“Life really does begin at 40. Until then, you are just doing research.”—Carl G. Jung
Cecile and I, Jason, Michelle, Kyle and our granddaughter Lyla were among forty family members and friends gathered to celebrate our nephew Jacob Schwimmer’s surprise 40th birthday party in a the back of the Violet Hour on Damen Avenue in the Wicker Park section of Chicago. The event was hosted by Jacob’s mom and dad, Sherry and Jerry Schwimmer with the assistance and coordination of Jacob’s sister Emily and wife Amy.
The entrance to this hard to find swanky cocktail lounge with—no sign out front—is hidden behind a mural painted wood paneled exterior. A doorman escorted us through a dark passage way and into a private candlelit salon. It had all the feel of a mysterious speakeasy reminiscent of the early 20’s when George "Bugs" Moran and Al Capone were running the streets before the repeal of prohibition in 1933.
Once we were given the word that Jacob and Amy would be arriving soon, we retreated to both sides of the room. When he walked through the curtains we all yelled surprise!
He didn’t know what hit him. He certainly didn’t expect to see family members from California.
While the hand crafted cocktails and other drinks were served by the waiters and waitresses of the Violet Hour lounge, the food was catered by the Big Star, a former gas station and now a Mexican taco-serving honky-tonk bar across the street.
We couldn’t wish to spring this surprise on a better guy. Jacob, who is a well liked affable young man has had a good run of late. Having recently returned from an enchanting 15 day tour of Peru with Amy, he was recently hired as the Director of Operations for Maple & Ash that Zagat rates as one of the best restaurants in the Gold Coast.
Happy 40th Jacob and we extend our heartfelt congrratulations on your well deserved new career opportunity! We are so proud of you, and how you patiently worked your way up the ladder all these years in the Food and Hospitality field. All the hard work has paid off. We love you
