If anyone cares about DWTS here are the couples released by US magazine:

Michael Bolton and Chelsie Hightower

Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Margaret Cho and Louis Van Amstel

Rick Fox and Cheryl Burke

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough

David Hasselhoff and Kym Johnso

Florence Henderson and Corky Ballas

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas

Audrina Patridge and Tony Dovolani

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Karina Smirnoff

Kurt Warner and Anna Trebunskaya

TMZ reports that a bailout bank spends millions after receiving its bailout funds from the government.  Full post here.

TMZ states, “Northern Trust flew hundreds of clients and employees to L.A. and put many of them up at some of the fanciest and priciest hotels in the city. We’re told more than a hundred people were put up at the Beverly Wilshirein Bev Hills, and another hundred stayed at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel. Still more stayed at the Ritz Carlton in Marina Del Rey and others at Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica.”

TMZ goes on to report, “Now how’s this for outrage? Northern Trust laid off 450 workers in December, 4% of its workforce.”

“And here’s what’s absolutely amazing: The United States Government flat out gave Northern Trust the $1.6 billion in bailout money, and the bank didn’t even request it! ”

Personally I find this news shocking.  Although I understand the importance of advertising and how much the PGA tour gives back to charities, I do find it appalling that a bank who received funds from the US government can rationalize this lavish gluttonous behavior.  I do still believe that we can climb out from this recession but with big money being wasted like this, my faith in the overseeing of Bailout expenditures wanes.

AlexSablan.info would like to congratulate Kate Winslet on winning her first Oscar. This was Kate’s seventh nomination for the award and beat out Angelina Jolie, Meryle Streep, Melissa Leo, and Anne Hathway for the coveted bald man. Other winner’s on the evening : Heath Ledger, Penelope Cruz, Danny Boyle, A.R. Rahman, and Kunio Katô. For a full listing of awards click here.

I have been a huge fan of Kate Winslet since Sense and Sensibility. This win catapults her to the top of her field and I wish her the best and hope it opens many doors to even greater accomplishments.

I also have to offer my congratulations to the family of Heath Ledger, may this Oscar help to let all his works transcend time.