Flashes of Hope is a nonprofit organization that changes the way children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses see themselves through the gift of photography and helps children feel better about their changing appearance by celebrating it. Furthermore it raises money for much needed pediatric cancer research.

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to participate at the Peds in the Weeds Picnic held at St. Paul Woods Forest Preserve in Morton Grove. The event, organized by the Advocate Lutheran General Children’s Hospital and Flashes of Hope, was put on to promote awareness and raise funds for much needed cancer research during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Thanks to many volunteers the grounds were filled with tents, performers and play stations of all sorts. Food, beverages and ice cream were being served in abundance. But above all, there was LOVE, LAUGHTER, JOY, HOPE, STRENGTH, COURAGE and GRATITUDE. Following are the kids and families I had the joy and privilege to photograph during the event.

It was wonderful to see everyone being a true testimony to a saying I recently read by Martin Fischer: “Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth”. It also reminded me once again that Love and Compassion are amongst the strongest remedies.

Allison Clarke and her husband Kip founded Flashes of Hope during their son’s successful treatment for cancer. The first photo shoot was held in August of 2001 at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.

The organization’s goal is to photograph every child until every child is cured. Thank you for allowing Marian Kraus Photography being part of that. I also would like to thank my assistant Lindsay Tosto for having kept things organized. And not to forget thank you to the folks from Bizar Entertainment for some fine tunes throughout the afternoon.

With 2010 having come and gone, it was in and of itself yet another very interesting year, a tad bit more so than previous years of recent history. In the end though, it had treated me well… in a roundabout way. Most of all I was able to expand my own distinct and creative way of seeing people, places and things. And even more so, to convey and share that with others. So…to get a glimpse into my year’s journeys, I invite you to view some of the best photographs from my commercial assignments as well as personal fine art photography work of 2010. Enjoy…and for all of us, to a MAGICAL 2011!

Click here to view the embedded video.

This presentation shows a distinct selection of Marian Kraus photographs from his client’s architectural photography assignments, advertising photography assignments, event photography assignments as well as his personal fine art photography shot in 2010.

I had the immeasurable pleasure of embarking on a trip to Germany over Xmas 2010, with Stella, my 5 1/2 year old daughter.

Click here to view the embedded video.

This short multi media clip may convey some impressions of this wintry excursion to visit friends and family in a country where everybody speaks “funny”…, especially to the ear of a young lady.

Some of what many would consider to be my best shots of the world class matches held at the Pritzker Pavillion at Millenium Park in downtown Chicago, IL during the 2010 U.S. Open Squash Championships benefiting METROsquash, played in the all glass McWil court.

Among the top world class squash players depicted in this gallery are Mohammed Abbas, Thierry Lincou, Oli Touminen, Wael El Hindi, Vanessa Atkinson, Lauren Jans Anjema, Omar Mosaad Abouzid, Amanda Sobhy, Isabelle Stoehr, Line Hansen, Manuela Manetta, Latasha Khan and Nicolas Mueller.

If you are interested in reading more about the event, please follow me to this article, this one, this one or this one about the finals. And if you want so see some of the people follow me here please.

These are photos of the spectators, players, volunteers, sponsors and honored guests photographed during the 4 days of the 2010 U.S. Open Squash Championships benefiting METROsquash as well as Saturday’s evening Gala of this world class squash event.

The Gala evening was catered by world renown Chef Rick Bayless and author Henry Louis Gates Jr.was present for a book signing.

As the evening crowned the week long event it was yet another unforgettable night of this awesome venue. A heartfelt Thank You to all players, volunteers, organizers, sponsors and spectators. We look forward to hosting the 2011 U.S. Open Squash Championships in Chicago again!

To find out more about the efforts and achievements of the urban academic and squash program provided by METROsquash please follow me here.

Recently I had the pleasure to photograph segments of time at the Grand Opening event of Prana Yoga Center’s new location in downtown Geneva, IL at 321 Stevens Street. The new facility brought with it some exciting changes to the class offerings as well as the fact that Prana Yoga Center now has 2 studios for yoga and community building.

The kick off was a 2 hour yoga practice led by Sharon Denton that was attended by about 40 yoga practitioners. The energy level and heat were high in this session and it was evident that all participants were connected to the instructor as well as themselves. Sharon has been teaching at Prana Yoga Center for several years before relocating to Florida in 2009. Many of her students were very happy to see here being back for the weekend.

Following the yoga session was an unforgettable Gong Bath performed by Kenny Kolter of Gong Meditation. The physical sound & vibration of the gong is powerful and soothing, invigorating and relaxing. Gong meditations are becoming more and more popular as the need to de-stress becomes more apparent in our society. I was truly amazed at the vast range of sound that a gong produces, and mesmerized by the powerful meditative effect. Kenny Kolter leads gong meditation sessions throughout the Chicago area. His goal is to be a sound bridge between the energy and spirit that lie within the gong and to sonically draw out or tune into the energy and spirit that resides in us all. In the past three years, Kenny has conducted over 400 gong sessions, workshops and presentations at major conferences, yoga studios, healing centers, Unity churches, mental health centers, and chiropractic care clinics to rave reviews and critical acclaim. He plays a Paiste 30″ Zodiac Planetary Earth Gong tuned to the processional cycle of the earth. Designed primarily for prayer/healing/meditation purposes, this instrument produces a large spectrum of fascinating functional harmonics. The sounds of the frame drum, timpani, and rattle add rich texture to the music that Kenny evokes from the gong. To find out more please follow me here.

Later in the afternoon visitors enjoyed a potluck which offered great food and social gatherings accompanied by Dan on the Guitar. Afterward came a blessing ceremony performed by a Buddhist monk.

The evening presented us with the uniquely memorable music and Crystal Tone Alchemy Singing Bowls of ASHANA. Ashana’s music is a luminous tapestry of soaring angelic vocals and the healing sounds of crystal singing bowls. This stunningly beautiful alchemy is magical. A musical retreat for the soul, it quiets the mind, returning you to a place of deep stillness and remembrance of the Divine … a place where you will be inspired and uplifted … a place of comfort and peace. The haunting, penetrating drones of Ashana’s crystal singing bowls are an integral part of her music and devotional practices. With their resonant, pure-tone frequencies, and the innate properties of crystal, to amplify, transmit and store energy, these exquisite instruments are powerful tools which can be used to enhance meditation and prayer and to support healing. When combined with mantra and prayerful intention, crystal singing bowls can help entrain mind, body and spirit to a more harmonious experience of peace, well-being and balance. To find out more about her and her crystal singing bowls please visit Ashana.

Lisa you and your awesome team ROCK. You all truly make a difference in all of our life’s that have the privilege to be associated with Prana Yoga Center. The world is in dire need of more of these centers…

Thank you & Namaste.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

Fortune favors the bold–El Hindi and Atkinson are crowned as U.S. Open Champions during a rainy yet fantastic evening at the Pritzker Pavillion in Chicago, IL.

The 2010 METROsquash U.S. Open finals featured a battle of textbook squash against the famous Egyptian attacking style. An emotional player, Wael El Hindi is known to have his on and off days. However, from the glowing smile as Wael entered the court, it was clear his heart and mind were going to be in this match.  The first game began with several irretrievable soft drops to the front court by Wael, which quickly took him to a 6-1 lead. The dutch Laurens Jan Anjema, LJ, looked nervous as he tried to establish his groove of fast paced length. A remarkable effort by Wael brought the score to 8-4. Wael showed no signs of giving up on balls that seemed impossible to retrieve. His diligence paid off as he won the first game 11-8 and clenched his fist in a show of emotion. The second game was dominated by LJ’s textbook length.  It appeared that Wael was conserving his energy for the third game. An acrobatic dive by Wael brought the score to 4-6. However , it was not enough as LJ quickly won the remaining points to take the second game 11-5. The critical third game saw both players trading points. As the playesrs began to tire the number of lets increased. However, the calls did not seem to unsettle either player and they kept their composure. Wael attacked with several soft volley drops for outright winners. LJ tried to drop more, but Wael was able  to retrieve most with his immense determination. Wael simply would not give up and won the close third game 11-7. The final game seemed to have taken its toll on LJ who appeared slightly slower. Wael took advantage of this by bringing out more of his front court game. Soft volley drops and incredible retrieving gave Wael a lead at 6-3. LJ made a small run but was always trailing. A tinned volley drop gave the match to Wael at 11-7. It was a hard fought victory for Wael. Today was certainly his day and the packed crowd that stayed up close to midnight gave him a well deserved standing ovation.

The 2010 METROsquash U.S. Open featured the classic match-up of youth against experience. The up and coming Amanda Sobhy had the packed home crowd on her side as she was the youngest U.S. born squash player to ever reach a US open final.

