualized basis, the new distribution level equates to a net asset value ("NAV") distribution rate of 8.40% and a market value distribution rate of 8.84% based on the Fund's NAV of $10.79 and closing share price of $10.25 on June 30, 2010.

Over the past twelve months ended June 30, 2010, there have been several positive developments that management believes have led to the Fund's ability to increase its distribution, including:
An increase in the overall dividend yield of the Fund's portfolio – the new distribution rate more closely reflects the Fund's current earnings.

The cost of leverage under the Fund's committed facility agreement has decreased when compared to the prior twelve month period.

A slight increase in ownership of preferred stocks, which tend to have higher yields than common stock.

A portion of a Fund's current distribution may include sources other than net investment income, including a return of capital.

The Boston-based mutual fund business unit of John Hancock Financial, John Hancock Funds, manages more than $57.9 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds, private accounts, retirement plans and related party assets for individual and institutional investors at March 31, 2010.

KLA-Tencor Corporation (NASDAQ: KLACC) July 13, 2010, Milpitas, CA , announced that its board of directors has authorized an increase of the level of the company's quarterly dividend from $0.15 to $0.25 per share. This increase is expected to take effect beginning with KLA-Tencor's quarterly dividend to be declared in August 2010. This represents a 67% increase compared to the prior quarterly dividend and is the second dividend increase since KLA-Tencor first instituted its dividend in April 2005.

"KLA-Tencor's strong cash flows and solid balance sheet provide us the financial flexibility to return significant cash to our shareholders while also providing the capacity to fuel our growth initiatives," said Rick Wallace, president and chief executive officer of KLA-Tencor. "We remain committed to increasing shareholder value through executing our strategic objectives of customer focus, growth, operations excellence, and talent development," Wallace added. "This increase in the level of the dividend reflects our confidence in the outlook for KLA-Tencor and our commitment to rewarding our shareholders for their continued investment."

KLA-Tencor is the world leader in yield management and process control solutions for semiconductor manufacturing and related nanoelectronics industries. Headquartered in Milpitas, California, the company has sales and service offices around the world.

Lincare Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LNCR) June 22, 2010, Clearwater, FL, announced that its board of directors has approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend payable at an annual rate of $0.80 per share of common stock outstanding. The first quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share will be paid on July 29, 2010 to stockholders of record as of July 15, 2010. The ex-dividend date for the quarterly dividend is July 13, 2010.
John P. Byrnes, Lincare's Chief Executive Officer, said, "The announcement today of the initiation of a cash dividend reflects our confidence in the Company's long-term growth opportunities and financial strength. We are pleased to have the financial flexibility to continue investing in our business while also returning a portion of our profits to our shareholders through this dividend."

Mr. Byrnes added, "In addition to the payment of cash dividends, the Company expects to allocate future operating cash flow to capital investment, share repurchases, business acquisitions and payment of long-term obligations."

Lincare, headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, is one of the nation's largest providers of respiratory therapy and other services to patients in the home. The Company provides services and equipment to more than 750,000 customers in 48 states through 1,071 local centers.

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) June 24, 2010, Minneapolis, MN announced that the company will increase its quarterly dividend by 9% to $.225 per share.

“This dividend further demonstrates the board of directors’ and management’s confidence in Medtronic’s ability to generate cash and return capital to shareholders,” said William Hawkins, chairman and CEO. “We expect we will return a minimum of 40 to 50 percent of our free cash flow to shareholders each year while making disciplined, strategic investments for sustainable earnings growth.”

Medtronic, Inc. headquartered in Minneapolis, provides medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

The dividend will be payable on July 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 9, 2010.h

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. (NYSE: MSM) June 30, 2010, Melville, NY, announced that its board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.22 per share, representing an increase of $0.02 per share in the regular quarterly dividend. The $0.22 dividend is payable on July 27, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 13, 2010.

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. is a direct marketer and distributor of Metalworking and Maintenance, Repair and Operations ("MRO") supplies to industrial customers throughout the United States. MSC distributes approximately 600,000 industrial products from approximately 3,000 suppliers to approximately 330,000 customers. In-stock availability is approximately 99%, with next day standard delivery to the contiguous United States on qualifying orders up until 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. MSC reaches its customers through a combination of approximately 29 million direct-mail catalogs and CD-ROMs, 95 branch sales offices, 949 sales people, the Internet and associations with B2B eCommerce portals.

MV Oil Trust (NYSE: MVO) July 6. 2010, Austin, TX announced its quarterly dividend of 96.5 cents per share, an increase of about 60% over its prior dividend in April of 60.5 cents.

MV Oil Trust is a statutory trust formed by MV Partners, LLC (MV Partners). The Trust was formed to acquire and hold a term net profits interest for the benefit of the Trust unitholders.

MV Partners is a limited liability company engaged in the exploration, development, production, gathering, aggregation and sale of oil and natural gas, primarily in the Mid-Continent region in the United States. The term net profits interest is an interest in underlying properties consisting of MV Partner's net interests in all of its oil and natural gas properties located in the Mid-Continent region in the states of Kansas and Colorado (the underlying properties). These oil and gas properties include 1,000 producing oil and gas wells.

MDU Resources Group, Inc. (NYSE: MDU) June 21, 2010, Bismarck, ND, increased the company’s quarterly common stock dividend to 15.75 cents per share, for an annualized dividend of 63 cents per share. The previous quarterly dividend was 15.5 cents per share.

“We are very proud of our company’s record of returning value to shareholders,” said Harry J. Pearce, chairman of the board. “This is the 19th consecutive year that we have increased the common stock dividend, and we have a 72-year unbroken record of consecutive dividend payments that stretches back to 1937.

MDU Resources is a diversified natural resource company. Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (Montana-Dakota), a public utility division of the Company, through the electric and natural gas distribution segments, generates, transmits and distributes electricity and distributes natural gas in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Cascade Natural Gas Corporation (Cascade), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of MDU Energy Capital, distributes natural gas in Oregon and Washington. Intermountain Gas Company (Intermountain), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of MDU Energy Capital, distributes natural gas in Idaho. In August 2009, the Company acquired the assets of Total Corrosion Solutions Inc. (TCS), a full-service cathodic protection company.

MKS Inc. (TSE: MKX) June 8, 2010 Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, l announced that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of US$0.175 per share on the Company's outstanding common shares, an increase of US$0.025, or 17% from the prior dividend rate of US$0.15 per share. The cash dividend on MKS common shares will be payable on July 15, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2010.

MKS is a lifecycle management (ALM) technology provider that enables software engineering and IT organizations to manage their worldwide software development activities. With its flagship product, MKS Integrity, MKS offers support for all software development activities through a single enterprise application, resulting in better global collaboration and higher productivity. MKS supports customers worldwide with offices across North America, Europe and Asia.

National Semiconductor Corporation (NYSE: NSM) July 14, 2010, Santa Clara, CA announced that its board of directors, at a regularly scheduled meeting, has declared a cash dividend of $0.10 per outstanding share of common stock. The new dividend, which is an increase from the prior quarter's dividend of $0.08 per common share, will be paid on Oct. 12, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Sept. 20, 2010.
National Semiconductor's fully diluted weighted average share count was 243.6 million shares for the fourth quarter of fiscal of 2010, which ended May 30, 2010.

National Semiconductor provides power management technology. Known for its easy-to-use analog integrated circuits and supply chain, National's analog products enable its customers' systems to be more energy efficient National reported sales of $1.42 billion for fiscal 2010.

Peoples Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: PFBX), June 23, 2010, Biloxi, MS, parent of The Peoples Bank, declared a regular semiannual cash dividend of $.11 per common share, payable July 16, 2010, to stockholders of record July 9, 2010.

The dividend represents 10% increase over the $.10 per common share paid for the second half of 2009.

"We are pleased that our earnings have stabilized and are starting to recover, giving our Board of Directors the confidence to raise the dividend to our shareholders," said Chevis C. Swetman, chairman and chief executive officer of the bank and the holding company. "We remain committed to returning about 35% of our earnings to our stockholders," he added.

The dividends on common stock had been increased eleven consecutive times until July, 2009, when the first of two reductions was announced. "We have weathered a very painful economic storm, which makes this dividend increase all the more significant. Our bank remains strongly capitalized and ready to do business," said Swetman.

Founded in 1896, with $866 million in assets as of March 31, 2010, The Peoples Bank operates 16 branches along the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson and Stone counties. In addition to a comprehensive range of retail and commercial banking services, the bank also operates a trust and investment services department that has provided customers with financial, estate and retirement planning services since 1936.

PetSmart, Inc. (NASDAQ: PETM) June 21, 2010, Phoenix, AZ , is a pet specialty retail company. It announced the board of directors' approval to increase its quarterly dividend by 25% from $0.10 to $0.125 per share beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. The board of directors also authorized a new $400 million share purchase program that expires in January 2012. This will replace the $350 million program approved by the Board in June 2009, including the $103 million that remained available under that program.

"PetSmart continues to generate cash well above the amount needed for optimal reinvestment in our business," said Bob Moran, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The return of excess cash to our stockholders through a combination of dividends and share repurchases reaffirms the stability and predictability of our cash flow as well as demonstrating the continued strength of our business."

The dividend of $0.125 will be paid on August 13, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on July 30, 2010. This is equivalent to an annual rate of $0.50 per share.

PetSmart, Inc. is the largest specialty pet retailer of services and solutions for the lifetime needs of pets. The company employs approximately 45,000 associates and operates more than 1,160 pet stores in the United States and Canada, 165 in-store PetSmart PetsHotel(R) cat and dog boarding facilities, and is a leading online provider of pet supplies and pet care information. PetSmart provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and pet products; and offers complete pet training, pet grooming, pet boarding, PetSmart(R) Doggie Day Camp(SM) pet day care services and pet adoption services. Since 1994, PetSmart Charities, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization and the largest funder of animal welfare efforts in North America, has provided more than $109 million in grants and programs benefiting animal welfare organizations. Through its in-store pet adoption partnership with PetSmart Charities(R), PetSmart has helped save the lives of more than 4 million pets.

