It rains too much in Washington: and other debatable 'facts' about life around McChord air force base

Airman, May, 2005 by Kimberly Tebrugge

RELATED ARTICLE: Coffee houses abound.

Starbucks is a household name but independent coffee houses are just as plentiful. Small coffee "drive thrus" are the sanity of Puget Sound cities. Little espresso stands are everywhere. Typically people have a regular stand they use and 'baristas' recognize customers' cars and have their orders started before they drive-up to the window.

"Good morning! I've got your tall nonfat double shot sugar-free vanilla latte started, it'll be just a minute." The only thing I haven't figured out is why every state hasn't embraced such caffeinated living?

After awhile all the espresso stands blend right in. Especially if they've combined services like Lighthouse Espresso and Shipping Services, owned for 15 years by Maj. Gregg Whittman, a Reserve C-17 instructor pilot, and his wife, Vicki. Their stand (drive by or go in--there's a table and two chairs) is also a mail center where you can ship packages, buy stamps or overnight your favorite blend of freshly roasted beans to your cousin in Kansas. If you hang out with the Whittmans awhile you'll quickly discover the truth: the coffee is often a cover-up. Regulars really go there for the conversation, camaraderie and friendship.

"This is the 'Cheers' place," Vicki said, referring to the TV sitcom. "People come here and tell us their stories. We try to help them. We at least get them to smile before they go."

Many regulars don't even drink coffee. They like hot chocolate or Italian sodas. Especially the dozens of regulars who are too young to drive.

The stand is next to Stewart Middle School, and kids gather there before and after classes.

"Some kids came in who were failing out of school," Vicki said. The Whittmans became surrogate parents and soon knew when kids had the big tests, and hounded them for results. Slowly, many of the kids' grades improved (candy proved a decent motivator).

Even the school principal noticed. "You're like the family to them," the principal told Vicki.

"We don't have a sign saying 'the doctor is in' but we should," Gregg said. --Maj. Kimberly Tebrugge