By Heidi Heffernan, from the January 2004 Newsletter

Well, this month I have the pleasure of introducing you to Bob Hoffmann, Co-op Webmaster. In a nutshell, it’s Bob’s job to keep the Co-op Web site, updated as well as set up staff email accounts. But he doesn’t just post old newsletter articles; he’s also responsible for looking at new technology offerings and deciding if those technologies are worth implementing on the Co-op site. Bob is proud of the Co-op’s Web site, and rightly so. When he took it over it was only two pages big. Bob has turned it into a 500+ page site that is easily navigable and quite informative.

In real life, Bob works for WSU, serving as their Web Coordinator for Extension. Bob used the Co-op’s Web site as an example of his work to land the job over there. In addition, Bob also serves on the Radio Free Moscow Board of Directors, where he has been working with others in the community to get our new community-supported radio station up and running. Radio Free Moscow (KRFP 92.5 FM) has a target date of May 1st 2004 to be up and running. As I write this, the organization is exploring studio space to have somewhere to broadcast from.

“That’s a fun thing; it started as a brand new organization, before incorporation, now with non-profit status… we got our permit to construct from the FCC. The organization has just done a lot in its short life, but the ultimate goal will be realized on May 1st, when community groups and individuals can volunteer to come up and have their own radio show…spread their own message.”

Bob maintains the membership database, keeping it updated, sending out renewal notices, solicitation letters, receipts and the like. He also helped arrange Radio Free Moscow receiving the Co-op’s 2% Tuesday last May. If you would like to contribute to the Radio Free Moscow fund, visit the Web site to access online contribution forms. The group has raised $16,000 of the projected $25,000 start-up and first year's operating budget.

“We are well on the way but we also really need additional contributions to help make it work.”

Student memberships are $15, Regular Memberships are $25, and “for the low, low price of $100 you can become a Founder.”

“Media consolidation is just a horrific thing—it’s getting to be that you have your choice of the American Pravdas. What we’re trying to do is bring some choice to the airwaves. It’s only locally. Hopefully some day we’ll be streaming on the Internet and all that good stuff.”

Although there are other local issues Bob would like to be involved in these days, his available free hours have been seriously eaten up since last January 19 when his son, Oscar, arrived on the scene.

“I am always wishing I had more time for this and that, certainly including him.”

Oscar’s arrival is the newest chapter in one of my all-time favorite “How did you meet your partner?” stories. Bob, who originates from Medina, Ohio, was riding the Greyhound when he met Leeanne Witzel in the Seattle bus station.

“We rode off through the night to Spokane chattering the whole night long, swapped addresses, pen-palled for a year. I visited her and she visited me and then I moved out here and dated her for a while, married her, had a kid…and I have not regretted any of it for a moment! If she had lived in NYC it would have been a different story! Moscow is a great place. It’s a great place if you’re a young person wanting to have fun in a laid-back atmosphere. It’s a great place if you’re a parent wanting to raise your kid.”

Once relocated in Moscow, becoming involved in the Co-op was easy to do. He was (and still is) a member of the Cleveland Food Co-op. Healthy eating and community-based living have always been part of his lifestyle. Plus it didn’t hurt that the Co-op was the closest market to his first Moscow apartment—a three-minute walk! The story is that one day Vicki (Reich, Co-op buyer) was working the register and asked Bob what he did for a living. When Bob told her that he was a Webmaster, she jumped on the chance and asked him to volunteer to take on the Co-op’s Web page. Bob agreed and the result has been… Well, check it out yourself and decide.

If you have any questions/comments/wishes regarding the Moscow Food Co-op Web site, you can send Bob an email. For additions or corrections to any page, please copy and paste the URL of the offending page into your email message. Any references to unspecified pages will receive a response of "Huh?" or the like.

Heidi Heffernan lives in Moscow with her husband and daughter and already has one of her radio preset buttons tuned to 92.5 FM.

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