Putting the FUN in FUNdraiser

Dunno why, but last night's Booker-less event at the contemporary offices of Jet.com felt more like a party than a high-end loot harvest.

Make no mistake; it was a high-end loot harvest. In fact, it harvested $50,000 or thereabouts. Even GA threw in a few shekels! Ka-ching!

But somehow, it didn't feel like that kind of a stiff, moneyed-crowd fundraiser. Maybe because the Jet.com lounge space was hip and casual. Folks were just chilling, relaxed and enjoying themselves.

GA arrived a bit late, after local dignitaries Mayor Dave Roberts and Senator Bernie Kenny had left. But it was nice to catch up with City Council members Jim Doyle and Emily Jabbour, my neighbor Cristin Cricco-Powell and friends from the Hoboken Democratic Committee. Oh, and Mayor Dawn Zimmer and her husband, Stan the Man.

Boy, oh boy- Dawn Z looked great! Tanned, healthy, exuding relief that she's not our mayor anymore. Can you blame her? And, she's excited to start her new job in the private sector on July 9. Forgot the name of the company and every other detail about it, except for the topic: the environment, climate change, flood management... stuff like that.

Oh yeah-- Senator Cory Booker!

GA knew he was a no-show when he popped up at 6:35 PM on MSNBC in a live interview with Ari Melber from Capitol Hill. In fact, I yelled at my TV: "Cory, what are you doing on Capitol Hill!!! You're supposed to be in Hoboken!!!" Cory did not answer. However, GA found out later that the Senator was there for a farm bill vote.

Well, that was too bad. However, Senator Booker made a video from his car, which was played for all. In it, Booker announced that Ravi Bhalla is a "rising star." Hey, we knew that. Just don't forget us little people when you're a big shot, Mr. Mayor!

For disappointed guests, Booker has promised Mayor Bhalla that he will be in Hoboken soon in for a 'make up'! And last nights attendees will be comped for the next one. Yep. Maybe Ravi can sell balloons there to make a few bucks?

Okay... it was getting late, so before it was over GA took these pics: