24 OCTOBER 2018 By Rachael Bouley Arcadia is a family-centric neighborhood known as a great place to raise kids. But eventually, these kids actually grow up and leave home. That’s when parents eventually reach what is known as the “empty-nester stage.” Census data shows that more than 15 percent, or 18 million U.S. households are empty-nesters, defined as occupied by parents who don’t have children of any age living at home. This number is growing as more and more mothers and fathers drop their kids off at college and watch them prepare to navigate adulthood. This Fall there will be many Arcadia families experiencing this for the first time. Luckily, there’s plenty of others who have been through the same adjustment period, and they have some advice for how to get through the harder parts. Charles Forker says he and his wife are lucky that, although their kids moved away for college, they came back to the Valley for their careers and to settle down. Charles says they found it tough when their kids left at first, but were able to cope by “keeping busy and finding things to do in Arcadia.” He credits the array of volunteer and social opportunities in Arcadia for helping him and his wife stay focused and fill their time that was suddenly no longer needed to shuttle kids around and prepare them for school and sports. Although it was hard at first, he says they learned to adjust and knew it was in their children’s best interests to develop a life away from their childhood home in Arcadia. By remembering that your kids are only a phone call, short drive or flight away, it becomes easier to cope with an increasingly quiet and lonely house. It’s also important to for empty-nesters to remember how this is all part of life’s journey, and it’s essential for their adult children to learn to live and thrive on their own. Local mom Virginia Shaffer says that her own mother instilled some valuable wisdom when she was preparing for law school. “My beautiful mom said ‘I have given you the wings to fly. Now go fly and I trust that from time to time you will come back to the loving nest you came from. That is my greatest hope, now go enjoy your flight wherever that may take you’.” Virginia says these words have always remained with her, and she plans to approach her eventual empty nesting with the same attitude. “It was so true. She and my dad laid such a beautiful nest full of love and support that she was confident I’d come back when I needed and wanted to, and for that I will always be grateful,” she said. “That is what I strive to do with my own kids. Because I know it’s a recipe for success, even though I shudder at the thought of that day when my children fly away.” Arcadians share tips for new empty-nesters Mark A. Wyse, M.D. Kate Montgomery, FNP Allan Goldman, D.O. David Francyk, D.O. T.E. McCauley, M.D. Tyler Southwell, M.D. Joanne Stark Esthetician Alisha Archibeck, D.O. Jennifer Francyk, PA-C Victoria Rhodes, PA-C Dermatology Charles Levison, M.D. Because caring for your health has always been our passion, we’ve made the following services conveniently available in our office. • Excellent care for all ages • Same day appointments • On-site clinical laboratory and X-rays • Dermatology services • Botox and Jan Marini skin care now available • Acne treatments, facials, peels and dermal blading MON–WED 7AM–7PM THURS–FRI 7AM–5PM SAT 7AM–NOON EXPERT DOCTORS AND PRACTITIONERS. CONVENIENT SERVICES. EXTENDED HOURS. 4350 E. Camelback Rd., Ste F100, Phoenix, AZ 85018 • 602.955.8700 • FPSAZ.com C E L E B R AT I N G 49 YEARS of family care Catherine O’Neill, MSN, FNP WHAT I BELIEVE WHAT I’LL DO Arizona needs more proactive problem-solvers in the legislature—not more of the same partisan politics. Democrats and Republicans need to work together to find real solutions to the problems that face our state. Promote policy solutions that invest in people AND save the state money in the long run. WE NEED TO INVEST IN COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS TO MAKE ARIZONA WORK FOR EVERYONE Paid for by Elect Aaron Lieberman • Authorized by Aaron Lieberman AARON4AZ.COM @AARON4AZ ARIZONA NATIVE. ENTREPRENEUR. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION EXPERT.

25 OCTOBER 2018 KACHINA Quality Dry Cleaning 602-955-5540 3926 E. Indian School Road Arcadia Family Owned & Operated Since 1959 Home & Office Pickup & Delivery Available BUSINESS BRIEFS BLUEPEARL, EMERGENCY VETERINARY & SPECIALTY ANIMAL HOSPITAL BluePearl’s Glendale location has moved into our neck of the woods. The new animal hospital is located at 3110 E. Indian School Road. MY THREE GIRLS BAKERY This family-owned boutique bakery will provide fresh, homemade goods and light breakfast and lunch items. Opening later this month, My Three Girls Bakery will be in the Citrus Plaza at 4801 E. Indian School Road. CAMELBACK SPORTS MEDICINE There is a brand new building going up on the west side of 44th Street, south of Camelback. It will be a new home for Camelback Sports Medicine, which will be moving from their location near The Henry, around the first of November. UNBAKED This dessert shop features unbaked cookie dough and house-made ice cream. Located at 3712 N. Scottsdale Road, Unbaked opened this summer, and features vegan and gluten-free options. REMEDY PILATES & BARRE A new location is coming to the Gaslight Square Shopping Center on the southeast corner of 36th and Indian School Road. The facility will be opening in the coming months.