Game one began nervously with short rallies ending with unforced errors from both players. Former world open champion Vanessa  Atkinson used a slower paced game to work Sobhy around the court. The chilly conditions favored Atkinson who played many working boasts and soft drops. Sobhy’s hard drives that got by her opponents in the earlier rounds were cut off by Atkinson’s cat-like reflexes. The experienced Atkinson kept her cool and fully extended Amanda with her accurate short game.  The second and third games had several unforced errors from Sobhy and Atkinson led throughout the match and won comfortably 3-0.

During this past week 96 of the world’s top men and women squash professionals were playing 4 days on an all-glass court on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage. The University Club of Chicago hosted the early rounds in its new Cardio and Squash Center. Attending and serving as honorary co-chairs are Mayor Richard Daley and Henry Louis Gates, Jr., W.E.B. Du Bois Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University. Clare Muñana, Vice President of the Chicago Board of Education, is serving as event chair and Chicago’s own Top Chef Masters winner Rick Bayless who catered the gala reception before the women’s and men’s U.S. Open squash finals on Saturday. “It is my pleasure to co-chair the 2010 U.S. Open in Millenniuim Park, along with the Education Expo that METROsquash is hosting during this historic event,” said Daley. “Athletic activities instill the discipline and perseverance in our youth that help them attain their personal and academic best.” “The support METROsquash offers is key to the future success of young people and I am certain that through continued hard work, motivation, and determination, these students will become leaders in their communities,” added Gates.

All proceeds of the event support METROsquash, a 501(c)(3) non-profit after school program serving Chicago Public School students through the combination of academic enrichment and squash instruction. METROsquash also hosted an educational exposition for 2,000 Chicago Public School students and their families, during the course of the week which gave students a unique opportunity to learn about the ways in which squash, academics, life skills, culture, and community service interact to build confidence and capabilities of Chicago’s youth.

“METROsquash is a leader in combining academics and athletics to provide Chicago’s students with excellent enrichment opportunities,” said Muñana. “This transformational program ensures that its students are fully engaged and supported in all of their endeavors – on and off the court!”

In addition, hundreds of local, out-of-state and international squash players – and METROsquash students – had the opportunity to compete in one of the country’s largest and hotly contested skill level events.

Friday October 1, 2010

By Phil Yarrow

Another packed house at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park in downtown Chicago witnessed some amazing squash in the semi-final matches of the Metrosquash US Open.  The setting could not be more perfect; a beautiful fall evening for this unique outside squash event.

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First on court  former world number one and Dutch champion Vanessa Atkinson.  Her opponent was the Danish number one, Line Hansen.  Atkinson came out focused and put on a clinical display.  Hansen tried to stay with her in the first game, but Atkinson was too strong and took the game comfortable 11-5.  Atkinson continued to dominate in the second game.  Hansen showed some promise rattling off four points to gain an early 4-3 advantage.  But it was a temporary spell of momentum for the Danish woman as Atkinson ran off the next seven points and closed out the second game 11-5.  Atkinson was now in complete control and Hansen became dispirited.  In the third game, Atkinson’s deep drives were causing Hansen all sorts of problems.  She was making errors in the back corners or being forced to offer up weak boasts.  Atkinson won the game 11-0 to complete a comfortable victory. After the match Atkinson said that she wasn’t sure whether she won so easily because of her strong play or because Line had had a bad day.  Regardless of whether the Danish woman was a little overawed by the occasion, it was a solid performance by Vanessa.

The second match was the first men’s semi-final between Omar Masaad and Laurens Jan Anjema.  Masaad was coming off his massive win against Thierry Lincou last night.  But he was up against another tall strong player who would battled him every inch of the way for control of the T.  The rallies were highly entertaining in the first game, but Masaad was prone to a few too many tins.  Anjema on the other hand was disciplined throughout.  He built up a 9-2 lead and then closed out the game 11-4. Masaad started off much better in the second game.  He built a 6-2 lead with some amazing squash.  But Anjema continued with his steady play and the mistakes again start to come off the young Egyptian’s racket.  Maybe last night’s marathon match was taking a bit of a mental toll on Masaad, but there was no doubt that the Dutchman was causing many of the errors and Anjema rattled off eight points in a row to take a 10-6 lead.  Masaad steadied himself and fought off the first two game balls.  Up until this point in the game, both players had been able to play through much of the interference and there was surprisingly few lets.  But that would start to change.  There were five lets at 8-10, before Masaad hit a winner to save a third game ball.  Three let balls followed, before Anjema finally managed to capture the game with a wonderful combination of drop shots that had Masaad scrambling around the front court.

