Team Edwards heads to 'higher grounds' for coffee, Internet

  • Published
  • By Airman Mike Young
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif --  After six months of planning and preparation, Team Edwards opened the Higher Grounds Internet Cafe today.

The Higher Grounds Internet Cafe is a facility designed to give dormitory residents a relaxing, non-alcoholic environment within walking distance, said Master Sgt. Wilbert Hoffman, 95th Mission Support and Services Squadron career assistance advisor.

The facility is located in the first floor dayroom of dormitory 2423. It is primarily intended for all dormitory residents, but is open to all ranks, he said.

"The Higher Grounds cafe provides our Airmen with a state-of-the-art facility they can take ownership of," Sergeant Hoffman said. "It provides Airmen with a place to focus on their personal four dimensions of wellness."

According to Airman 1st Class Nancy Rouse, 95th MSSS evaluation technician, the planning committee didn't want it to look like an Air Force facility. Planners wanted it to look like a place Airmen could go to unwind.

Airman Rouse donated time as the lead decorator for the Higher Grounds project. She conducted research on the price and type of furniture and decorations used in the cafe.

The cafe is broken into three sections -- a theatre room, reading lounge and a general socializing area. It also features plasma televisions, gaming consoles, love seats and wireless Internet.

The cafe is furnished with a custom-made counter and plenty of tables and chairs, said Staff Sgt. James Shepherd, First Term Airman's Course noncommissioned officer in charge.

"Furnishings and decorations for the Higher Grounds Internet Cafe were made possible by donations from the community," Sergeant Hoffman said.

Various organizations on Edwards and in the surrounding communities donated more than $30,000 and 300 volunteer hours into the project.

"It was really good to see how much the community supports our Airmen," Sergeant Shepherd said. "A lot of people put a lot of effort into this project."