Meet Babs! (Bring Your Checkbook!)

The promoters of Barbra Streisand's 15-city "farewell" tour are wagering that for some rabid fans, the privilege of meeting the diva might be worth $50,000.

Interested? Wait till you see the whites of her fingernails first.

The 64-year-old superstar launched her tour Wednesday with a sold-out show in Philly; she'll come to Verizon Center next Friday, with ticket prices ranging from $100 to (gulp) $750. But a recent flier e-mailed our way seemed to push the limits on Babsmania even further:

"A very small number of people per city will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet with Ms. Streisand following each concert," it read, under Streisand's tour logo. For $50,000, a fan and three guests would get "exclusive access," a group photo and four autographed souvenirs. All proceeds will benefit the star's charitable foundation, which supports mostly lefty groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and the Center for Public Integrity.

Wow -- sounds like a Clinton birthday party! Only problem: Streisand's people had never heard of it. "It's not her style," said publicist Dick Guttman , after checking with the singer's manager. Another publicist, Ken Sunshine , e-mailed us: "No truth whatsoever about paying for access to backstage."

So it was a hoax? We were ready to write an exposé (Nigerian e-mail scams go Hollywood!). Then came a call from a rep for tour promoter Michael Cohl . Said Fran Curti s : Not a hoax, but "something the tour has been working on as a unique opportunity to help raise money for Barbra's charitable foundation."

Curtis was not able to answer whether this unique opportunity was still being offered -- whether anyone was shelling out the dough, or whether Babs was playing along. "Why would they do this without letting her know?" Guttman wondered late yesterday. We ducked out under cover of night, leaving angry publicists to speed-dial each other cross-country.

LOVE, ETC.

· Born: A baby girl, on Tuesday, to edgy art-film stars Maggie Gyllenhaal , 28, and Peter Sarsgaard , 35, her publicist confirmed to the Associated Press. The couple are engaged to be married. He's perhaps best known for playing our colleague Chuck Lane in "Shattered Glass," she for getting spanked in "Secretary." They blessed their daughter with a first name, at least, that many people can pronounce: Ramona .

· Split? : Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn , the reigning couple of the glossy-mag world, are either "100 percent done" (according to US Weekly) or have "slowed down" (People). Her publicist did not respond to requests for comment -- but then her publicist never acknowledged they were dating. Which in hindsight seems very crafty. Breakup? Break up WHAT?

HEY, ISN'T THAT . . .

· Oliver Stone , ducking into a private party in Georgetown late Wednesday after speaking to a class at American -- HIST 288, also known as "Oliver Stone's America." Despite the name, he doesn't actually teach it -- prof Peter Kuznick does -- but he pays a visit every couple of years. The ever-controversial director looked fit and rugged in a dark sport jacket and open-collared shirt.

· Kathy Griffin, posing for photos yesterday while touring the Rotunda at the Capitol. The stand-up comedian and self-mocking reality-TV star, who performed on Wednesday at the KenCen, wore jeans and a red top.

SURREAL ESTATE

Buyer: Henry Paulson

Asking price: $4.5 million

Details: Hey, if he's investing, maybe that bubble hasn't burst. The job that lured him here will likely only last two more years, but the new Treasury secretary didn't hesitate to shell out for some pricey real estate in the shadow of Washington National Cathedral. Then again, Wall Street guys can afford it -- some years back this 4BR villa-style home was owned by senator-turned-N.J. Gov. Jon Corzine , like Paulson a former Goldman Sachs chief. Amenities include terraces, balconies, wooded views, an antique stone fountain and lots of privacy.