In the third game, Masaad again built a 6-2 lead.  This time though he would push on and he started to force some rare unforced errors from the Dutchman.  He advanced to 10-4 game ball, and then despite a couple of badly mishit shots that followed, he was able to win the game 11-6 when Anjema tinned a backhand boast.

In the fourth game, the lets started to come in thick and fast as neither player wanted to give up the advantage.  It was tough going to win a point.  But again it was the Dutchman who seemed to be just a little bit more focused and he built a 5-2 lead.  The game had seemed such a battle to that point, but in an instant thereafter Anjema would open up a 10-2 advantage.  Masaad had one last stand though and he fought back to 6-10 before a tight drive by Anjema that died in the back corner gave the Dutchman the win.

Masaad had played such great squash in the match but the bottom line is he simply hit too many tins compared to his opponent whose unforced errors in the whole match could be counted on one hand.  After the match Anjema said that it is never easy to play Omar as he is such a dangerous player and with two tall players on the court it always makes for a hard physical battle.

Next up was the 17 year American sensation Amanda Sobhy against Italian Manuella Manetta.  Sobhy has been in incredible form of late.  She strikes the ball with power and accuracy keeping her opponent constantly on the back foot.  In the first two games against Manetta she delighted the packed crowd by simply ripping through her Italian opponent with the confidence that suggests she will soon to be testing all the top women players in the world.  She won the first two games 11-3, 11-5.  To her credit though, Manetta, who had been totally outplayed to this point, seemed to get to grips with the situation in the third game.  She slowed the pace of the game and used more of a lob drop approach to good effect.  She negated Sobhy’s power and the American began to find the tin with increasing frequency.  Manetta won the third game 11-5 and the fourth game was close throughout.  To the great pleasure of the huge crowd though it would be Sobhy who would find the winning touch just at the right time and she would win the game 11-9 to close out the match.

After the match Sobhy said it was amazing to be in the US Squash Open final.  She had been pumped up by the large crowd support.  She will face a tough test against Vanessa Atkinson in tomorrow’s final.  But she certainly will have the crowd cheering her on.

The final match was between Olli Tuominen from Finland and another Egyptian Wael El Hindi.  Tuominen has been a frequent visitor to Chicago tournaments over the past 15 years, but he may never have been playing as well here as he has been this week.  He was simply sensational in his victory over Mohamed El Shorbagy in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night and he would continue that good form at the beginning of tonight’s match.  The Finn dominated the early going.  He was quick on to the ball and his shots were crisp.  El Hindi is an awkward opponent who fights hard and doesn’t give an inch in the middle of the court.  But Tuominen had him off balance and the Egyptian was struggling for a response.  Tuominen won the first game 11-4 and raced to a 6-1 lead in the second game.  Perhaps predictably though, the game started to become much more physical as El Hindi fought back.  Both players were frustrated with the referees’ decisions, but it was tough for the three officials as both players fought for position on the court.  El Hindi got within one at 7-8 and then again at 8-9.  The play was choppy but entertaining.  A no let call brought El Hindi level and a forehand boast in the tin gave the Egyptian game ball.  He would level the match with a tight backhand drive that Tuominen could not retrieve.

The let appeals continued to come in the third game and both players argued a lot with the referees.  The excited crowd was more than willing to voice their opinion to add to the atmosphere.  The game was close throughout.  El Hindi opened up an 8-5 lead but it was soon back on level terms at 9-9.  A backhand drop winner would give the Egyptian game ball and he would take a two game to one lead when Tuominen put a backhand boast in the tin on the next rally.

El Hindi is also a frequent visitor to Chicago and is a favorite with the fans.  They roared their approval as he fought back from such a bad position. The Egyptian was now growing with confidence.  His racket skills are awfully good and he started to punish Tuominen with great shots to the front court and disguised crosscourts that would wrong foot his opponent.  He opened up a 5-0 lead.  But Tuominem did not give up and he battled back to 5-6 as the Finn’s fans in the crowd started to find their voices.  But the Egyptian would regain the initiative and pulled away again and to his great delight at the end won the final game 11-6.