Plains All American Pipeline (NYSE: PAA) July 13, 2010, Houston, TX, announced a cash distribution of $0.9425 per unit ($3.77 per unit on an annualized basis) on all of its outstanding limited partner units. The distribution will be payable on August 13, 2010, to holders of record of such units at the close of business on August 3, 2010.

This distribution represents an increase of approximately 4.1% over the quarterly distribution of $0.9050 per unit paid in August 2009 and an increase of approximately 0.8% from the May 2010 distribution of $0.9350 per unit. As of this distribution, PAA will have increased its quarterly distribution to limited partners in 23 out of the past 25 quarters.

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. is a publicly-traded master limited partnership engaged in the transportation, storage, terminalling and marketing of crude oil, refined products and liquefied petroleum gas and other natural gas related petroleum products. Through its general partner interest and majority equity ownership position in PAA Natural Gas Storage, L.P. (NYSE: PNG), PAA is also engaged in the development and operation of natural gas storage facilities. PAA is headquartered in Houston, Texas

Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) June 14, 2010, Houston, TX, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a 50% increase in the Company’s quarterly cash dividend to 7.5 cents per share from the previous quarterly rate of 5 cents per share. The new quarterly dividend rate of 7.5 cents per share will be applicable to dividends declared after June 23, 2010.

Commenting on the increase in the Company’s quarterly cash dividend, Andy Hall, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are pleased to announce a significant increase in our quarterly cash dividend. This increase illustrates our continued confidence in the Company’s strong cash flow and earnings growth capability. As we are committed to maximizing shareholder returns, we will monitor legislative and tax law changes to ensure that our dividend policy remains an effective and efficient means of delivering value to our shareholders.”

Stage Stores, Inc. brings nationally recognized brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family to small and mid-size towns and communities through 774 stores located in 39 states. The Company operates its stores under the five names of Bealls, Goody’s, Palais Royal, Peebles and Stage.

UGI Corporation, (NYSE: UGI) April 27, 2010, Valley Forge, PA, increases its dividend by 25%. UGI is a holding company with propane marketing, utility and energy marketing subsidiaries, approved an increase in the quarterly dividend of 25% to $0.25 per share on the company's common stock. This increases the annualized dividend rate to $1.00 per share. The dividend is payable July 1, 2010 to shareholders of record as of June 15, 2010. This represents UGI's 23rd consecutive annual increase and its 126th consecutive annual dividend.

Lon R. Greenberg, chairman and chief executive officer of UGI, said, "The substantial dividend increase reflects our confidence in UGI's future prospects and cash flows. The success of our growth initiatives over the past several years, coupled with strong cash flows from operations, led us to raise our dividend significantly above our stated target rate of 4% per year, as we did in 2004 and again in 2005. Given the opportunities for long term growth in each of our businesses, we remain confident that we will continue to meet our goals of growing earnings per share at a long term average rate of 6% to 10% per year and growing our dividend at a rate of 4% per year."

"We recognize that our shareholders value a balance of income and growth and we believe this dividend increase provides that balance," continued Greenberg. "The additional dividend payout will bring our payout ratio toward the upper end of our stated range of 35% to 45% for the next couple of years."

UGI is a holding company with propane marketing, utility and energy marketing subsidiaries. Through subsidiaries, UGI owns 44% of AmeriGas Partners, L.P. the nation's largest retail propane marketer, and owns Antargaz, one of the largest LPG distributors in France.

Jul 15, 2010 9:14:00 PM (2 months ago)

Update No. 3: Bexley Public Radio time share negotiations

LAST UPDATE WAS MONDAY JUNE 14, 2010 WHERE WE REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: ON MONDAY JUNE 14, 2010, BPRF DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING TO CRIS, CU AND SL.

June 14, 2010

To all:

BPRF withdraws the proposed Amendment No. 1 of even date herewith whereby BPRF would broadcast during the 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. time slot and SL would broadcast during the 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. time slot.

BPRF accepts the SL offer made in an email of June 13, 2010 for BPRF to have the 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight time slot and SL would have the 12:00 midnight to 12:00 noon time slot.

DEVELOPMENTS SINCE OUR JUNE 14, 2010 ENTRY ARE AS FOLLOWS: ON JUNE 16, DURING AN INFORMAL PHONE CONVERSATION, AN SL EXECUTIVE TOLD AN ADJ CONSULTANT THAT SL DID NOT INTEND THE SL JUNE 13 EMAIL ABOUT THE 12:00 NOON TO 12:00 MIDNIGHT SPLIT TO BE AN OFFER THAT BPRF COULD ACCEPT.

OTHER THAN THIS INFORMAL TELEPHONE COMMUNICATION, SL HAS NOT RESPONDED TO BPRF’S ACCCEPTANCE OF SL’S JUNE 13, 2010 OFFER OF A 12:00 NOON TO 12:00 MIDNIGHT SPLIT.

ON JULY 8, 2010, BPRF (THROUGH ADJ) SENT A PROPOSAL TO SL WHEREBY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS PAYABLE TO BPRF ARE TRADED FOR SOME SERVICES AND OTHER MATTERS TO BE PERFORMED BY SL.

EXCEPT FOR AN EMAIL OF JULY 15, 2010. SL HAS NOT RESPONDED TO BPRF’S JULY 8, 2010 PROPOSAL. THE SL JULY 15, 2010 EMAIL WAS FROM AN SL EXECUTIVE WHO SAID THAT A RESPONSE WOULD BE MADE AT SOME INDEFINITE FUTURE DATE.

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 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010 WCRX-LP Human Rights Activist.

Jul 15, 2010 7:38:00 PM (2 months ago)

COMEDIAN RENE' BRAY TO VISIT WCRX By Dianne Garrett

I am very pleased to announce that nationally known comedian, Rene' Bray, will be joining me on "Eastside Now!" August 4, 2010. Rene' is a friend of mine who originally hails from Wilmington, Ohio, which is my hometown. She has been a successful stand up comedian for many years, and continually uses her celebrity to assist charitable organizations. Rene' has agreed to co-host my show for the entire 11-1 time slot, and will be sharing details of her latest goodwill tour to benefit "Lawyers for Warriors".

Many military personnel are struggling with legal issues back home in the United States while serving their country overseas. It is time for the American people to ban together and help these service men and women in their time of crisis. There is a newly formed Florida-based non-profit organization called Lawyers for Warriors. Their mission is to provide pro bono legal services to members of the United States armed forces, especially those who are deployed to hostile fire zones. They also provide legal help to recently returned veterans and their families. Even though Lawyers for Warriors just started in January this year, it is getting new cases every day. For example, a special forces officer in Afghanistan sent an email to the organization in need of help. He had been living with his family in Tampa when he was deployed. Because of his deployment, he moved his family back to his hometown in another state. The property management company now wants the balance of his lease, as well as refusing to return his security deposit. In another case, a soldier who had been injured and paralyzed while serving in Afghanistan, was served his foreclosure papers while recovering in the hospital. The suicide rate for military troops deployed to Iraq is on the rise. Investigators have found that financial problems, failed relationships and legal issues were the main reasons why they took their lives.

Rene' Bray, a comedian in Florida who tours the United States, who has been featured on several talk shows, is combining efforts with Johnny Mac, a comedian in Jacksonville who hosts "The Johnny Mac Show," to bring the "Stand Ups for the Troops Comedy Tour". This tour has been scheduled in many comedy clubs throughout the United States to raise money for Lawyers for Warriors. The tour kicks off July 13 in St. Petersburg, FL. In Ohio, the duo will be appearing at the Funny Bone in Dayton August 11, and the Funny Bone in Cincinnati August 18. Log on to www.lawyersforwarriors.org to get ticket information for the tour.

Bray will cause a lot of laughter at the comedy show, but most importantly, she will help everyone to feel a sense of patriotism. She is proud of her military experiences. Her father served in the Navy and stepfather retired from the Air Force. "Many of my friends' children are serving. I have met many amazing service people through the years while doing comedy at different military installations. Most memorable is a comedy tour at Gitmo in Cuba," explained Bray. She has been performing comedy for more than 20 years, and has appeared on television shows such as Geraldo, Montel Williams, Jenny Jones, Rolando and ABC's 20/20. She has testified before the Senate, and is a strong advocate against child sexual assault in addition to supporting the military. "I wanted to help with this charity for several reasons. First, I know people involved and their dedication is immeasurable. Second, it is my way of giving back, which I think is very important. Most of all, there is a very healing power to laughter, and I think everyone needs a huge dose of that medicine right now," shared Bray.

Mac also has several years of experience as a comedian, and has performed in numerous comedy clubs and colleges. He echoes Bray's sentiments in supporting the American troops. "Many of our soldiers are coming back from the war, only to find their own personal war here at home with legal issues, foreclosures and more. We are here to help and hopefully you can join us," said Mac. Special guests will also join Bray and Mac at the different venues. It is definitely a show you won't want to miss.

I've personally seen her on stage. Her stage performance is unforgettable and hilarious. She saunters onto the stage with a shy smile and old fashion southern charm. She manages to explain parts of her life, and the lives of others, with biting wit that leaves the audiences laughing, even after the show is over.

Besides her television appearances, she has opened for recording artists Little Texas, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steppenwolf, KC and the Sunshine Band, The Redhot Chili Peppers, REO Speedwagon and Taylor Dane. Rene' opens and emcees for The Chippendale Dancers and Suncoast Calendar Men. She has headlined in over 500 comedy clubs in the USA, Canada and Caribbean Islands, and was the first comedian to perform at Guantanamo Bay Cuba.

So tune in on August 4, and have lunch with Rene' Bray and Dianne Garrett. It could be one of the most entertaining lunch you've ever had!

