"We could have played musical chairs and decided the primary then and there," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's daughter Christine Pelosi, who was sitting a few feet away.

All through the big day - and the days leading up to it - the state's Democratic divos preened and paraded their way through a steady stream of parties and press availabilities. And all the while, Feinstein, as chief hostess of the inaugural bash, got the spotlight.

"As a former governor and presidential candidate, Jerry is probably the best-known of the three here in Washington," Christine Pelosi said of the non-Feinsteins. "But in terms of star power, Gavin and Antonio both held their own. They were surrounded by scores of fans wherever they went."

Feinstein, of course, enjoyed the biggest ride. Not only was she the emcee at the inauguration, but she got to ride in the limo to the Capitol from the White House beforehand with Barack Obama and George W. Bush.

Even Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger got in on the attention-grabbing act.

As he picked up an award Monday from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for his support of arts in the schools, Arnold joked, "It's amazing the excitement that's going on in town," according to a USA Today blog. "I feel so honored that all these millions of people come to support me."

Monday night, Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, attended a Save the Children charity event at the suburban home of her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.

The hundred or so attendees included no fewer than four former California Assembly speakers: Villaraigosa, Bob Hertzberg, Fabian Núñez and Willie Brown.

The biggest star of the night, however, was Maria's cousin, Caroline Kennedy - considered the front-runner to be appointed to Hillary Rodham Clinton's New York Senate seat if she is confirmed as secretary of state.

Kennedy was her usual quiet self, although she did talk with Villaraigosa at some length.

State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, who was also at the party, said talks on solving the state's $42 billion budget mess would resume Thursday in the state capital.

"We're shooting for having something ready in the next 10 days," Steinberg said.

Where's Antonio? "Watch Antonio - now that he has a free ride running for re-election, he's all over Washington like a wet blanket."

That was the observation of Bay Area attorney and Democratic insider Joe Cotchett on Villaraigosa's high-profile parade through the capital, seen as proof positive that he'll challenge Attorney General Brown and Newsom for governor once he's officially re-elected L.A. mayor in March.

Villaraigosa's communications director, Janelle Erickson, tells us her boss raced to some dozen events from Saturday through Tuesday - everything from the Latino Inaugural Gala at Union Station to the Green Inaugural Ball hosted by Al Gore at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery to the gay and lesbian Human Rights Campaign Equality Ball at the Mayflower Hotel.

There was also a Feinstein reception, a meeting with Obama's domestic policy council adviser, Melody Barnes, and even dinner with former San Francisco Mayor Brown.

Just in case Jerry and Gavin are keeping tabs.

Let the funding begin: Californians ponied up $6.5 million to help pay for the new president's inauguration - with many giving the max of $50,000.

So what did they get for the money?

One donor - who asked not to be named because the donation is still a sore spot with his wife - told us the basic package was:

Two good - but not great - inaugural tickets. Invites to a gospel brunch. Plus a series of small cocktail parties, including one with Vice President Joe Biden, and tickets to the big bipartisan black-tie bash attended by the new president.

Across town, the 400 or so top fundraisers for Obama's presidential campaign were also given the red-carpet treatment - although their festivities came with some expectations attached.

At a luncheon hosted by Obama campaign fundraiser Penny Pritzker, the money folks were told the goal now is to raise money for the Democratic Party.

"Everyone in that room was proven good to raise $500,000 or more," said Bay Area fundraiser Wade Randlett.

No specific goals were mentioned, but "with this crowd, you don't have to," Randlett said.

"Take it from me," he said, "it is 10 times easier to raise money when you have a sitting president."

Job offer: Word is that Kofi Bonner, the Lennar Corp. executive overseeing San Francisco's big housing, retail and stadium plans for Candlestick/Hunters Point, is under serious consideration for a job in Obama's new administration.

Bonner isn't talking, but confidantes say he met with Shaun Donovan, Obama's nominee to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to talk about a high-level agency appointment.

Bonner briefly served as Oakland city manager and San Francisco's economic development chief under Mayor Brown. He's probably best known for helping to turn Emeryville into a shopping and housing mecca as that city's redevelopment director, and for helping get the Cleveland Browns' new football stadium built as the team's chief administrative officer.

Sources say he was recently contacted by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office about applying for a couple of jobs in his administration, including as city housing commissioner - yes, the same post just vacated by secretary-designee Donovan.

And finally: A San Ramon reader says he went to pick up a book on reserve at the local library over the weekend, and couldn't help but notice that Chesley Sullenberger - the hero pilot who safely landed his US Airways jetliner in New York's Hudson River - had put in for a CD that was still awaiting pick-up.

The title: "Joy Ride."

EXTRA! Catch our Web page at www.sfgate.com/matierandross.

Chronicle columnists Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross appear Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays. Phil can be seen on CBS-5 morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call them at (415) 777-8815 or drop them an e-mail at matierandross@sfchronicle.com.

This article appeared on page B - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle