Front Desk

An armed robbery occurred early Friday at the Days Inn on Viking Way in Martinsburg, W.Va. The Martinsburg Police Department continues to search for two robbbers, who had a handgun and took an undetermined amount of cash and other items from the hotel's front desk. See Saturday's Herald-Mail for the full story.

The day resource program at the REACH Center is seeking volunteers to work Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Volunteers are needed for the front desk and as day resource volunteers. Front desk duties include signing in resource center guests and sorting and handing out mail. Day resource volunteers assist individuals with crisis needs such as evictions, utility shutoffs, medication assistance, etc. They also assist clients with information and referral to other agencies, filling out applications, finding jobs, document, sort and put away donations, organize resource materials and help clean the REACH Center as needed.

Applications for the Citizens Police Academy are being accepted until Friday, Aug. 28. The program begins Tuesday, Sept. 15, and continues every Tuesday through Nov. 17, for three hours a night at Hagerstown City Police headquarters. Applicants do not need to be Hagerstown residents but must be at least juniors in high school. Anyone interested in participating in the free program can pick up an application at the front desk at police headquarters. For de-tails, call 301-790- 3700, Ext. 272.

The You 2 Can Lose Couples Weight Loss Challenge will be held at the Chambersburg YMCA, 570 E. McKinley St., Chambersburg, beginning Monday, Feb. 27.  This challenge is a chance to lose weight, get healthier and get in shape in a team-based six-week program that continues through Monday, April 9. Ages 18 and older, couples may be spouses, friends, co-workers or family members.  Fee is $25 per person, register at the front desk of the Chambersburg...

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - The first phase of renovations at Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library began last week as the library updates and remodels the first floor. The first phase includes changing the front desk area to make room for the computers it received from the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, library Director Scott Valentine said. The Alexander Hamilton Library is one of six county libraries that received four computers and a laser printer from the foundation this spring.

Police: Man who robbed Hancock hotel dies in crash after pursuit HANCOCK -- Still coming to grips with a robbery at the Super 8 hotel where she and her mother were bound with duct tape and a telephone cord early Sunday, Kanika Ajmani said in an interview Sunday afternoon that she will never stray from her mother again. "We're not going to leave each other alone anymore," Ajmani said, holding her mother's hand as she described the incident. "I'm feeling very scared," said Ajmani's mother, Naresh Ajmani.

tammyb@herald-mail.com At the Comfort Suites on Dual Highway, Front Desk Supervisor Teresa Justice was busy Thursday morning dealing with two kinds of customers - "people running from" Hurricane Isabel's effects in Washington County and "people running to" Hagerstown from areas harder hit. "It's been a little bit of both," Justice said. "We've had some cancellations, but we've also had some reservations. " She anticipated more guests as the storm reached the coast Wednesday afternoon.

The Hagerstown YMCA Gala Fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Four Points Sheraton in Hagerstown. Tickets for the gala, "Diamonds and Ice," can be purchased from any member of the YMCA Board of Directors or at the Y's front desk. The cost is $300 per ticket, which entitles the holder to cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 6 to 7 p.m., followed by dinner for two. There will be dancing to the sounds of D.V.K. Entertainment. Prizes from local businesses and restaurants will be given away.

Movies opening this week -- "War of the Worlds" (PG-13) - Steven Spielberg's modern retelling of H.G. Wells' classic thriller reveals the extraordinary battle of an alien invasion through the eyes of one American family fighting to survive it. Tom Cruise, Miranda Otto, Dakota Fanning and Tim Robbins star. -- "Rebound" (PG) - Following a public meltdown, a high-strung college basketball coach must redeem himself by leading a junior high school team of athletically-challenged youngsters.

The 22nd annual Hagerstown YMCA Gala Fundraiser will be Saturday at the Four Points Sheraton. Tickets for the Diamonds and Ice Gala are on sale and can be purchased from any member of the YMCA board of directors or at the Y's front desk. The cost is $300 per ticket, which entitles a couple to cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 6 to 7 p.m., dinner for two, one of 200 chances for the grand prize drawing of a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta and dancing to the sounds of D.V.K. Entertainment. Prizes from local businesses and restaurants throughout the community will be given away, as well as other drawings and door prizes.

The Hagerstown YMCA Achievers Banquet will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 901 Dual Highway, Hagerstown. The event honors adults from the community who are positive role models. The Teen Achievers registered in the program will also be recognized. Keynote speaker will be Michael Markoe, associate superintendent for Educational Improvement and Innovation. Event is open to the public Tickets can be purchased at the front desk of the Hagerstown YMCA, 1100 Eastern Blvd, Hagerstown.