Jul 13, 2010 6:01:00 PM (2 months ago)

CPAC meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. August 2, 2010.

Community Programming Advisory Committee meeting for Bexley Public Radio.

4:30 p.m. Monday August 2, 2010.

Community residents are welcome.

Admission is $10.00 per person.

Chairwoman Laura Franks
Community Programming Advisory Committee
Bexley Public Radio Foundation
2700 E. Main St., Suite 208
Columbus, OH 43209

Jul 4, 2010 12:31:00 PM (2 months ago)

UPDATE MONDAY JUNE 14, 2010: ON MONDAY JUNE 14, 2010, BPRF DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING TO CRIS, CU AND SL.

June 14, 2010

To all:

BPRF withdraws the proposed Amendment No. 1 of even date herewith whereby BPRF would broadcast during the 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. time slot and SL would broadcast during the 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. time slot.

BPRF accepts the SL offer made in an email of June 13, 2010 for BPRF to have the 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight time slot and SL would have the 12:00 midnight to 12:00 noon time slot.
POSTED BY WCRX-LP EDITORIAL COLLECTIVE AT 7:59 AM 0 COMMENTS
LABELS: 102.1 FM, BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO, BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO. WCRX-LP, SIMPLY LIVING, TIMESHARE

AMENDMENT NO. 1
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
(UNIVERSAL TIMESHARE AGREEMENT)
IN RESPONSE TO SL EMAIL DATED JUNE 13, 2010

In response to the SL Email dated June 13, 2010, this Amendment No. 1 to the Settlement Agreement (Universal Timeshare Agreement) is made as of the 20th day of June, 2010 by and among Bexley Public Radio Foundation, Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Capital University, Groveport Madison Local School District and Simply Living (hereinafter, singularly, “Signatory,” collectively, the “Signatories”).

WHEREAs, Each of the Signatories to this Amendment No. 1 is also a party to the Settlement Agreement dated October 29, 2003 and each of the Signatories agreed to the certain and definite allocation of broadcast time on FM Channel 271 that was made in the Settlement Agreement;

WHEREAS, The allocation of time in the Settlement Agreement was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (hereinafter “Commission”);

WHEREAS, Signatory Bexley Public Radio and Signatory Simply Living have been granted licenses to cover by the Commission and are presently broadcasting respectively as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM and WCRS-LP, 102.1 FM.
WHEREAS, Bexley Public Radio is broadcasting during the time period granted to it in the Settlement Agreement.
WHEREAS, Signatory Simply Living is broadcasting in the time periods granted to it in the Settlement Agreement. Simply Living has stopped broadcasting during time periods allocated to Signatory Groveport Madison Local School District and Signatory Community Refugee and Immigration Services in the Settlement Agreement.
WHEREAS, Signatory Bexley Public Radio Foundation has not agreed to any broadcasts by Signatory Simply Living during the time periods allocated to Signatory Groveport Madison Local School District and Signatory Community Refugee and Immigration Services.
WHEREAS, Construction permits awarded by the Commission to Groveport Madison Local School District and Community Refugee and Immigration Services have expired and are non-renewable;

WHEREAS, The application for a construction permit of Capital University has expired and is nonrenewable;

WHEREAS, The public interest will best and most fully be served by grant of this Amendment No. 1 because such grant will conserve the resources of the Commission and of the Signatories and bring about radio broadcast during additional time periods;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the terms and conditions set forth herein, and with the intent of being legally bound hereby, the Signatories agree to the following Amendment No. 1:

The existing text of numbered section 6 and numbered section 7 of Article II are deleted and replaced with the following text:

6. Hours of Operation. The Applicants hereby request that the Commission grant each Application subject to the following hours of operation:

Weekdays (M-F)

12:00 p.m. noon to 12:00 a.m. midnight Bexley Public Radio Foundation

12:00 a.m. midnight to 12:00 p.m. noon Simply Living

Weekends (Sa & Su)

12:00 p.m. noon to 12:00 a.m. midnight Bexley Public Radio Foundation

12:00 a.m. midnight to 12:00 p.m. noon Simply Living

7. Minimal Operating Schedule. The hours of operation proposed in this Agreement comply with Section 73.872(b) and Section 73.872(c) of the Commission’s Rules by allowing each Applicant the following number of operating hours per week:

In accordance with Section 73.872(b)(2) of the Commission Rules, Bexley Public Radio and Simply Living pledge that their total operating hours each day as a minimum operating schedule will be a combined total of 12 hours.

In accordance with Section 73.872(c) (1) (ii) and (iii) of the Commission Rules, Bexley Public Radio Foundation and Simply Living acknowledge that they will not permit simultaneous operation and that they will each operate at a minimum of 10 hours each week during the periods listed herein:

Bexley Public Radio Foundation: 10 hours /week at a minimum
Simply Living: 10 hours/week at a minimum

Except as stated herein, no other changes are made to the existing text of the Settlement Agreement (Universal Timeshare Agreement).

In Witness Whereof, this Amendment No. 1 to the Settlement Agreement is hereby executed as of the date first above written:

BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO FOUNDATION

By:__________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:________________________________

CAPITAL UNIVERSITY

By:_________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:________________________________

COMMUNITY REFUGEE AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

By:_________________________________
Name:______________________________
Title:_______________________________

GROVEPORT MADISON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

By:__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_________________________________

SIMPLY LIVING

By:_________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:________________________________

Jun 27, 2010 11:11:00 AM (2 months ago)

Laura Franks Dividend Note No. 26 for Bexley Public Radio.

This is my Dividend Note No. 26 as of June 25, 2010.

These are twenty-nine companies that increased their dividends during the first three weeks of June. Most are American companies. Three of the companies are involved in interesting lines of business: VSE Corporation is a governmental contractor and American Wind and Solar, Inc. is a green energy company. DuPont Fabros Technology is an real estate investment trust that operates secure data centers for web operations of businesses.

ACE Limited
American Eagle Outfitters Inc.
American Wind and Solar
Annaly Capital Management Inc.
Canadian Energy Services & Technology Corp.
Casey’s General Stores, Inc.
Caterpillar
Colony Financial Corp.
Cousins Properties Incorporated
C R Bard, Inc.
Del Monte Foods
DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc.
Farmers & Merchants Bancorp
FedEx Corp.
Greif, Inc.
HEICO Corporation
HRPT Properties Trust
MKS Inc.
National Fuel Gas Company
Oil-Dri Corporation of America
Quanex Buildings Products Corporation
RLI Corp.
Rockwell Automation
Ryanair Holdings, PLC
Target Corporation
Triangle Capital Corporation
Universal Health Realty Income Trust
Viacom Inc.
VSE Corporation

ACE Limited (NYSE: ACE) May 24, 2010, Hamilton, Bermuda

The board of directors of ACE Limited (ACE) announced a 6.5% increase in the quarterly dividend as a part of the company’s consistent effort to enhance shareholder value.

ACE will now pay a quarterly dividend of 33 cents ($1.32 on an annualized basis), up from 31 cents ($1.24 on an annualized basis) paid on April 12, 2010. The increased dividend will be paid on August 17, 2010, to shareholders of record as of July 27, 2010.

The company intends to distribute the dollar-denominated dividend via par value reduction in four installments, thereby adjusting the amount of each quarterly dividend in Swiss francs (CHF) up or down to equal $0.33 at the time of payment, subject to an aggregate cap for the four installments of CHF 2.16.

The par value of the company is currently CHF 31.55 per share. The par value of a share will be reduced concurrent to dividend installment by the CHF equivalent of $0.33 based on the USD/CHF rate published on July 22, 2010.

The board of directors of ACE decided that the first installment of the increased dividend will be made by the company’s transfer agent in U.S. dollars (USD) subject to a required filing with the Swiss Commercial Register.

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) June 9, 2010, Pittsburgh, PA raised its quarterly dividend 10%, to 11 cents a share, saying the increase reflects its strong cash generation and commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. offers on-trend clothing, accessories and personal care products. It operates under the American Eagle (AE), aerie by American Eagle, 77kids by american eagle and MARTIN+OSA (M+O) brands. As of January 30, 2010, it operated 938 American Eagle Outfitters stores in the United States and Canada, 137 aerie stand-alone stores and 28 MARTIN+OSA stores. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, the Company operated in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada. During fiscal 2009, it opened 29 stores, consisting of eight United States AE stores and 21 aerie stores, including two Canadian aerie stores.

Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NYSE: NLY) June 17, 2010, New York, NY, declared the second quarter 2010 common stock cash dividend of $0.68 per common share, or $2.72 annualized. The dividend is a 4.6% increase over the previous rate of $0.65.  This dividend is payable July 29, 2010 to common shareholders of record on June 29, 2010. The ex-dividend date is June 25, 2010.  Yield on the dividend is 15.2%.

Annaly Capital Management, Inc. owns, manages and finances a portfolio of real estate related investment securities, including mortgage pass-through certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), agency callable debentures, and other securities representing interests in the obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans. The Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries offer real estate, asset management and other financial services. Fixed Income Discount Advisory Company (FIDAC) and Merganser Capital Management, Inc. (Merganser) manage a number of investment vehicles and separate accounts for which they earn fee income. The Company’s subsidiary, RCap Securities Inc. (RCap) operates as a broker-dealer.

Atlantic Wind & Solar Inc. (PINKSHEETS: AWSL) June 1, 2010 Toronto, Canada announced that its board has approved a Non-Transferable, Restricted stock dividend.

AWSL shareholders of record on July 6th, 2010 will receive 1 (One) Restricted Non-Transferable Common share for every 4 (Four) shares held.

Canadian Energy Services & Technology Corp. (TSE: CEU) June 16, 2010, Calgary, Alberta, Canada announced today that it will pay a cash dividend of $0.08 per common share on July 15, 2010 to the shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2010, representing an increased dividend of $0.02 per common share to the monthly dividend.

