30 FEBRUARY 2021 Gordon C. James PR Agency has worked with over 20 clients and various nonprofits during its 30-year career. PHOTO COURTESY OF GORDON C. JAMES AGENCY By Cliff Summerhill It takes more than just time to build a business, especially in a highly competitive field like public relations and marketing. An industry leader needs to be innovative, excelling in communications and creative services while continually forging and maintaining vital relationships across nearly every business sector. These are some of the pieces that make up the success with one local agency. Gordon C. James Public Relations, located near 40th St. and Camelback, recently celebrated its 30-year milestone. In a tumultuous year, the agency has stayed the course while adapting to the terms of a different business world. The man behind the business, Gordon James, was born in Salt Lake City and relocated to Phoenix with his mother shortly after his birth. He lived downtown with his grandparents and great grandmother and attended Madison Simis Elementary and Central High. James left the desert after high school to further his education and start a career. He attended the University of Colorado, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration, and then made his way to Iowa. “I moved to Des Moines after graduation,” James said. “What luck, because I would have never met George H.W. Bush if I hadn’t moved there.” James was in the real estate management business, renting office space to politicians who needed to set up for the caucuses. He rented Bush his first campaign office in 1978. “I met him there, and it was love at first sight,” James said. “I started as a scheduler for the 1980 Bush for President campaign and then eventually did advance work, event management and media relations for GHWB, finally joining him at the White House after he was elected President in 1988. “I still cannot believe that I have been honored to work for two Presidents, GHWB and GWB. Who would have ever thought a Central High kid would have such an honor?” he continued. He explained that the start of GJCPR came about when “I knew I wanted to get out of the ‘every four-year (or two-year) election cycle.’” James moved back to his hometown and started an agency that would continue for several decades – and counting. “For about 20 years, our offices were in the same building my grandfather used for his insurance agency,” James said. “We’ve had the opportunity over the past 30 years to work in every state and multiple foreign countries.” In addition to the PR business, James is on the board of Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and the Veterans Medical Leadership Council. He is also an inductee into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame after serving in the Iowa National Guard from 1969 to 1975, which he said was “the honor of a lifetime.” Celebration plans for the company’s 30th anniversary were put on hold this year due to the pandemic. “Instead, we are focused on acts of kindness as individuals and as a company. We will be using the party finances to contribute to the nonprofits we value, as well as those our client’s value,” James said. The company recently assisted the Veterans Medical Leadership Council with transitioning to a virtual “Heroes One and All” fundraising luncheon. Through the years, the firm has served various companies and organizations, including Bank of America, TriWest, St. Vincent de Paul, Childhelp and Crossroads. “I met the ladies who founded Childhelp, Sara and Yvonne, some twenty years ago,” James said. “Their life mission of protecting some of our most vulnerable is dear to my heart. We are fortunate to work with multiple nonprofits here in Arizona and nationally.” The last year has put a damper on some facets of public relations and marketing, but Gordon C. James is confident and ready. “2020 brought change that will likely stick with us,” James said. “While we are looking forward to more in-person events – from galas to press events – the virtual technology we adapted during COVID has led to some exciting additions to our capabilities and reach. Our intention is to continue to grow as a business and continue to contribute to our community.” Local PR agency fosters spirit of giving for anniversary TUNE IN! Visit our podcast website: arcadiapodcast.com APPLE SPOTIFY YOUTUBE Hosted by: AWA R D W I N N I N G N E I G H BO R H O O D N E W S SI N C E 19 93 TUNE IN! TUNE IN! TUNE IN! TUNE IN! With special guest Marshall Shore, AZ’s Hip Historian.

31 FEBRUARY 2021 T here’s no way around it: spring break will feel different this year. While traveling and gathering with family and friends is not advised, young minds still need a mid-semester break. Parents do, too, especially if they’ve taken on teaching roles. We all need to recognize the year’s stressors and push the refresh button. Spring break doesn’t have to include a beach or an amusement park. The critical part is the break from your usual routine. One project to consider is creating an art-friendly space in your home. This can appeal to all ages, as well as be a stress-buster. It can also add a new focal point that could last beyond the break. The Home Atelier A small atelier, or studio, is a space for creating and expressing emotions through art. With your child as a co-architect, find a room in your home with lots of natural light and define the space using rugs, tables and furniture. It can be as small as a child’s table area or as large as a room. Choose materials with an aesthetic appeal: natural stones, wood, glass, clay, textiles, paints, small building materials, corks, magnets, bottle tops, glues, papers and brushes. Strategically place art and architecture books nearby to inspire. Less is more in an atelier. Use natural materials that delight the eye, skipping the bright plastics or commercially made items. Ideally, use open-ended materials instead of those that dead-end in a predictable craft. Children can help collect things from your home or nature. Adults should give children the freedom to create unencumbered, monitoring mainly to add items that inspire new curiosities. Older children may want more sophisticated materials such as acrylic paints, papers, different kinds of clay and cutting utensils. If the atelier is a hit with your family, it’s a good idea to rotate items in and out to keep children interested and appeal to all ages. Remember, parents need emotive spaces as well, so feel free to join the fun. The children’s interests should dictate new explorations, but some examples of extending creativity may include: • A sewing machine and fabrics; even very young children can learn to sew with help. • A potter’s wheel for those who are getting serious about creating with clay. • A gardening atelier with seedlings started indoors, a large bin with earthworms or a household composting project. • A woodshop can appeal to all ages. With some instruction, goggles and minimal supervision, young children can create things in a woodshop studio just as prolifically as they can with paints and brushes. Older children can learn to use electric tools. A family project like a doghouse or birdhouse can involve each family member, no matter how young. Spring break can be an outside-of- the-box creation this year. Have fun and enjoy the break from the usual routine. Unconventional times call for creative spring break measures Childhood Development Nola Enge, Ph.D., is director at The Hills School, 5524 E. Lafayette Blvd. For more: thehillsschool.org. BY NOLA ENGE Painting and woodworking are outlets that can inspire creativity for kids and adults alike. All photos taken pre-pandemic. Troop 6 follows CDC recommended safety protocols. Chartered in 1934, Arcadia’s Troop 6 enjoys a rich history in Arizona Scouting and remains one of the most well-established and accomplished Boy Scout Troops in Arizona today. Service, community engagement and leadership development become increasingly important parts of the program as youth lead their own activities and work their way toward earning Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout. The Troop regularly meets at Prince of Peace (located at 3641 N. 56th Street, Phoenix) on Monday evenings at 7:00 pm. For more information, contact our Scoutmaster, Steve Radonich 602-717-3006 or steve@scoutwm.com or visit arcadiatroop6.org ARCADIA TROOP 6 Prepared. For Life. ™ Prompt Quality Professional Service r shop - ROM US AVE! Products OFF d Mailboxes 018 -4pm AND SECURE LBOXES ROC#308272 ompt ality ssional vice s oxes ECURE #308272 SINCE 1978 Prompt Quality Professional Service 602-956-7299 • 6 Standard residential locks within 15 mile radius of our shop - If outside area service charge applies. ORDER FROM US AND SAVE! $ 159 95 PLUS TAX • Locks Rekeyed • Commercial Locks • Deadbolts • Residential Locks • Safes • Security Products 20% OFF Safes and Mailboxes VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 4454 E. Thomas Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 Open Mon-Thurs 8:30-5pm & Fri 8:30-4pm LOCKABLE AND SECURE MAILBOXES ROC#308272 Call us today to schedule your appointment!