Jeter-Biel vacation, Arenas' birthday bash and more

                    

	Jessica Biel recently enjoyed some sun, volleyball and time with Derek Jeter. John Sciulli/WireImage.com
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• Derek Jeter has been romantically linked to Jessica Biel since they were spotted getting cozy in Las Vegas the weekend after Thanksgiving. The two seem to officially be a couple now after the Yankees shortstop and the 7th Heaven actress were photographed getting off a boat at their hotel in Puerto Rico last week. The couple reportedly spent New Years with one another in Puerto Rico, playing blackjack at the El Conquistador Resort and Golden Door Spa in a roped off area and playing volleyball on the beach.

• Before Jeter was dating Biel he was hooking up with Vanessa Minnillo, who is currently dating Nick Lachey, who recently became a part owner of the Tacoma Rainiers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Minnillo, however, might have given a sneak preview into her relationship with Jeter in Kiss & Tell, custom-published by Macy's. "I knew it was a special kiss when he leaned in and gently kissed my lips, then said, 'You have nice labios.' I said, 'What?' He said, 'Lips.' We kissed again and he literally took my breath away." Now the MTV veejay never names Jeter as her partner but the New York Daily News reports that the quote was collected back when they were an item early last year.

• Gilbert Arenas labeled this season "The Takeover" before it ever began. Before he dropped a franchise record 60 points on the Lakers. Before he started averaging more than 30 points a game. Before he became known as "The Hibachi."

While Jay-Z might have been the inspiration for this season's nickname, it was Diddy who hosted Arenas' 25th birthday party last Friday night in Washington. It was a quarter century bash that was at least three months in the making as Arenas worked just as hard to get every A-Lister he knew to attend as he did establishing himself as an A-Lister in the NBA.

The party, held at posh nightclub Love in Washington, not only had its own but required every guest to present the bouncer with a black Arenas Express card, tailored after the exclusive black American Express, which had each guest's name printed on the front. Some of the celebrities that walked through the mahogany walls with both cards and performed before the crowd of nearly 7,500 invited guests included Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Lil' Wayne, T.I. and The Game. Donovan McNabb and Jason Campbell were at the party as well along with several other Redskins and Wizards players such as Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.

After scoring 35 points earlier in the night in a 116-105 win over the Clippers, Arenas held court on the club's fourth floor before being presented with a giant birthday cake and giving the crowd some worthwhile advice. "Everybody get drunk and make bad decisions."

• If Beyonce's mother, Tina Knowles seems to be paying extra attention to the Nets Dancers recently there is a good reason. Deréon, the junior apparel collection from House of Deréon, which is designed by Knowles, was recently named the official sponsor of the Nets Dancers this season. Jay-Z, who is dating Beyonce, is one of the owners of the Nets and can often be spotted sitting courtside with the diva and her mother at games. "The Nets Dancers are such a fun part of going to the games," Knowles told the New York Post. "We are thrilled to be able to provide Deréon wardrobe for these extremely talented young women."

• John Popper, lead singer of Blues Traveler, might be a fan of the Cleveland Browns but he can't enough of the New England Patriots cheerleaders. According to the Boston Herald, Popper, who wrote several songs, including Amber Awaits, for former Patriots cheerleader Amber van Eeghen, is now dating current Pats cheerleader Kristin O'Neil. The cheerleaders and Blues Traveler have done three USO trips together in Iraq and Afghanistan. Head cheerleader Tracy Sormanti told the Herald that Kristen and John have been dating since they returned from their last mission overseas.

• Shaquille O'Neal hasn't been able to get many double-doubles this season as he sits on the sidelines, but he is trying to double up on the price tag of his home. He is currently trying to sell his waterfront mansion on Star Island for $35 million, nearly twice as much as the $18.8 million he paid for the home a little over two years ago. Despite a lagging real estate market it shouldn't be too difficult to sell the six-bedroom resort complete with an indoor basketball court, gym, steam, sauna room, pool, Jacuzzi, tennis court, dock and boatlift, four-car garage and a guest house with two bedrooms and a two-car garage. Island neighbors include Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Rosie O'Donnell and Diddy.