The company designs and implements drilling fluid systems for the oil and natural gas industry in western Canada and in the United States through its subsidiary AES Drilling Fluids, LLC.

Casey's General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: CASY) June 15, 2010 Ankeny, IA reported $0.43 in basic earnings per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2010 ended April 30, 2010, compared to $0.31 from the same quarter a year ago. The results include approximately $6.9 million in legal and advisory fees pertaining to the evaluation of the unsolicited offer and related actions by Alimentation Couche-Tard. Without the effect of those fees, basic earnings per share would have been approximately $0.51 for the quarter compared to the Reuters consensus estimate of $0.40. For the year, basic earnings per share finished at $2.30, an increase of over 36% compared to the prior year's $1.69.

"Fiscal 2010 was a monumental year for Casey's General Stores," said President and CEO Robert J. Myers. "Not only did we surpass 1,500 stores, but we also beat our previous best year by $0.61 per share. We are very pleased with our overall performance, as we turned in record results in the midst of the challenging economic environment during the 12 month period. Furthermore, we expect our strong performance to continue in fiscal 2011."

At its June meeting, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend to $0.10 per share. The dividend is payable August 16, 2010 to shareholders of record on August 2, 2010.

Caterpillar Inc (NYSE: CAT) June 9, 2010, Peoria, IL authorized a 2-cent, or 4.8%, increase to its quarterly dividend payment. Caterpillar Inc. said that its board of directors has voted to raise the company's quarterly dividend by 5 percent, as the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment continues to benefit from the global economic recovery.

Caterpillar said the dividend hike reflects improvement in the company's balance sheet and cash flow in 2009, as the U.S. and other nations pulled out of the economic recession.

The increase lifts Caterpillar's quarterly payout by 2 cents to 44 cents. It will be payable Aug. 20 to shareholders of record at the close of business July 20.

Caterpillar Inc. (Caterpillar) provides construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, and industrial gas turbines. The Company operates primarily through three lines of business: Machinery, Engines and Financial Products. Machinery includes the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of construction, mining and forestry machinery. Engines line of business includes the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of engines for Caterpillar machinery, electric power generation systems, locomotives, marine, petroleum, construction, industrial, agricultural and other applications and related parts. Financial Products line of business consists primarily of Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation (Cat Financial), Caterpillar Insurance Holdings, Inc. (Cat Insurance) and their respective subsidiaries.

Colony Financial, Inc. (NYSE: CLNY) June 16, 2010, Los Angeles, CA, announced a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per common share for the second quarter of 2010. The dividend will be paid on July 15, 2010, to stockholders of record on June 30, 2010.

This dividend is an increase from the $0.16 dividend paid in the first quarter.

Colony Financial is a real estate finance and investment company that is focused primarily on acquiring and originating commercial real estate loans and real estate-related debt at attractive risk-adjusted returns. Secondary debt purchases may include performing, sub-performing or non-performing loans (including loan-to-own strategies). Colony Financial intends to elect and qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust, or REIT, for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Cousins Properties Incorporated (NYSE: CUZ) June 15, 2010, Atlanta, GA announced the results of the shareholders' elections relating to Cousins' second quarter common stock dividend of $0.09 per share declared by its Board of Directors on April 15, 2010.

The dividend will consist of approximately $3.0 million in cash and 866,000 shares of common stock. The amount of cash elected to be received was greater than the cash limit of 33.34% of the total value of the dividend, or approximately $3.0 million, and therefore shareholders who elected to receive all cash will receive a combination of cash and stock. The number of shares included in the dividend is calculated based on the $6.98 average closing price per share of Cousins' common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 7, 8 and 9, 2010. The dividend of $0.09 per share will be paid as follows:

to shareholders electing to receive the dividend in all stock, Cousins will pay the entire dividend in common stock;
to shareholders either electing to receive the dividend in all cash or failing to make an election, Cousins will pay the dividend in the form of $0.0389 per share in cash and $0.0511 per share in common stock; and
Cousins will pay fractional shares in cash.

Cousins Properties Incorporated is a diversified real estate company with extensive experience in development, acquisition, financing, management and leasing. Based in Atlanta, the Company invests in office, multi-family, retail and land development projects. Since its founding in 1958, Cousins has developed 20 million square feet of office space, 20 million square feet of retail space, more than 3,500 multi-family units and more than 60 single-family neighborhoods.

C.R. Bard Inc. (NYSE: BCR) June 9, 2010, San Francisco announced that its board raised the quarterly dividend and authorized a new stock buyback program. The medical device maker raised the dividend 6% to 18 cents a share. The dividend is payable Aug. 6 to shareholders of record as of July 26. Bard's also authorized a $500 million share buyback program.

C. R. Bard, Inc. (Bard) is engaged in the design, manufacture, packaging, distribution and sale of medical, surgical, diagnostic and patient care devices. The Company sells a range of products worldwide to hospitals, individual healthcare professionals, extended care facilities and alternate site facilities. Bard has four product group categories: vascular, urology, oncology and surgical specialties. On November 18, 2009, the Company acquired Y-Med, Inc. (Y-Med), a company focused on the development and manufacture of specialty percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) catheters. On June 15, 2009, the Company acquired worldwide rights and related assets of the hernia products business of Brennen Medical, LLC.

Del Monte Foods (NYSE: DLM), June 10, 2010, San Francisco, CA announced today an 80% increase in its quarterly dividend and the authorization of a $350 million stock repurchase program.

"Based on Del Monte's higher level of performance and confidence in our future, we have substantially increased our quarterly dividend and authorized a significant stock repurchase program," said Richard G. Wolford, Chairman and CEO of Del Monte Foods Company. "Importantly, we are able to do this while achieving our leverage targets and continuing to invest in our business, consistent with our growth strategy. We are returning cash and incremental value to shareholders based on our strong results, the cash flow we consistently generate, and the overall strength of the Company."

Increases Quarterly Dividend 80%

Del Monte's Board of Directors has approved an 80% increase in the quarterly dividend from $0.05 to $0.09 per common share. The dividend is payable on August 5, 2010 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on July 22, 2010.

The Company expects quarterly dividends to continue to be paid during the first week of February, May, August and November and anticipates a total annual dividend of $0.36 per common share. The aggregate quarterly dividend is expected to be approximately $18 million based on the number of outstanding common shares as of fiscal 2010 year-end. However, the actual declaration of future cash dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, will be subject to final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter, after its review of the Company's then-current strategy, applicable debt covenants and financial performance and position, among other things.

This increase in the dividend follows Del Monte's 25% increase in the quarterly dividend announced in June 2009.

Del Monte Foods Company is a producer, distributor and marketer of branded food and pet products for the United States retail market. The Company operates in two segments: Consumer Products and Pet Products. The Consumer Products segment includes the Consumer Products operating segment, which manufactures, markets and sells branded and private label shelf-stable products, including fruit, vegetable, tomato and broth products. The Pet Products segment includes the Pet Products operating segment, which manufactures, markets and sells branded and private label dry and wet pet food and pet snacks. On October 6, 2008, Del Monte Corporation (DMC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, sold Galapesca S.A., Panapesca Fishing, Inc. and Marine Trading Pacific, Inc. to Starkist Co.

DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. (NYSE: DFT) Washinngton, D.C. announced that the company's Board of Directors has authorized and declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share on the Company's common stock for the second quarter 2010. This represents an increase of $0.04 per share, or 50 percent, over the Company’s previous quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share. The dividend will be paid on July 9, 2010 to shareholders of record as of June 29, 2010.

“As a result of our continuing strong leasing and financial performance, we are increasing the quarterly common stock dividend in anticipation of increased REIT taxable income and distribution requirements for 2010,” commented Mark L. Wetzel, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

As previously announced, the Company issued 13.8 million shares of common stock on May 18, 2010; raising $304.6 million of net proceeds to develop datacenters in Santa Clara, California and Ashburn, Virginia. As a result, the Company is revising its Funds from Operations (“FFO”) per share guidance range to $0.29 to $0.32 and $1.25 to $1.35 for the second quarter and full year, respectively. This supersedes the company’s previously issued FFO per share guidance of $0.30 to $0.34 and $1.25 to $1.45 for the second quarter and full year, respectively. See page 3 for details.

DuPont Fabros Technology is a real estate investment trust (REIT) and an owner, developer, operator and manager of wholesale data centers. The Company’s data centers are highly specialized, secure facilities used primarily by national and international Internet and enterprise companies to house, power and cool the computer servers that support many of their most critical business processes. DuPont Fabros Technology, Inc. is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Farmers & Merchants Bancorp (OTC: FMCB) June 1, 2010, Lodi, CA, declared a midyear cash dividend of $5.35 per share, a 5 percent increase over the July 2009 dividend, the Lodi-based bank announced last week.

The dividend will be paid July 1 to shareholders of record on June 11.

Farmers & Merchants reported a $6.1 million profit, or $7.75 a share, for the quarter ending March 31.
The locally owned bank has 24 branches from Sacramento to Merced California.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) June 7, 2010, Memphis, TN, declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.12 per share on its common stock, an increase of $0.01 per share over the previous dividend payment. The dividend is payable July 1, 2010 to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 17, 2010.

FedEx Corp. provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $33 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 280,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities.

Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF) June 1, 2010, Delaware, OH, declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.42 per share of Class A Common Stock and $0.63 per share of Class B Common Stock.

Mike Gasser, Greif chairman and CEO, said, "Today's dividend announcement signifies the seventh increase in the last 10 years, and we are particularly pleased that the Board approved the 10.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year for both classes of stock. The increase is consistent with our targeted dividend payout ratio of 30 to 35 percent over a complete business cycle."

The dividends are payable on July 1, 2010, to shareholders of record at close of business on June 18, 2010.

The company manufactures steel, plastic, fibre, flexible and corrugated containers, packaging accessories and containerboard, and provides blending and packaging services for a wide range of industries. Greif also manages timber properties in North America. The company has operations in more than 45 countries to serve global as well as regional customers.