El Hindi said afterwards that he was not feeling good during the second game as Tuominen was putting everything away.  But he just tried to stay calm and play his way back into the match.  That he did and he sets up what should be a very interesting final tomorrow against LJ Anjema.

Quarterfinals day at the 2010 U.S. Open Squash Championships in downtown Chicago, IL. Once again some phenomenal squash matches by the world’s best squash players. Awesome turnout, sponsors and crowd loved it.

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contributed by squashwriter Phil Yarrow

Tonight saw the continuation of the quarter-finals matches of the MetroSquash US Open.  First on court was 11-time French national champion, Isabelle Stoehr, versus the Danish number one, Line Hansen.  Conditions were perfect as it was another beautiful evening in Chicago.  And a large crowd in the Pritzker pavilion at Millennium Park was treated to a highly entertaining opening match.

Stoehr made a solid start and won the first game 11-8.  She continued to have the edge in the second game as well, although Hansen battled hard to keep it close.  A couple of fabulous backhand volley drops gave Stoehr an 8-5 advantage, but Hansen hit back to tie the game at 8-8.  A couple more backhand winners gave Stoehr a 10-9 advantage.  But a delicate backhand volley drop from Hansen took the game to a tie-break.  A tense tie-break saw both players miss opportunities to close the game out before a couple of errors from Stoehr allowed Hansen to take the 15-minute game 15-13 and level the match at a game a piece. The lower ranked Hansen’s confidence seemed to be growing and she was striking the ball solidly with her drives and boasts on both sides of the court.  She built a 6-3 lead in the third game.  A couple of penalty points gave Hansen game ball at 10-5 and she closed the game out with a beautifully executed forehand drop in the next rally. Stoehr came out more determined in the fourth game.  She seemed determined to wrestle back the momentum and she drove Hansen deeper into the back corners and built up a 6-2 lead.  Hansen gradually reeled her back though and her height enabled her to reach into the front corners to retrieve Stoehr’s boasts.  She got back on level terms at 8-8 and then won the next three points to take the fourth game 11-8 and book her spot in the semi-finals. A clearly delight Hansen said afterwards that the second game was absolutely crucial and that head to head she had now beaten Stoehr twice versus many losses!

The next match was the first of this evening’s men’s quarter-final’s between Egyptian Mohammed Abbas and Dutch number one Laurens Jan Anjema.  Anjema has a strong, steady game.  His, deep, hard hit drives kept Abbas under pressure and didn’t allow the Egyptian to play his normally attacking squash.  Anjema built a 9-3 lead and soon after took the game 11-5 as Abbas tined out an attempted forehand crosscourt drop shot from the back of the court.

The second game started off with more of the same and the world number 12 was now really working over the Egyptian.  Abbas called on all his years of experience to hang in there and keep the game close and he was able to get back on level terms at 4-4 and then at 8-8.  Two incredible tight backhand drops shots gave Abbas a couple of game balls. The first was wasted with a loose forehand crosscourt drop that Anjema gladly put away and the second was lost when the referees adjudged that an Anjema backhand drive had died in the back corner, refusing Abbas a let.  Another forehand crosscourt tin from Abbas gave Anjema game ball and he closed it out 12-10 with a solid backhand volley kill. Despite an increasing number of let calls as both players jockeyed to control the T, both players continued to play highly entertaining squash.  Anjema remained on top throughout though and eventually triumphed 11-6 to complete a 55-minute victory. LJ said afterwards that despite the 3-0 score line, the match was far from easy and he really had to play close to his best to beat the experienced Egyptian.

The third match continued to show case top Dutch squash professionals.  This was time it was former world number one Vanessa Atkinson who was up against the rapidly improving English woman Emma Beddoes.  Atkinson looked in control as she built a 10-6 lead in the first game.  But some uncharacteristic errors allowed Beddoes to force a tie break.  Atkinson regained her composure though to win the game 12-10.  Beddoes battled hard in the next two games, but Atkinson seemed just a little quicker and stronger.  Atkinson won the second game 11-8 and led 10-8 in the third.  But Beddoes dug in.  She won the next two points to force another tie break.  Atkinson could not convert on another two match balls in the tie break as her young English opponent scrambled to stay in the match.  Finally at the fifth attempt Atkinson hit the winner which would take her into the semi-finals.

Atkinson highlighted after the match how important it is to take the ball early on the glass court as it tends to die in the back corners.  She felt she attacked just a little bit more than her young opponent and that was the difference in what was a tight 3-0 victory.  Atkinson said that she is enjoying her squash as much as ever and that she feels more relaxed on court as she nears the end of her career knowing that she has achieved everything that she set out to do in the game.

