Peak a place to unwind

  • Published
  • By Airman Michael Battles
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  The Peak Internet Cafe, located directly outside the dorms, is a place for young servicemembers to socialize and have fun in an environment specifically designed for them.

The café is hosted by Travis' Chapel One as a free, safe environment for Airmen to have fun close to home.

"I want a place for the Airmen to come and be able to relax," said Claudette Ramirez, the Peak café coordinator. "I call every one of the Airmen who come into the café my children. I am always here for them when they want to talk and I want them to feel this is their home away from home."

The café provides full-service Internet access for Airmen on base. The facility has 10 computers Airmen can access during business hours for work as well as personal use.

"The Peak is cozy, comfortable, and has an at-home feeling every time I come in," said Airman 1st Class Cody Harrison, 660th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. "It's a great alternate to just staying up in your room. Usually there is a variety of Airmen you typically wouldn't get the chance to meet."

The program also offers a full-service, free coffee bar worked by volunteers, which includes coffees, frappuccinos, Italian sodas, and assortment of hors d'oeuvres.

"The Peak gives our Airmen a home-style atmosphere for socializing," said Lt. Col. Steven Torgerson, 60th Air Mobility Wing, wing chaplain. "Many of our trips to Bay Area activities and sites originate at the Peak. In fact, most of them are thought up by Airmen. We consider the relationships we build with our dorm-dwelling friends critical to the hometown atmosphere the chapel wants to help build at Travis. We consider Travis our hometown and the Peak our living room."

Also for musically inclined Airmen the cafe has a variety of instruments including a piano and drum set to use, but the café always encourages Airmen to bring their own instruments and perform for the other Airmen.

"I feel like it's my home away from home," said Airman 1st Class Arriel Bromley, 6th Air Refueling Squadron in-flight refueling operator. "Claudette always has home cooked meals, new ideas to entertain Airmen and she always makes it an inviting atmosphere."

The Peak café is always looking for new volunteers who have new and exciting ideas that can help improve the program, said Ms. Ramirez.

The facility also offers a variety of movies Airmen can check out for the evening.

The Peak café is located at bldg. 1348; business hours for the Peak are Monday through Saturday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

For more information or volunteer opportunities, contact Ms. Ramirez 712-8573.