"We've been working it," Murren said, adding that Nevada's congressional delegation is involved in the effort "to encourage him to visit our community and see firsthand what we've been able to accomplish."

CityCenter is important to the country, not just Nevada, Murren said.

"It's the largest creation of jobs in one swoop, the largest green project in the U.S.

"It's the most outstanding symbol of America's economic revival as the economy continues to heal," Murren said during an interview at the "Rock for the Cure" fundraiser for the Nevada Cancer Institute at The Mirage last week.

"It's like the phoenix rising from the ashes of the Great Recession," he said.

After co-founding the Nevada Cancer Institute eight years ago with her husband, Heather Murren is turning her attention back to the business world.

A former top-rated Wall Street analyst, she was appointed in July to the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The commission, she said, was formed "to determine the cause of the financial crisis and hopefully find some way not repeat it."

SIGHTINGS

At the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden: Joe Pesci, Magic Johnson, Mickey Rourke, Mario Lopez, Brandon Jacobs, Jeremy Piven, and Tommy Hearns. ... Staying at Palms Place this weekend: Muhammad Ali, New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter, his teammate CC Sabathia, music mogul Diddy, CNN's Larry King and baseball slugger Gary Sheffield. They were also in town for the Pacquiao-Cotto fight. ... Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell, at the Flamingo shooting their new movie "The Other Guys" on Saturday. Ferrell was wearing a "Vegas Baby Vegas" T-shirt and Wahlberg had a tall Margaritaville drink in his hand. Ferrell and Wahlberg were spotted golfing Saturday at the Wynn golf club . ... NBA legend Julius Erving, at Santana on Friday at the Joint (Hard Rock Hotel). ... James Carville, walking through the Forum Shoppes on Saturday. ... E!'s Chelsea Handler, at Tao (The Venetian) on Friday with sidekick Chuy, singer Natasha Bedingfield, actress Mary McCormack and Handler's boyfriend, Comcast Entertainment CEO Ted Harbert. ... Monte Carlo headliner Frank Caliendo, giving shout outs at the end of his opening night show to TV sportscaster Jim Gray (in town for his 50th birthday party) and Pro Football Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson. Caliendo's show included walk-ons by Terry Fator, Carrot Top and Louie Anderson. Also in the crowd: political pollster Frank Luntz, with Bill and Lynn Weidner; and UFC fan favorites Frank Mir and Stephan Bonnar. ... "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes, at Lavo (Palazzo) with her husband, Gregg, on Friday. ... At the Palms on Friday: baseball veteran Jermaine Dye, at N9NE Steakhouse; Osi Umenyiora, defensive end for the New York Giants, at N9NE with a large group that included Vernon Davis, tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. At Moon nightclub: illusionist Criss Angel and Umenyiora. ... Comedian Kevin James, at the 4 p.m. Saturday Mass at Guardian Angel Cathedral, 302 Cathedral Way. ... Rapper 50 Cent, appearing at a promotional appearance for his new album "Before I Self Destruct" at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Strip.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Is there anything in the health care plan to help Sammy Sosa's face?" -- David Letterman

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.