New Jersey Nets: Kiss Those Forty-Three Cent Seats Goodbye

New Jersey Nets tickets went on sale yesterday for their future home in Brooklyn.  The long delayed Barclays Center is scheduled to open in the summer of 2012 and start hosting the Nets that season.  The team is offering  a variety of "All-Access" seating packages which run from $99 (in the lower deck) to $1500 (courtside) per game.  The team's new slogan should be "Come For Vujacic; Stay For A Kardashian."

The Nets are offering the few die-hard season-ticket holders first crack at the 4,000 All-Access premium seats which offer perks like unlimited food and soft drinks, private entrances, concierge service and early access to the arena.

If you are one of those Nets fans, in the witness protection program at Newark's Prudential Center, and are used to snagging a 43-cent ticket on StubHub, fugeddaboudit.  There will be 2,000 tickets priced about $15 at the team's new location, but the chances of snagging a bargain-basement Nets ticket for the newer and trendier Brooklyn locale will be out of the question---no matter how bad the team is.

The flash factor alone will go through the fast-rising roof top.  The Knicks may boast their Big-Three, but the Nets have Jay-Z.  The rap star mogul and a state-of-the-art arena.  That means Beyonce and a slew of celebrities not named Woody, Dustin or Spike.  The curiosity factor will draw new Nets fans in droves, even if the 43-cent tickets will have as much of a chance as a Net victory.

Years of legal haggling and zoning red-tape had turned the 18,000-seat Barclays Center project into a construction quagmire even the woeful Nets front office couldn't get into.  But it was the Nets image which has really gotten stuck in the mud.

New majority owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, and his partner, Jay-Z, took over a team that hadn't contended since 2006-07 season and failed to land a big-name player last year.  Deron Williams is a start.

The Nets watched as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony played footsie with the Nets big aspirations, only to be left at the PATH station.  The Knicks had the hubris to taunt their incoming rivals by placing a billboard of their prized player, Amar'e Stoudemire, staring down at the giant hole at the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic--the site of the Nets new home.

The Nets are counting on luring fans, new and old,  by not charging personal-seating licenses. They said the All-Access deals are just as good and will allow purchasers first-shot at buying tickets for other non-Nets events like concerts and boxing matches.

"I think this is the best entertainment buy in all of New York," claims Brett Yormark Nets CEO, "Especially when factoring the ability to see top acts like Madonna before tickets hit the secondary market."

If you are a Nets fan, that is definitely a perk---maybe the highlight of the deal---especially when you have to commit to purchasing the locked-in priced seats for the first three years. 

The average price of a current Nets ticket is $60---one of the lowest in the league.  The new average price at the Barclays Center will be around $132--more than the Knicks current average ticket price of $88 and one of the highest in the league.

The Nets cross-borough rivals price will be rising next season after the Knicks announced a 49% increase to cover the on-going renovations at Madison Square Garden. 

The Los Angeles Lakers currently get an average price of $113 per seat--the costliest ticket in the league.

It's hard to believe the Nets, in their inaugural season will be getting more than Kobe and company, but if more money means more wins...Go Kris Humphries.

Master Class Cooking Experience with Neill Anthony at Kia Ora!

It's amazing that I interact with all these wonderful people on Twitter, but even more so when I actually get to meet them in person and do projects together. Like Robert Miller who I met last year and ended up doing a lingerie photo shoot with. And Michelle Dickman who I started following randomly and now she's done my hair and make-up on two photo shoots. Then earlier this year I came across chef-to-the-stars, Neill Anthony with whom I recently had a very cool cooking lesson. Twitter is really amazing and if you're not on it, you better make a plan!

I just thought I must share my master class cooking lesson with you I had with Neill. When I found out he's a chef, I knew this was only going to end well. When we finally agreed to put in some effort to make everything happen, I decided to make the most of it. The idea was a cooking lesson with a few friends, initially, but then we wanted Neill to work his magic in a really stunning kitchen. Mine just doesn't cut it. Then SA model and business woman, Tanya Fourie, was kind enough to let us use her absolutely gorgeous villa, Kia Ora (which means 'be well/ healthy) for the evening. Breathtaking, eh?