The Hagerstown YMCA's Achievers Banquet will be Saturday, April 13, starting at 6 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel's Hager Hall on Dual Highway in Hagerstown. This year's theme is “Be, Believe, Become.” The guest speaker will be Michael Markoe, associate superintendent for educational improvement and innovation for Washington County Public Schools.  Markoe leads system-wide initiatives that prepare schools and students to achieve maximum success in the 21st century. In addition, the following Adult Achievers will be honored: Octavia Harris, director of human services at Volvo Truck Operations  in Hagerstown and Brenda Thiam, autism specialist with Washington County Public Schools.

1. 'Toast to the Twenties' The YMCA Hagerstown Gala fundraiser "A Toast to the Twenties," will be Saturday, Feb. 23,  at Hager Hall Conference & Event Center, Dual Highway, Hagers-town. Cocktails at 6:15 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:15 p.m. Cost is $295 per couple. Tickets may be purchased at the front desk of the YMCA or from any member of the YMCA Board of Directors.  Call Linda at the YMCA, 301-739-3990, ext. 4211. 2. Look to the sky "Lunar Odyssey" will look at myths and origin theories of Earth's closest neighbor, the moon.

An overflowing crowd gathered inside the entrance of Meritus Medical Center Sunday for a tradition known as the Tree of Lights, which recognizes the spiritual nature of the holiday season while highlighting an annual fundraiser for the hospital. The crowd was pretty remarkable since it was held at the same time the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers were playing, said Joseph P. Ross, president and chief executive officer of Meritus Health. “That's testimony to the strength of this tradition,” Ross said, joking to a crowd of about 200 people.

The You 2 Can Lose Couples Weight Loss Challenge will be held at the Chambersburg YMCA, 570 E. McKinley St., Chambersburg, beginning Monday, Feb. 27.  This challenge is a chance to lose weight, get healthier and get in shape in a team-based six-week program that continues through Monday, April 9. Ages 18 and older, couples may be spouses, friends, co-workers or family members.  Fee is $25 per person, register at the front desk of the Chambersburg...

The Hagerstown, Waynesboro and Chambersburg YMCAs have formalized an agreement that will allow the 16,510 members among them to use facilities at any of the three Ys. Now, a Y member who lives in one community and works in another can use the fitness center in either location. The changes go into effect Jan. 2. “We've looked at what opportunities we have to serve our members better,” said Alan Smith, executive director of the Waynesboro (Pa.) Area YMCA. Across the nation, the Always Welcome at the Y program allows members to visit any of the 2,700 locations.

Editor's note: Caitlin Kelch is a marketing coordinator and analyst in The Herald-Mail digital department who was living and working in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. What follows is her account of that day and the impact the terrorist attacks have on her life 10 years later. --- To me, there is something deceiving about a beautiful late summer day. As summer ends, the skies take on a pristine blue shine on sunny days and the light appears nearly golden. This is when I start to get nervous.

Kids In Motion, a new program at the Chambersburg YMCA for kids ages 6 to 10, begins on Monday, June 6. Classes will include active games, running and yoga. Special guest speakers will join us throughout the eight -week session to talk about their active lifestyle and share some activities with the group.  The session runs from 7 to 7:45 p.m.  Mondays and Thursdays through July 28 (there will be no class on July 4). Cost is $30; $25 for YMCA members. Fee includes a T-shirt.  Registration is available at the front desk of the YMCA. Contact Barb Houpt for additional information at 263-8508 or bhoupt@chbgy.org .

Soulful Saturday Black History Month dance with live music; co-sponsored by The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and The African American Organization. 8 p.m. Saturday. Knights of Columbus, 336 Garfield St., Chambersburg, Pa. $20 per person; $35 per couple. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Call 717-477-1616. Hancock Winter Festival Snow or sand sculpting, hat parade and other activities. Sponsored by Hancock Arts Council. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Police: Man who robbed Hancock hotel dies in crash after pursuit HANCOCK -- Still coming to grips with a robbery at the Super 8 hotel where she and her mother were bound with duct tape and a telephone cord early Sunday, Kanika Ajmani said in an interview Sunday afternoon that she will never stray from her mother again. "We're not going to leave each other alone anymore," Ajmani said, holding her mother's hand as she described the incident. "I'm feeling very scared," said Ajmani's mother, Naresh Ajmani.