Jan Metzger has dual celebration

Son, Andy Metzger (L) and partner John Paige (R) guard Queen Jan

"My sixtieth birthday was a few weeks ago but my main celebration is that two years ago I was told that I had a 25% chance of living two more years," explained Jan Metzger, a Wicker Park resident since the late 1970s.

Jan was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer as she was in the midst of writing her book What would Jane say?  Working at the Center for Neighborhood Technology, she was serving on the SSA #33 Commission, serving as the first Commission Chair.

Surrounded by her family and friends in St. Paul's Cultural Center, Jan was crowned queen of the evening.  Many party goers were dressed in masks and other Mardi Gras finery, everyone enjoyed conversations with old friends and new acquaintances.

The traditional Mardi Gras cake, including the baby, was topped with candles for Jan to blowout.  Having completed the task successfully she smiled and triumphantly noted that, "that is pretty good for someone with lung cancer." 

Jan and her partner John Paige are planning to continue the celebration in New Orleans.