Heico Corporation (NYSE: HEI) June 15, 2010, Hollywood, FL announced that its Board of Directors declared a regular semi-annual cash dividend of $.06 per share payable on both classes of common stock. The cash dividend is payable on July 21, 2010 to shareholders of record as of July 7, 2010.

The cash dividend represents a 25% increase over the prior semi-annual per share amount of $.048 (as adjusted for the Company's 5 for 4 stock split distributed April 2010) and is HEICO's 64th consecutive semi-annual cash dividend since 1979.
Laurans A. Mendelson, HEICO's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commenting on the cash dividend remarked, "By raising the cash dividend, our Board of Directors' goal is to reflect its continuing confidence in HEICO's growth strategies and to continue to reward our shareholders, while retaining sufficient capital to fund our internal growth objectives and acquisition strategies."

Note: HEICO has two classes of common stock traded on the NYSE. Both classes, the Class A Common Stock (HEI.A) and the Common Stock (HEI), are virtually identical in all economic respects. The only difference between the share classes is the voting rights. The Class A Common Stock (HEI.A) receives 1/10 vote per share and the Common Stock (HEI) receives one vote per share. There are currently approximately 19.8 million shares of HEICO's Class A Common Stock (HEI.A) outstanding and 13.1 million shares of HEICO's Common Stock (HEI) outstanding. The stock symbols for HEICO's two classes of common stock on most web sites are HEI.A and HEI. However, some web sites change HEICO's Class A Common Stock stock symbol (HEI.A) to HEI/A or HEIa.

HEICO Corporation is engaged primarily in certain segments of the aviation, defense, space, medical, telecommunication and electronic industries through its Flight Support Group and its Electronic Technologies Group. HEICO's customers include a majority of the world's airlines and airmotives as well as numerous defense and space contractors and military agencies worldwide in addition to medical, telecommunication and electronic equipment manufacturers.

HRPT Propoerties Trust (NYSE: HRPT) June 15, 2010, Newton, MA announced the following corporate actions:

Name Change:

Effective July 1, 2010, HRP will change its name to "CommonWealth REIT". On and after that date, the common shares of HRP will be traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under a new symbol "CWH".

When it completed its initial public offering in 1986, HRP was known as "Health and Rehabilitation Properties Trust" and it primarily owned healthcare rehabilitation facilities. In 1994, HRP expanded its investment focus to include various senior housing facilities, and its name was changed to "Health and Retirement Properties Trust". In 1998, HRP changed its investment focus to include commercial office properties, and the present name of "HRPT Properties Trust" was adopted. Today, HRP is primarily invested in office and industrial properties and no longer makes investments in healthcare properties. The Board of Trustees determined that adopting the new name "CommonWealth REIT" may be an appropriate way to avoid any lingering confusion that the company may be a healthcare focused real estate investment trust, or REIT.

As of March 31, 2010, HRP owned 518 properties with approximately 66.8 million square feet in over 60 markets in 34 states and Washington, DC, representing total investments of $6.6 billion. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, 41.0% of the company's property net operating income ("NOI") came from suburban office properties, 37.3% of NOI came from central business district, or CBD, office properties and 21.7% of NOI came from industrial and other property investments.

Reverse Share Split:

HRP also announced that its Board has determined to implement a common share combination by which the number of its common shares outstanding will be reduced by three quarters: for every four existing common shares owned, shareholders will receive one new common share. Fractional shares will be issued where appropriate.

At the company's shareholders' 2009 annual meeting, shareholders voted to amend HRP's declaration of trust to permit the Board to implement a share combination in the discretion of the Board. After studying this matter, the Board has concluded that a one for four share combination is desirable because it may reduce the transaction costs for shareholders who pay brokerage commissions on the basis of the number of shares traded.

The share combination will be effective on July 1, 2010. On and after that date, shares traded on the NYSE will be the new combined shares and will trade under the new symbol "CWH".

Dividend Increase:

HRP currently pays a regular quarterly dividend of $0.12/share ($0.48/share per year). After the reverse share split, HRP currently expects to pay a regular quarterly dividend of $0.50/share ($2.00/share per year).

The next regular quarterly dividend of $0.50/share with respect to HRP's performance during the quarter ended June 30, 2010 is expected to be declared during July 2010. That dividend will be paid to shareholders of record on a later date to be announced when the dividend is declared.

MKS Inc. (TSE: MKS) June 8, 2010, Waterloon, Ontario, Canada, the global application lifecycle management (ALM) technology leader, today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2010 and a 17% increase to its quarterly cash dividend.

MKS Inc. (MKS) is a provider of software products and services in the application development and deployment (software application lifecycle management (ALM)) and cross-platform development and systems administration (Interoperability or IO) markets. The Company operates in two segments: ALM and IO. The ALM segment develops and markets software solutions that assist programmers in the creation of traditional and Web-based software, and in the management of the software development process. The IO segment encompasses products that address the issues surrounding cross-platform development, application migration, systems administration and network management.

National Fuel Gas Company (NYSE: NFG) June 10, 2010, Williamsville, NY approved a 3 percent increase in the dividend on the Company's common stock, raising the quarterly rate from 33.5 cents per share as approved in June 2009 to 34.5 cents per share, for an annual rate of $1.38 per share. This action marks the 108th year of uninterrupted dividend payments and the 40th consecutive year that National Fuel has increased its dividend.

David F. Smith, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Fuel, said, "We are pleased to announce another increase in our dividend. We take significant pride in our dividend history and are pleased that our balanced and integrated business model continues to generate value for our shareholders. The value of our dividend is enhanced by the favorable federal tax treatment that dividends currently receive."

The dividend is payable July 15, 2010, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2010. The Company has approximately 81.9 million shares of common stock outstanding. It has no preferred stock outstanding.

National Fuel supports the efforts of the national grassroots advocacy campaign "Defend My Dividend," which is seeking to extend the preferred federal tax rate on dividends. The preferred rate is currently scheduled to expire on December 31, 2010. Additional information regarding the initiative is available at the Investor Relations page of the Company's website.

National Fuel is an integrated energy company with $5.0 billion in assets comprised of the following four operating segments: Exploration and Production, Pipeline and Storage, Utility, and Energy Marketing. Additional information about National Fuel is available at www.nationalfuelgas.com or through its investor information

Oil-Dri Corporation of America (NYSE: ODC) June 15, 2010, Chicago, IL declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.16 per share of its common Stock and $0.12 per share of the Class B Stock, a 7% increase for both classes of stock.

The dividends will be payable on September 3, 2010, to stockholders of record at the close of business on August 20, 2010. 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.

Quanex Building Products Corporation (NYSE:NX) May 27, 2010 Houston, TX announced that its Board of Directors authorized an annual dividend increase of $0.04 per common share outstanding. The company stated the annual dividend is now $0.16 per share, a 33% increase over the previous annual dividend. The second quarter dividend of $0.04 per share is payable June 30, 2010 to shareholders of record on June 16, 2010. The Board also authorized a stock repurchase program for up to 1 million shares that will be used to purchase shares from time to time.

"With the continued implementation of our long-term strategy, coupled with a slow recovery in our end markets, we expect to generate healthy cash flows through the next business cycle," said David D. Petratis, chairman and chief executive officer. "While making acquisitions in the fenestration market remain a priority for the company, raising the dividend and purchasing shares demonstrates our confidence in the future and directly benefits our long-term shareholders."

Quanex Building Products Corporation is an industry-leading manufacturer of engineered materials, components and systems serving the U.S. residential window and door markets. It is an ROIC-driven company that grows shareholder returns through a combination of organic growth via new products and new programs like Project Nexus, and strategic acquisitions.

The RLI Corp. (NYSE: RLI) June 2, 2010 board of directors declared a second quarter cash dividend of $0.29 per share, a 4% increase over the prior quarter. The dividend is payable on July 15, 2010, to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2010. RLI has paid dividends for 136 consecutive quarters and increased dividends in each of the last 35 years.

RLI is a specialty insurance company serving “niche” or underserved markets. With a diverse portfolio of property and casualty coverages and surety bonds, it has achieved an underwriting profit in 29 of the last 33 years, including the last 14. RLI and subsidiaries – RLI Insurance Company, Mt. Hawley Insurance Company and RLI Indemnity Company – are rated A+ "Superior" by A.M. Best Company and A+ "Strong" by Standard & Poor's. RLI operates in all 50 states from office locations across the country. For additional information, visit www.rlicorp.com.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) June 3, 2010, Milwaukee, WI, declared a 21 percent increase in the quarterly dividend on its common stock to 35 cents per share, payable on Sept. 10, 2010 to shareowners of record at the close of business on Aug. 16, 2010.

"The 21 percent dividend increase reflects our solid financial position and our confidence in Rockwell Automation's strong, sustainable cash generation throughout business cycles. We remain committed to delivering shareowner value by prudently investing in high-return growth opportunities and appropriately returning cash to shareowners," said Keith D. Nosbusch, chairman and chief executive officer.

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs about 19,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

Ryanair Holdings PLC June 1, 2010, Dublin, Ireland said that it will pay its first dividend in more than 10 years, as Europe's largest budget airline swung to a fiscal-year net profit on substantially lower fuel prices and an improved route mix.

In the first dividend payment since the company went public in 1997, Ryanair will pay out €500 million ($615.2 million), or 34 European cents per share, in October, and said it may return another €500 million to shareholders through either a one-time dividend or share buyback by the end of 2013.

If the first dividend is approved by shareholders at the company's annual

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) June 9, 2010. Minneapolis, MN, raised its quarterly dividend to 25 cents from 17 cents, payable September 10 to shareholders of record as of August 20.

“Because we expect to continue to return excess cash to our shareholders through a combination of regular dividends and opportunistic share repurchase, we believe it is appropriate to increase the amount returned through the quarterly dividend,” said Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel.