Last on court was a mouthwatering match-up between another former world number one Frenchman Thierry Lincou and the young Egyptian Omar Mosaad.  The first game was a tight affair.  Lincou built a 9-6 lead, but was by no means controlling the play.  A couple of errors from the Frenchman brought the score back to 8-9, but a backhand drop from Omar that clipped the top of tin set up game ball and Lincou closed out the game with a beautiful backhand volley kill. The second game though was all Mosaad.  He took the ball early putting Lincou under substantial pressure.  Midway through the game Lincou seemed at a loss with how to deal with this attack and Mosaad ran out an easy 11-3 winner to tie up the match.

The third game started with some nervy errors from both players but then the game settled into a pattern of play similar to the first game, with tight, well contested rallies.  Both players began to grow a little testy with each other and the referees as they struggled to take control of the match.   Neither player could find that little advantage they needed though and the lead yo-yoed throughout.  It was fascinating stuff; the vastly experienced Frenchman who will battle to the end versus the young and powerful Egyptian who is clearly a rising star.  At 9-9, Mosaad won a fantastic rally with a reflex backhand volley to the open court after Lincou had recovered half a dozen seemingly winning shots at the front court.  But a no let followed that took the game into a tie break.  It appeared a critical moment in the match and it would be Masaad who would eventually come out on top 12-10 as Linocu failed to get a ball out of the back forehand court and then saw a shot from the Egyptian stick to the backhand sidewall.

Lincou started well in the fourth opening 4-1 and 6-3 leads.  He would eventually advance to 10-8, but successive forehand and backhand kills from Mossad took it to a tie break.  This time though it would be Lincou who would hold his nerve and he shouted with joy as Mosaad tinned out to give the Frenchman the game 12-10.

The deciding game was as hard fought a battle as you can get on a squash court.  Neither player giving an inch as the game became increasingly physical.  There was nothing in it to 5-5.  Two fine volley drops though helped Mosaad open up an 8-5 lead.  But Lincou came right back with the most delicate of backhand drop shots and a tin from the Egyptian brought him back within a point.  Two fantastic crosscourt kills from Mosaad gave him three match balls.  Lincou would save the first but a backhand into the nick just after midnight gave him the victory.

Mosaad was very happy after the match with his first win ever over Lincou.  It capped a fantastic evening of squash in the park!

The first night with the McWil glass court on stage at Millenium Park’s Pritzker Pavillion in downtown Chicago, IL. WOW!

What a spectacle. High energy, awesome rallies, the worlds best squash players, top athletes coming together to benefit and celebrate METROsquash‘s five year anniversary to service Chicago’s Public School students. METROsquash offers an after school enrichment program pairing instruction in squash with academic tutoring and adult mentoring to create an unyielding focus on excellence for its students.

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Contributed by Phil Yarrow

The Pritzker Pavillion known to be the centerpiece of the Millenium park in Chicago, is normally used by the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra and Chorus as well as the Grant Park Music festival, featuring classical music played in the amazing backdrop of the Chicago sky line. Tonight’s orchestra however was in some ways different and in some ways similar to the other nights. Tonight the top squash players played on the stage show-casing their talent well into the late hours of the evening. The squash court itself was erected in the middle of the stage and the grand stand was constructed on a raised platform above the audience’s viewing area. The squash tempo in the matches was perhaps similar to a symphony with its climax and its lows, triumph and agony surrounding a dance of movement, strength and skill. All of this display befitted the cause associated with the US Open: Metrosquash. Metrosquash is an organization that uses squash, community service and mentoring to build confidence in urban Chicago Public School students. In addition to the amazing success of hosting the US Open in such an awe inspiring location, Metrosquash organizers experienced further gratification when Metro Squash, one of five organizations short listed for the United Airlines Chicago Impact Award, actually won the $50,000 award in a ceremony held at the United Center while the matches had just begun. Congratulations to David Kay and the rest of the metro squash team! David Kay was present to announce his group’s win after the first match.

Manuela Manetta (ITA) def.Latasha Khan (US) 6-11, 11-3, 6-11, 11-4, 12-10. The match seemed to go back and forth, while the fifth game was the highlight of the match with both players showing determination but the Italian got the better of Khan and prevailed despite Khan saving match ball.