Then we invited some cool guests over, but it was hard deciding who, because we could only be eight to keep it intimate and prevent a huge party from happening. Neill and I were joined by one of my best friends, and fellow-blogger, Johlene; radio presenter, Evox Cape Town and South African Blog Awards owner and sports enthusiast, JP Naude; brand activation manager at Kfm, Denver Apollus (he's becoming quite a regular on my blog); Kfm presenter, Theo Esau; 7de Laan actress, Sulette Winterbach and her boyfriend, Jaco van Wyk, who does the marketing and communications of the Boland Rugby website.

Neill starts with all the preparations before the guests arrive.

Once everyone arrived, we started off with champagne, sponsored by Villiera Wines, while waiting in anticipation for Neill to start with our lesson. I must admit, the only thing I really paid attention to, was how to make basil pesto from scratch. I stepped out of the kitchen for a short while to have champagne and mingle, and when I got back, everything was ready. Sorry Neill, but at least I grated some cheese.

Starters: homemade linguini, basil pesto, shaved parmesan and herbed ricotta. This was my favourite dish! The ricotta just complimented the basil pesto and when I added some chili oil, it just tied everything together so deliciously. I loved this dish so much, that I attempted it the next night again. Ok, so I didn't make everything from scratch, but I felt creative and added baby-marrows and chicken fillets to mine. From starters to mains in no time!

Neill, me and Sulette, hard at work.

And I am still grating cheese!

Keeping the guests entertained!

Yes, Theo, that is the cheese I finally managed to finish grating!

Neill, how come you gave me all the crap jobs? Huh?

Neill brought Hello Kitty plasters. He's forgiven.

Homemade linguini!

Sulette helped make the basil pesto and couldn't wait to try it!

Neill and Johlene

Neill dishing up. Oh now I'm hungry all over again!



Mains: smoked chili braised leg of Karoo lamb, spiced white bean cassoulet, salted cucumber salad with cumin camoulla. The bean cassoulet and lamb topped with the cucumber salad worked so well together! The meat was so soft and absolutely great-tasting. Aah, I have to stop talking now.

Checking up on Neill as he dishes the bean cassoulet. Biggest beans I have ever seen!

The bean cassoulet. Mmm!

The Karoo lamb placed on top of the cassoulet.

Topped with salted cucumber. It doesn't taste salty. More pickled. And it's amazing how these three completely different flavours just perfectly compliment each other. Well done Neill.

After dinner I chilled with JP. Awesome guy and (almost) talks as much as I do.

Dessert: Caramelised peaches, coconut dust, crème freshe, hazelnut espuma.

Denver watches as dessert's being prepped...

... while the girls explore and appreciate this, beautiful, all white, villa! Kia Ora will definitely be my villa of choice for my next romantic getaway or girls weekend. Ooh, that's an idea!

Before we knew it, the evening was over. Not only have we had the most wonderful eating experience, but we made new friends, spent time in Kia Ora, had loads of wine and champagne, but we also left with a few cooking tips and completely stuffed.

Neill Anthony - Thank you so much for the wonderful evening and for spoiling us with your talents and cooking skills! It was the best food I have tasted in a long time. I especially loved that you paid attention when I said how much I love basil pesto and chili, and worked it into the menu. Thanks for the lesson and for answering all our weird questions.

Now, people, if you don't know this about Neill, he has worked with Gordon Ramsey and has cooked for big names, such as U2, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, The Beckhams, Elton John and Paul McCartney.

Tanya Fourie - A special thanks to you for allowing us to use your magnificent villa, Kia Ora. It truly is beautiful and all the guests loved it!

Thank you Villiera for the champagne! It went down really well with the cuisine!

Then another big thank you to Johlene who helped with all the arrangements! You have been a big help. Thanks to JP, Sulette, Jaco, Theo and Denver for the wonderful evening. Again soon!