Target Corporation (Target) operates Target general merchandise stores with an assortment of general merchandise and food items. During the fiscal year ended January 30, 2010 (fiscal 2009), the Target stores also included a deeper food assortment, including perishables and an offering of dry, dairy and frozen items. In addition, the Company operates SuperTarget stores with a line of food and general merchandise items. Target.com offers an assortment of general merchandise, including various items found in its stores and a complementary assortment, such as extended sizes and colors, sold only online. It operates in two segments: Retail and Credit Card. The Retail segment includes all of its merchandising operations, including its general merchandise and food discount stores in the United States and its integrated online business. The Credit Card segment offers credit to qualified guests through its branded credit cards, the Target Visa and the Target Card (collectively, REDcards).

Triangle Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: TCAP) June 1, 2010, Raleigh, NC a specialty finance company that provides customized financing solutions to lower middle market companies located throughout the United States, today announced that its board of directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.41 per share. This is the Company's fourteenth consecutive quarterly dividend since its initial public offering in February, 2007, and reflects a 2.5% increase over the second quarter of 2009.

The Company's dividend will be payable as follows:
Record Date: June 15, 2010
Payment Date: June 29, 2010

Triangle Capital Corporation is a specialty finance company organized to provide customized financing solutions to lower middle market companies located throughout the United States. Triangle's investment objective is to seek attractive returns by generating current income from debt investments and capital appreciation from equity related investments. Triangle's investment philosophy is to partner with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors to provide flexible financing solutions to fund growth, changes of control, or other corporate events. Triangle typically invests $5.0 - $15.0 million per transaction in companies with annual revenues between $20.0 and $100.0 million and EBITDA between $3.0 and $20.0 million.

Universal Health Realty Income Trust (NYSE: UHT) June 4, 2010  King of Prussia, PA announced that its Board of Trustees voted to increase the quarterly dividend by $.005 and pay a dividend of $.605 per share on June 30, 2010 to shareholders of record as of June 16, 2010.

Universal Health Realty Income Trust is a real estate investment trust (REIT). The Trust invests in healthcare and human service-related facilities, including acute care hospitals, behavioral healthcare facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, sub-acute facilities, surgery centers, childcare centers and medical office buildings (MOBs). As of December 31, 2009, the Trust had 51 real estate investments or commitments located in 15 states in the United States consisting of seven hospital facilities, including three acute care, one behavioral healthcare, one rehabilitation and two sub-acute; 40 MOBs (including 31 owned by various limited liability companies (LLCs), including two under construction), and four preschool and childcare centers.

Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA) June 9, 2010, New York, New York announced its first-ever quarterly dividend and resumed its stock buyback plan a year after the media giant pledged future gains for shareholders in the midst of a global financial crisis and economic downturn that rattled the company.

The news, announced Wednesday at Viacom's annual shareholder meeting in New York City, comes after the company's stock more than doubled over the past 18 months, as the operator of Paramount films and channels like MTV and Comedy Central has benefited from successful movies and cable's dual revenue stream of advertising ...

VSE Corporation (NASDAQ: VSEC) June 9, 2010, Alexandria, VA, reported today that on June 1, 2010, the company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.06 per share, increasing the cash dividend by 20% to an annual payout rate of $0.24 per share.

The $0.06 per share dividend declared on June 1, 2010 will be paid on August 11, 2010, to stockholders of record as of July 28, 2010.

VSE has paid cash dividends since 1973 and has increased its dividend each year since 2004. The payment and amount of future dividends will depend on existing conditions, including the company's earnings, financial condition, working capital requirements, and other factors.

VSE CEO Maurice "Mo" Gauthier said, "Increasing our quarterly dividend to $0.06 demonstrates the strength of our business model and reflects our confidence in our ability to generate cash and drive shareholder returns."
VSE is a diversified Federal Services company of choice with over 50 years of experience in solving issues of global significance with integrity, agility, and value. VSE is dedicated to making our clients successful by delivering talented people and innovative solutions for logistics, engineering, IT services, construction management and consulting.

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 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Laura Franks.

Jun 25, 2010 2:00:00 PM (2 months ago)

Police Chief Rinehart: Summer Safety. Letter to the Editor

Summer is finally in full swing. Graduation parties are winding down, the kids are out of school, the pool is in full swing, and we are all looking forward to another great July 4 (July 5 in this case) celebration here in Bexley.

As I was out on my bike this morning patrolling the city, it occurred to me that this is the right time to provide a few key tips for a safe, happy, and citation free summer in our great city:

1. Slow down and obey the speed limit signs. Speeding citations cost money and put points on your driving record.
2. Come to a complete stop at stop signs. Hard to believe, but a few of our drivers struggle with this.
3. Lock your car and put your valuables out of sight. Car break-ins are already increasing and the vast majority of the time the car was unlocked and valuables were laying out in plain sight.
4. Resist the urge to drive to your local fireworks store in preparation of Independence Day celebrations. Fireworks are dangerous and illegal.
5. Protect your identity. Only purchase online items via secure sites and do not allow financial and personnel information to linger in your mailbox. Identity theft is on the rise.
5. Become a member of or start a blockwatch in your neighborhood. Neighborhood watch groups work and strengthen our community.
6. Be vigilant. If someone behaves suspiciously, call the police department: 559-4444. Error on the side of caution and let the police sort it out. We have a lot of traffic through our city. A small percentage of that traffic is up to no good.

That's it. if we all work together our community will be a harder target for criminals, our streets will be safer, and you are much more likely to have a great, enjoyable, peaceful Summer. Thanks and I look forward to seeing you at the parade. Larry Rinehart

Jun 18, 2010 1:14:00 PM (3 months ago)

Update: Bexley Public Radio time share negotiations

UPDATE SATURDAY JUNE 12, 2010: AN UNSIGNED LETTER ON SIMPLY LIVING LETTERHEAD WAS RECEIVED AT BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO'S OFFICE ON SATURDAY JUNE 12, 2010. THE TEXT OF THE LETTER IN PART READS:

Simply Living rejects your proposed timeshare assignment of hours for the following primary reason: Your proposed split of 3am/3pm would give BPRF 65% of the listenership hours, per Arbitron ratings for non-commercial stations. We will file our Request to Transfer WCRS with the FCC in early July, as I had previously informed you. You will receive a copy.

UPDATE MONDAY JUNE 14, 2010: BPRF MAILED THE FOLLOWING PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO SL, CRIS, CU AND GMMLSD. THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT NO. 1 OFFERS A 3:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. TIME SLOT FOR SL AND REMOVES THE ‘PRIMARY’ BASIS FOR THE REJECTION STATED IN THE UNSIGNED LETTER OF JUNE 12, 2010.

AMENDMENT NO. 1 SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT (UNIVERSAL TIMESHARE AGREEMENT) IN RESPONSE TO SL LETTER DATED JUNE 11, 2010

In response to the SL letter dated June 11, 2010, this Amendment No. 1 to the Settlement Agreement (Universal Timeshare Agreement) is made as of the 20th day of June, 2010 by and among Bexley Public Radio Foundation, Community Refugee and Immigration Services, Capital University, Groveport Madison Local School District and Simply Living (hereinafter, singularly, “Signatory,” collectively, the “Signatories”).

WHEREAs, Each of the Signatories to this Amendment No. 1 is also a party to the Settlement Agreement dated October 29, 2003 and each of the Signatories agreed to the certain and definite allocation of broadcast time on FM Channel 271 that was made in the Settlement Agreement;

WHEREAS, The allocation of time in the Settlement Agreement was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (hereinafter “Commission”);

WHEREAS, Signatory Bexley Public Radio and Signatory Simply Living have been granted licenses to cover by the Commission and are presently broadcasting respectively as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM and WCRS-LP, 102.1 FM.

WHEREAS, Bexley Public Radio is broadcasting during the time period granted to it in the Settlement Agreement.

WHEREAS, Signatory Simply Living is broadcasting in the time periods granted to it in the Settlement Agreement. Simply Living has stopped broadcasting during time periods allocated to Signatory Groveport Madison Local School District and Signatory Community Refugee and Immigration Services in the Settlement Agreement.

WHEREAS, Signatory Bexley Public Radio Foundation has not agreed to any broadcasts by Signatory Simply Living during the time periods allocated to Signatory Groveport Madison Local School District and Signatory Community Refugee and Immigration Services.

WHEREAS, Construction permits awarded by the Commission to Groveport Madison Local School District and Community Refugee and Immigration Services have expired and are non-renewable;

WHEREAS, The application for a construction permit of Capital University has expired and is nonrenewable;

WHEREAS, The public interest will best and most fully be served by grant of this Amendment No. 1 because such grant will conserve the resources of the Commission and of the Signatories and bring about radio broadcast during additional time periods;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the terms and conditions set forth herein, and with the intent of being legally bound hereby, the Signatories agree to the following Amendment No. 1:

The existing text of numbered section 6 and numbered section 7 of Article II are deleted and replaced with the following text:

6. Hours of Operation. The Applicants hereby request that the Commission grant each Application subject to the following hours of operation:

Weekdays (M-F)

3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Bexley Public Radio Foundation

3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Simply Living

Weekends (Sa & Su)

3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Bexley Public Radio Foundation

3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Simply Living

7. Minimal Operating Schedule. The hours of operation proposed in this Agreement comply with Section 73.872(b) and Section 73.872(c) of the Commission’s Rules by allowing each Applicant the following number of operating hours per week:

In accordance with Section 73.872(b)(2) of the Commission Rules, Bexley Public Radio and Simply Living pledge that their total operating hours each day as a minimum operating schedule will be a combined total of 12 hours.

In accordance with Section 73.872(c) (1) (ii) and (iii) of the Commission Rules, Bexley Public Radio Foundation and Simply Living acknowledge that they will not permit simultaneous operation and that they will each operate at a minimum of 10 hours each week during the periods listed herein:

Bexley Public Radio Foundation: 10 hours /week at a minimum
Simply Living: 10 hours/week at a minimum

Except as stated herein, no other changes are made to the existing text of the Settlement Agreement (Universal Timeshare Agreement).

