The Buzz Mission and Beliefs, The Writers and the Challenge

The Battle Ground Buzz is an online connection point for those of us sharing in the ongoing story of Battle Ground, WA.

My name is Curtis Miller and I’m the owner and publisher of the BG Buzz.  I took over from the founder, Josh Monen, who moved to Bend in October (2012) to pursue a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  We decided that running a hyper-local news site should be done by someone who is… local.  So, with much discussion and alignment of vision, he gently placed the Buzz in my hands.  It is a great honor and responsibility to fill his shoes.

The Buzz is our place to connect, find deals, events, news, stories and initiatives in our community.

To follow the Buzz around town I’d encourage you to subscribe to the email newsletter. In the box on the home page, just enter your name and email address.  It comes out once each Tuesday with a bit of relevant commentary and goings on.
If you have story suggestions, comments or questions, please drop me a note.  Our team of writers will tackle it – or you can write it yourself.
Thank you for visiting the Buzz and I’ll see you around town.

Buzz Mission – Sharing Battle Ground’s Story

Buzz Vision – Battle Ground’s front porch

Buzz Core Values
Summary:  Every life has intentionally designed-in value and an irreplaceable role to play in the greater story.  

1. Value is demonstrated, understood and measured within the context of story and is always infinitely greater than a finite perspective can encompass.
2. Humans are designed for relationship.  In order for LIFE to be fully expressed and experienced – in order to be fully alive, LIFE must be shared.
3. There is always more to discover – about everything and everyone.  Humans have an endless capacity to discover and grow in both depth (roots) and impact (fruit).
4. Life is complex but it is not complicated.  It can be fully engaged in but not fully grasped.  The existence of life is outside human cause, control and comprehension.  We are the primary recipients and participants, not the primary designers, creators or sustainers.  Accepting this with humility removes an enormous burden and submits us to a caretaker role we are capable of fulfilling well.
5. Purpose, goodness and restoration are part of every story and every detail of every story, no matter how bad or uncomfortable.  Believing this changes how a story is interpreted and requires a larger context.
6. Collaboration produces more inclusive and longer lasting results than independence.
7. Humility and cooperation are vital historical elements of Battle Ground’s true identity.  If we elevate and practice these traits with courage, our identity will become healthier and more impactful with every interaction.
8. The impact of a story is proportionate to how it is told both quantitatively and qualitatively.
9. Anyone can practice the art and the science of story telling by receiving generously and giving honestly.
10. Everyone has much to give and much to receive, Over focusing on either will cause degradation of the connections between characters in the story.
11. Battle Ground already has the capacity (people and resources) to be healthy and impactful.  Every interaction contributes or detracts from the execution of that capacity.
12. Community is organic.  Institutions, mechanics, economics, politics and religions need to be seen as elements of the organism.  They are too limited to provide or support the elements of structure within community on their own.
13. Battle Ground is built on a powerful and unusual historic legacy.  Our collaborative efforts are supported and empowered by that legacy.  We are not “starting” a movement, we are offering our unique roles to the continuing story.
14. “Small Town feel” is much more about the relationships between people and entities than the size of population.  If we invite and challenge “new-comers” to participate in relationship and connect to our history, they will add to rather than detract from our “small town feel.”
15. “News” is newsworthy if it helps connect people more intimately with the story they are a part of.  It is damaging if it threatens connection by arousing suspicion, casting blame, causing contention and fostering separation and prejudice.  There is always more to a story than any one perspective can know to be justified in reaching absolute conclusions.

Curtis Miller  (360)798-9989   curtis@battlegroundbuzz.com

Our Writers:

The Battle Ground Buzz is by the people, for the people.  Here are the writers who have helped contribute to the Buzz:

Cheryl Butler

Cheryl helps women every day create lasting lifestyle changes with a Holistic approach that embraces Body/Mind/Spirit. Your individual program will give you the tools, recipes, and guidance you need to lose weight, reduce stress, improve your appearance, have more energy, and bring more balance into your life.

 

Wayne Rivers

Wayne Rivers is a Certified Public Accountant with a practice in Battle Ground WA. He has been helping businesses and individuals with their accounting and tax issues since 2005 and can be found at www.wayneriverscpa.com. He enjoys bicycle riding, geocaching, reading, Mexican food, and spending time with his family.

 

Curtis Miller

Curtis is the owner and publisher of the Battle Ground Buzz.  He lives and works as a freelance writer and carpenter  in Battle Ground with his family.  He is at Old Town Battle Grounds drinking coffee and visiting with friends at some point on most days.  Email curtis@battlegroundbuzz.com.

What everyone can do:  Battle Ground Citizen Promise
This four step process is a simple way for anyone to interact with their community to defeat isolation and share life.  If we do this together, it will change the world – one life at a time.

1. Pay attention to the people in my circle of influence.
2. Give generously when asked.
3. Receive humbly when I need.
4. Tell the story.