J

(Please do not use, copy or download pictures without permission)

BROOKS BROTHERS

Profound Aesthetic ‘Wood Collection’ Wristwear

SARTORIAL SOUNDS - music, culture & style.

* Jesse Boykins III
* Mara Hruby
* Joekenneth Museau
* Joshua Bennett
* Theo Martins
* Melo – X
* Rinaldy Alvarez

Kanye West to release scarves Inspired by “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy”

Kanye West has teamed up with the famous graphic design and art direction team M/M [Mathias Augustyniak and Michael Amzalag of M/M] to create a new range of silk scarves inspired by his latest album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy:

..scene from Paris Fashion Week.

DESIGNER CREDITS:
Photo 2. Designer: Nicola Formichetti[MUGLER]
Photo 3. Designer: Hakaan Yildirim

..made in heaven - ALEXANDER WANG

K.I.S.S.I.N.G

- Mary-Kate Olsen & Stefano Pilati K.I.S.S.I.N.G at the YSL afterparty for the Met Gala Premiere, at the Bunker, New York.
-Photo Olivier Zahm

SEAN PENN in Haiti: A traveler on a mission.

Cameron Diaz Looks To Star In Film With A-Rod; We See "Gigli 2"

Hollywood star, Cameron Diaz, and New York Yankees slugger, Alex Rodriguez,  could be making a major film together soon.  If Diaz has her way, the Yankee third baseman, and current flame, will star opposite her as leading man in a romantic comedy.

The Daily Express, a British newspaper, claims the actress is shopping the idea of a baseball-themed rom-com around Tinseltown.

That's pretty funny because only last month at the Super Bowl, camera-shy A-Rod went bonkers after Diaz was shown on the big Jumbotron screen plopping individual kernels of popcorn into his mouth.  I guess love is never saying no when the producer is your girl.

Whether for research or romance, Diaz has been spotted in Tampa watching the Yankees and A-Rod a lot in spring training this year. 

Diaz and A-Rod had been routinely spotted together since last year and, only recently, have made the relationship public domain.  Cam-Rod have now joined the ranks of celebrity couples like "Bradgelina" or whatever they're called.

According to a source close to Diaz, the actress and aspiring producer has been taking more of an interest in the game itself for her film production.

"She's very excited about developing her own projects, and the fact this one is about a baseball player means she has good reason to spend time with A-Rod and the Yankees,' the source said.

"She's even thinking that Alex could star in the movie with her."

Diaz has starred with athletes like Lawrence Taylor in "Any Given Sunday" and Brett Favre in "There's Something About Mary" before; while the closest A-Rod has gotten to a Hollywood set  is dating Diaz and Kate Hudson.

Last year, A-Rod was set to make his acting debut in "Friends With Benefits," but the role never panned out.

Just what the film-going public needs, another vanity project from a self-indulged couple who thinks the public is enamoured with their love affair--in a baseball setting much less.

Couples starring in films together are usually a recipe for disaster.  Breakups are almost as common as  A.J. Burnett breakdowns.

"Gigli," that bomb starring Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck and was even banned in New Jersey, which started that whole annoying conjoined names thing with "Bennifer" is a prime example.  Now if Gigli was about a group of gigolos, A-Rod might be a good leading man.

For every Bogie and Bacall in a "To Have and Have Not", there is a "Eyes Wide Shut" with Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise--otherwise known as Kid-Cruise or Cruise-Man.

If Diaz's project ever gets the green light, maybe Cam-Rod could then remake some of the baseball classics.

"Bang the Drum Slowly," maybe?  No, too suggestive a title for A-Rod.

"The Babe" is a possibility.  It could be about A-Rod's go-go dancer friend in Toronto from way back.

"Pride of the Yankees?"  No way that'll ever happen.

"Bingo Long and the Traveling All-Stars" would work.  Just hire the rest of the Yankee team.  Derek Jeter already showed his acting chops in last year's action comedy "The Other Guys."

What the world really needs is another "Major League."  Hey, you can never get enough of Charlie Sheen these days and the Wild Thing is going to need work pretty soon.