In Witness Whereof, this Amendment No. 1 to the Settlement Agreement is hereby executed as of the date first above written:

BEXLEY PUBLIC RADIO FOUNDATION

By:__________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:________________________________

CAPITAL UNIVERSITY

By:_________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:________________________________

COMMUNITY REFUGEE AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES

By:_________________________________
Name:______________________________
Title:_______________________________

GROVEPORT MADISON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

By:__________________________________
Name:________________________________
Title:_________________________________

SIMPLY LIVING

By:_________________________________
Name:_______________________________
Title:________________________________

UPDATE SUNDAY JUNE 13, 2010: MARILYN WELKER, DIRECTOR OF SL SENT THE FOLLOWING EMAIL TO JOHN ANDERSON OF ANDERSON DEVOSS AND JOHNSON BROADCAST CONSULTING GROUP. THE EMAIL WAS FORWARDED TO BPRF BY JOHN ANDERSON. ADJ HAS BEEN ENGAGED BY BPRF TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES ON THE TIMESHARE AGREEMENT AND OTHER MATTERS.

On Sun, 6/13/10, Marilyn Welker wrote:

From: Marilyn Welker
Subject: Re: Arbitron statistics
To: "John Anderson"
Date: Sunday, June 13, 2010, 6:34 PM

I just got off the phone with Bob, John.

What are the possibilities of

Bexley agreeing to a noon/midnight split, BPRF taking either time?
Bexley agreeing to a 3am/3pm split w/ SL taking morning time?

Marilyn

UPDATE MONDAY JUNE 14, 2010: ON MONDAY JUNE 14, 2010, BPRF DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING TO CRIS, CU AND SL.

June 14, 2010

To all:

BPRF withdraws the proposed Amendment No. 1 of even date herewith whereby BPRF would broadcast during the 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. time slot and SL would broadcast during the 3:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. time slot.

BPRF accepts the SL offer made in an email of June 13, 2010 for BPRF to have the 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight time slot and SL would have the 12:00 midnight to 12:00 noon time slot.

Jun 17, 2010 11:59:00 AM (3 months ago)

Laura Franks Bexley CPI, Second Quarter, 2010. Reported Tuesday June 8.

This is Laura Franks reporting the Bexley Consumer Price Index for the second quarter, 2010.

The Bexley CPI reports on the aggregate prices paid for a uniform basket of merchandise purchased at retail in Bexley and nearby retail stores.

The Bexley CPI measures the change of prices for typical retail purchases made by Bexley residents.

The Bexley Consumer Price Index can be compared to the price changes reported by the Bureau of Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. The comparison can provide useful information for Bexley consumers about local price changes compared to price changes in other parts of the United States.

As of the second quarter, 2010 compared to the first quarter, 2010, Bexley prices showed a 3% decrease. One item was discounted by 41%, but this was not quite as significant as it sounds because the non-sale price on this item was actually $.40 higher than last quarter. Also effecting the calculations were two (2) food items: one (1) of which was returned to it’s pre-sale cost and the other had it’s price raised by 6% from last quarter.

Still, no matter how you look at it a 3% decrease in prices is good and makes it even nicer to live in Bexley.

And just remember, as the country song says "God is great, beer is good and people are crazy….."

This is Laura Franks for the WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM Bexley Consumer Price Index Report.

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 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation. Text is copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Laura Franks.

Jun 16, 2010 11:00:00 AM (3 months ago)

Jeni Fleming. Vocalist. Appearance at Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

A misty, cool Tuesday evening in Bexley. Our boarder, Alex Hettinga, and I walk to an evening of music at Trinity Lutheran Seminary. The seminary is located at the corner of College and East Main in Bexley. An audience is gathering for the first of this summer’s Tuesdays at Trinity musical events.

The performance space is the Trinity’s Gloria Dei worship center. The featured performer is Jeni Fleming. She and her ensemble live in Montana.

Many in the audience are wearing sweaters because of the cool evening. Inside the worship center, the air conditioning is on and people don’t take off their sweaters.

Trinity’s president, Mark Ramseth welcomes the musicians and the audience. He reminds the audience of the family connection that brings this musical performance to Trinity and Bexley. The singer, Jeni Fleming, is his daughter and Jake Fleming, the saxophonist, is his son-in-law. Mark reminds the audience that the musicians have traveled from Montana for the performance. And, they arrived in Bexley at 2:00 a.m.

Jeni Fleming. wears a black strapless cocktail dress with red and white oval prints. She also wears a long white scarf. The performance space is too chilly for Jeni, so she puts a coat on as the performance begins.

Jeni performed at Trinity for the first time in 2002. Since then, it has almost been an annual performance with different constellations of back-up musicians. This year’s line up of musicians are Craig Hall, electric and acoustic guitars; Adam Greenberg, an Ohio native on drums and percussion; Chris Cundy, piano and Hammond B3 organ; Sean Lehmann, bass and Jake Fleming, acoustic guitars and saxophone.

From Jeni’s prior performances, my expectation is for an evening of sophisticated jazz arrangements from the American Songbook and also some jazz arrangements of a few pop hits thrown into the mix.

Surprises are in store this evening. Jeni warns the audience that in the last two years their performance repertory has moved into a galaxy known in the music business as pop-rock , and that they are more specifically categorized as jazz-pop artists.
Jeni opens the evening’s performance with their own arrangement of a Beatles tune “Can’t Buy Me Love.” The lyric seems incongruous in the chapel setting but that doesn’t matter. The arrangement moves the familiar Beatles ballad into a Western Swing rhythm, clearly reminding me that this is an ensemble from Montana.

Jeni’s second song is written by Jake Fleming. The acoustics of the room make it difficult to catch all of the lyrics. The title is “Scarecrow” and some of the lyrics sound like it is an introspective, moody song but I’m not certain. Phrases that I decipher are “There’s a shadow hanging over me…you must call tonight…There’s a cold deep down inside of me….You must call to lie…Can’t erase the things that are part of me…” The acoustics aren’t working for me tonight so I’m not certain if these are the actual lyrics, particularly when I ask myself what these lyrics have to do with the song title “Scarecrow.” Perhaps for new songs, the lyric might be printed in the program?

The third number is a fresh arrangement of “Never My Love,” a song made popular by the Association in the late 1960s. Jeni confesses that she wrote the arrangement without reference to the original performance of the Association. When she listened to the original, Jeni describes her reaction as “I didn’t realize how much I had destroyed.”

As “Never My Love” concludes, Jeni has warmed up and takes off her jacket .

Appropriately, the next song is a Brazilian samba. I miss the songs name, but the tropical heat of the tune is unmistakable. There is a dragging major cord in the arrangement that, within the samba rhythm, recreates the measured pace of a walk on the beach.

The arrangements of the songs are much more complex than in previous performances. The ensemble is larger than the trio that I associate with Jeni, so the complexity shouldn’t surprise. The effect of the complexity is to make it more difficult to the focus on the vocalist. There is also some need to balance the several instruments. Percussion and piano were too loud and sometimes over-powered Jeni’s voice. The larger ensemble makes the performance less intimate, less personal.

The fifth song, “God Bless’ The Child,” is the Billie Holiday, Arthur Herzog Blues standard. A song and arrangement perfect for Jeni and, with Jake on the saxophone, a reminder of what these musicians do best. This is also where I begin to notice the bass playing of Sean Lehmann. What a musician. What an addition to the group’s sound and rhythm.

“God Bless’ The Child” is also where I first wonder if there is a Jazz Pop and Jazz Mom in this ensemble.

Next is another Jake Fleming song where I have difficulty deciphering the lyric. Maybe it is not the acoustics of the location; maybe it is my hearing that is deficient. I think the title is “The Other Side” with lyrics like “I fear my affliction…awesome innocence…Need a friend…to sneak into the other-side…I spend my time…painful song in a rock-fall…freedom I’ve been crying for is finally here…” Print the lyrics in the program. Please.

This is followed by a song that featured Chris Cundy on the piano. The piano filled the room with sound and lyrics seemed secondary. “Hallelujah” and “I’ve seen your flag and marble arch…” and “love is not a march” are all I caught.

The next song arrangement was written by Jake on a February trip to Hawaii. Jeni and Jake had a two hour professional engagement on one of the islands. The two hour engagement included a week-long hotel accommodation. During the week, Jake arranged “Day After Day.”

Then in quick succession, two familiar numbers “Gimme the beat boys and free my soul,” and the lyrics of “Amazing Grace” to the tune of “Danny Boy.”

Closing the first half, , a Hebrew folk tune started slow and gathered speed.. This folk tune is a new genre and energized the audience. The interior chill had been broken.

During the interval, Alex and I discuss how the performance is different than anticipated. No standards in the play list. Little jazz except the Billie Holliday number.

The second half begins with another Brazilian song. Antonio Carlos Jobin’s “The Girl From Ipanema.” This song is performed as a samba and gives a fresh perspective on the standard.

Next is an R & B song made classic by Ray Charles: “One Mint Julip”. Jeni says the lyric is a description of how she met her husband Jake. In truth, she corrects the story to say she and Jake actually met at a campus ministry happy hour.

Then follows a Willie Nelson song, “Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground” and Lizz Wright’s “Trouble In The Air, I Don’t Want It.” Willie Nelson. How far the evening is from my expectation.

Before singing her final number, Jeni invites May Schwarz professor of church music to the microphone. Professor Schwarz organizes the Tuesday at Trinity musical events and she reminds the audience that next two Tuesdays at Trinity events are the Brass Band of Columbus on June 15 and the Columbus Symphony Brass Quintet on June 22.

Jeni’s final number is “I Need Your Inspiration” arranged as a dance number. With Jeni slapping a red tambourine, and Jake’s saxophone playing, this gospel classic energizes the musicians and the audience.

