50-year marriage got its start here

Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward's 50-year marriage, eons by Hollywood standards, started in Las Vegas at the El Rancho on Jan. 29, 1958.

They had met on the set of the production "Picnic," where he made his Broadway debut at 27 and she was a 21-year-old understudy.

Their wedding came a week after Newman, then 33, divorced his first wife, Jackie Witte. Woodward, 27 at the time, was briefly engaged to writer Gore Vidal.

Newman, who died Friday at 83, was race director of the 1981 Las Vegas Grand Prix, when Caesars Palace hosted the Formula One event.

Newman showed up at "Catch A Rising Star" at the Excalibur in March 2002.

He was in town with his lifelong friend, Ray Lamontagne, who owned "Catch A Rising Star" for many years, said Lynn Garlock-Wright, Lamontagne's business partner in the comedy club from 1997 to 2003.

"They were here to meet with scientists from UNLV who were working with hydrogen to power automobiles," said Garlock-Wright, who left the comedy club in 2006 to open The Wright Entertainment, a public relations, marketing and entertainment company.

Her first meeting with Newman was at a Bakersfield, Calif., auto racing track, after Lamontagne asked her to join them. Garlock-Wright drove into the pit area, and "as soon as I opened the door, there was Paul, handing me a cheese sandwich and Pepsi. It was like my welcoming."

She added, "The man was a treasure."

Newman and Lamontagne, who both lived in Connecticut, were partners in creating the Hole in the Wall Gang, a charity that provided recreational camps for children with cancer.

THE ELVIS QUESTION

Elvis Presley fan club president Sue Laurenz sent an e-mail Saturday, clearing up the question of why there isn't a major street named after the entertainment icon.

Elvis' longtime road manager, Joe Esposito, had raised the issue during Friday's Walk of Stars ceremony for Presley at the Riviera.

Elvis Presley Court was granted to a cul de sac in the north end of Las Vegas in 1988.

Two other versions have Elvis in the name, including Elvis Alive, near Mount Charleston.

According to Laurenz' Web site for the Viva Las Vegas Club, the fire department, for 911 emergency purposes, will not approve another street for Elvis. Laurenz' club raised every penny for Elvis' ceremonial star.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Cher's health issues remained under wraps Saturday after missing three shows in a row at Caesars Palace, and four in September. Her next show is scheduled for Tuesday, and there was no status change announced on that. She has a history of abdominal problems and Epstein-Barr virus, a chronic condition.

SIGHTINGS

Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson, on their way Saturday to a Sky Villa in the Palms' Fantasy Tower. Ronson was deejaying at Rain. ... O.J. Simpson, hanging out Friday at Cherry nightclub at Red Rock Resort. ... Gin Blossoms drummer Scott Kusmirek, jumping onstage Friday to join Zowie Bowie at Red Rock Resort. The Gin Blossoms, in town for a corporate show at Mandalay Bay, hung out backstage with the Zowie Bowie duo. Their friendship goes back to Tempe, Ariz., the hometown of both groups. ... Actor Zach Levi, celebrating his birthday Friday at LAX (Luxor) with fellow "Chuck" cast members Yvonne Strahovski, Joshua Gomez, Sarah Lancaster, Scott Krinsky and Ryan McPartlin, and also his friends, actress Amy Adams and actor Joel David Moore. ... Aubrey O'Day from Danity Kane serving as celebrity host Friday at Christian Audigier The Nightclub (Treasure Island). ... Country singer Trent Tomlinson, partying at Pure (Caesars Palace) with friends.