On the walk home, I discuss the performance with our boarder and explain that the concert was a surprise, and not what I expected at all. In a light rain, I comment that the music was louder, more energetic, more pop, less cerebral than her last performance. Our boarder is a sophomore music major at Carnegie Mellon and his comments are about acoustics,
arrangements and individual performances. “They covered a lot of genres,” he said, “She has a very versatile voice.” He was most impressed with Jeni’s “very pleasant voice” within the group and commented that the group could’ve let her shine a bit more. The lyrics to her songs were frequently indistinguishable over the band. However, even as someone who attends the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra every week, comparing and criticizing performers of the highest levels, Alex found the evening of music making quite enjoyable. He agreed that some of the songs worked considerably well with the ensemble, and it was very interesting to see their interpretations of different styles.

Next morning, when I look at my concert notes, I’m surprised. Rather than being a completely different Jeni Fleming, the notes are much like notes from her last concert. She takes familiar songs and rearranges the material into her own. The brainy content, both lyric and melody are gently led into the shelter of Jeni’s brilliance. She makes a song her child and nurtures it to become something new, something distinct from its origins. Jazz Pop and Jazz Mom indeed.

The sequence of songs, none from the American Songbook, also makes sense next day as I read my notes. Blues, Gospel, Bossa Nova, Beatles, Country and Western, Western Swing. The breadth of her repertory is amazing. What an enjoyable performance.
So next year, should we expect German Techno?

What I want is Jeni doing the Beach Boys. Please Jeni, next year do “In My Room,” “Rhonda.,” “California Girls.”

Jeni can pull it off an evening of the Beach Boys.

Maybe an entire CD of Jeni Fleming singing the Beach Boys.

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.

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Editorial Collective.

Jun 15, 2010 2:07:00 PM (3 months ago)

Folk music in Newport News. Take 2.

Friday of Memorial Day, long weekend. Concert performance by folk singer and songwriter Marion Elsass. The concert is organized by the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music and is part of its Coffeehouse Series. Website: www.tffm.org

Marion is a retired Nationwide insurance agent and businessman who participates in The Tidewater Songwriters’ Association. The association is a local songwriters' group founded in 1987 as a way to help members marshal their resources and enjoy their craft. During his career with Nationwide at its home office in Columbus, Ohio, Marion, his wife and children were residents of Upper Arlington.

Past performers at association concerts include Robert Matter, Greg Anderson, Adrian Whitcomb, Clayton Hill and Jack Staghill

Marion’s concert is at the ground floor auditorium of the First United Methodist Church on Warwick Avenue near Main St. in Newport News, Virginia.

Before the concert begins I talk to a man who turns out to be Iyricist Adrian Whitcomb. Adrian is wearing high-top Converse basketball shoes and has a small paper pad and pen in hand. Later, during Marion’s performance, Adrian takes notes. I wonder if his notes are for a review of Marion’s performance or for lyrics of a new song. I note to myself that Adrian did not take notes during or after his conversation with me, but then, no one has ever accused me of saying anything inspiring or poetic. Talking to Adrian before the performance, he is laconic but friendly. Adrian tells me that he has been a member of the songwriting group for three years and has written six hundred songs in that period. Adrian is a lyricist and relies on others for the music to his lyrics.

The audience count is forty-two. Most are couples and most are probably retired or near retirement. They are members of the sixties generation that revived folk music and popularized made groups like the New Christy Minstrels, Peter Paul and Mary, Limelighters, Janis and Ian, and Kingston Trio. The hair color of this audience is mostly the range of white, gray and silver. The room and audience are mostly blue in color. The window curtains in the auditorium are blue, the stage curtains and seat upholstery are blue. The clothing colors of this audience are almost all blue. Is the audience made up of retired U.S. Navy? Only two women have red blouses and one man has red Bermuda shorts. There is the occasional khaki trousers or white slacks, but blue is everywhere else.

The evening’s MC is Greg Anderson who manages the practical arrangements for concerts of the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music and the Tidewater Songwriters’ Association. Usually, Greg is assisted by Jerry Sauers, a lyricist and guitarist who is active in the organization. After a brief promotion announcement for the organization’s concert series, Greg introduces Marion and the performance begins.

After the performance, Marion confesses to me that he isn’t a paid member of the Tidewater group and comments that maybe the time is ripe for him to pay the annual membership fee.

The song list for the evening’s performance is a mixture of Marion’s own composition and familiar pieces from other songwriters and performers. Marion sits throughout his performance. His chair is not on the stage, rather his chair is on the auditorium floor. For those of us sitting near the last row, this makes it difficult to see Marion during the performance. After the concert I peek behind the stage curtain. The stage appears to be used for storage and unavailable as an elevated space for the performer.

At some point in the concert, I conclude that Marion needs a bass player to accompany his guitar playing.

As part of his introduction to his songs, Marion discusses the sources for ideas for songs: personal life, emotions and feelings. And then he offers one of his “When they lay my body down…” The message is to slow down and enjoy your life. He offers another song that begins “The kids don’t visit much anymore….” For a grey-haired audience, this lyric is probably a slice of real life.

Marion identifies the second source for his lyrics is observations about the people around him. As an example, he offers a song about the Vietnam war experience of young men shortly out of high school going off to a dangerous fight. “In April we were dancing on the floor of a gym, by August we were kids on a half-track when the first mortar fell, and old men when our world went to hell...”

Another source for Marion’s songs are books and his imagination.

Marion doesn’t announce the titles of his songs and those of other composers, so I offer only first lines or fragments of his lyrics.

Marion’s songs also reminded me that folk music is a source protest in America. From the left-wing stereotype protest of Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie, to the gentle satire of the Smothers Brothers, folk music criticizes American society, and picks apart its dominant culture. Without identifying it as a protest song, Marion offers the audience “She woke up Tuesday morning, a day like all the rest…” The lyric is an edgy critique of the 9/11 trope of identifying the victims of that outrage as heroes. The point of Marion’s lyric is that 9/11 has its heroes, but just being a victim is not by itself heroic. There were no dry eyes in the audience as this simple truth is expressed. By coincidence, this same point is relevant on the drive home from Newport News. A stretch of highway is named “Pearl Harbor Survivors Memorial Highway.” Survivors? What about the victims of the surprise attack, those who lost their lives from that act of infamy.

At the intermission, there are refreshments, cookies, popcorn and soda pop. Three volunteers keep the snacks in order. Five people leave.

For the second half, Marion discusses more on how he composes. He offers a metaphor of recipes, taking a bit from here and a bit from there and stirs it all up.

Marion’s strongest compositions are satires of social manners. A perceptive commentary on modern American marriage ceremonies begins “Started out simple and plain,”… (but then it grew without control) “…there are more at the alter than in the pew…(then the bride’s parents offer the intended couple tickets to elope in Las Vegas) “…if its good enough for Elvis, its good enough for us.”

Another influence on Marion’s compositions begins with his youthful memories of listening to distant radio stations on a little AM radio at night. He learned Hank Williams songs and recognized them as special song-writing, better, more memorable than many of the others broadcast on the radio stations he listened to. “You’re my every dream,” Good bye Joe, I gotta go” and “Fun on the Bayou.” This last is a song I forgot was Hank Williams.

Marion reminds us all that folk music is also about singing along with the performer. His first sing along of the evening is Hank Williams “I saw the Light.”

Then Marion recalls for us the Chad Mitchell Trio and John Denver “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Then Marion performs his composition of the same sentiment, “Well, I drove all night to see her; six hundred miles in the rain.”

Marion’s lyrics are evocative of strong images. Battle scenes, funerals, rainstorms, wedding imagery. Lyrics are simple and direct and the word pictures he builds in his lyrics are vivid. His choice of songs from other composers also conjure strong imagery.

The songs he has chosen for the performance, his own and others, remind me of a program that singer country and western singer Stephanie Davis might put together.

Marion continues with two pieces that he enjoys from Kris Kristofferson “Take the ribbon from your hair…” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” Then Marion continues with
two more of his own compositions: “Lingering dream, wash over me…” and “Always lonesome bound….” These are followed by a Tom Paxton number: “Bottle of wine, fruit of the vine…”

Marion closes his performance with “There were times in my life… and ends with “Mary had a baby…think what Mary has done for me…” This last is almost a Christmas carol but it expresses a thought that is not seasonal.

During the concert, Marion used a device attached to his microphone called a harmonizer. This is an electronic device that picks up the voice and guitar and make instant harmony calculations, adding one or two voices of harmony above or below the live voice. I learned this after the concert by talking to Marion. He should have mentioned the device in his introduction, because it was a surprise to me and in the first song he used it on caused a brief distraction for me and some other members of the audience.

I’m glad I came to this performance. An easy evening to enjoy and a reminder that there are lyrics being written that are better than many of the songs promoted in the commercial marketplace.

Marion’s concert is part of The Coffeehouse Series, which is an extension of the concert series presented by the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music. It is presented in the style of the acoustic coffeehouses of the 1960's. Currently the series is scheduled on Friday nights in select months and starts at 7:30 pm. The Coffeehouse is held at the First United Methodist Church of Newport News, which is located on the corner of Warwick Ave and Main Street in Hilton Village section of Newport News.

Admission is by donation, suggested donation is $5.

Refreshments are served at the intermission. For more information regarding the performing artists, click on their icon in the Friends section. If you would like more information about the coffeehouse series, please E-Mail chouse@tffm.org

Previous artists performing in the Coffeehouse Series include Jinmaku, The Moats Dogs, Tina Mica with Mary Beth Carreiro, and Ronnie Jones.

Contact us.
WCRX-LP Editorial Collective
Bexley Public Radio Foundation operating 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 operating as WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM 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 WCRX-LP, 102.1 FM.

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. Bexley Public Radio Foundation.

[where: 43209]

Jun 15, 2010 1:58:00 PM (3 months ago)