You're Invited to the First Annual ACHS On Campus Graduation Ceremony October 8, 2011

Hey there -

Just want to make sure you know about the historic ACHS event coming up ... our first annual on campus ACHS Graduation Ceremony taking place October 8, 2011, at the ACHS campus in Portland, Oregon. We hope you can make it!

Friends, family, and the local community are welcome to attend in celebration of ACHS graduates’ accomplishments. This is a relaxed, open-house style celebration and free to attend. So, if you're a recent ACHS graduate, current ACHS student, or a holistic health supporter in the Portland area, we'd love to see you on campus for this event honoring ACHS graduates.

The Details
Name: ACHS Graduation Ceremony
Date: October 8, 2011
Time: 5-8 pm, PST
Place: American College of Healthcare Sciences, 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239
RSVP: Contact Tracey Miller at (800) 487-8839 or via email at traceymiller@achs.edu

> Read the full-length press release online at http://www.achs.edu/news/news-detail.aspx?nid=274

If you have questions, need lodging or green travel suggestions, feel free to post your questions here. We look forward to seeing you at graduation.

Hang Out with ACHS at Spaw Day, A Fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society

Don't have plans for tomorrow evening? Come hang out with us! American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is participating in Spaw Day, a fundraiser for the Oregon Humane Society, hosted at Sniff Dog Hotel (1828 NW Raleigh St. Portland, OR 97209), Thursday, August 25th, from 6-8pm.



Spaw Day, an Oregon Humane Society event hosted by Sniff, is a fun opportunity for you and your dog to relax and enjoy spa activities together, including massages, aromatherapy, manicures, and other spa-like features.



Stop by and visit with us! It's going to be really fun! For directions, click here http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Sniff%20Dog%20Hotel

First Annual ACHS Graduation Ceremony October 8

The 1st Annual ACHS Graduation Ceremony is October 8, 2011 and you're invited!



In response to your positive feedback, we're moving the graduation event from the Avalon Hotel to the American College campus in John's Landing, Portland, which will allow us to host more participants, family, and friends for a fun and relaxing celebration. ACHS Graduation will take place October 8, 2011, from 5-8 pm, PST, at the American College: 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland, OR 97239.



ACHS Graduation 2011 will be an open house-style event, free to attendees and open to all ACHS students, graduates, and the local community.



For more information about how to participate, visit http://faq.achs.edu/questions/114/ACHS+Graduation+Ceremony+Information

Planting Herbs in the Fall: Which Herbs Are Best for Your Zone?

It’s the first day of fall (already!). Can you believe how quickly the seasons are passing? Of course, it may feel a bit more of a dramatic shift here in Portland, Oregon, because we had a short summer. Cooler temperatures than normal and more rain.

But it looks like fall is here. The leaves are turning from crisp greens to fiery jewel tones and the air has more moisture. The rain in coming! But before the weather turns for good, it’s time to plant our fall herbs. Planting in the fall gives herbs the chance to root so they are ready for harvest in the spring.

The best herbs to grow depend on the grow zone you live in. Before you make your selection, we suggest you find your climate zone on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to ensure what you want to grow is compatible with your zone. Here’s the link: http://www.usna.usda.gov/Hardzone/ushzmap.html

Portland, for example, is hardiness zones 8-9. There can be lower levels of light here in the fall (and certainly in the winter), so Portlanders may want to select shade-loving herbs, such as parsley and peppermint.

Or, if you live somewhere that gets too cold for herbs to thrive and/or does not get enough direct light, consider growing your herbs in containers, so that you have the option to move them around (or even take them indoors, if needs be).

You also may want to concentrate on bulb herbs—like garlic, fennel, and saffron—which should be planted in the ground in the fall at least six weeks before the first freeze.

If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you may find this Monthly Garden Calendar from the Oregon State University Master Gardeners Program: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/calendar/ - september

You may also enjoy the article “The best herbs to grow in fall” for ideas about which herbs to plant: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/calendar/ - september

We hope your first day of fall is fantastic and look forward to hearing more about your fall herb garden. Post any planting tips, photos, suggestions …. here!

We’ve also started the discussion “What’s your favorite thing about fall?” on Facebook. Join the discussion here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-OR/American-College-of-Healthcare-Sciences/99091122240

ACHS hires Fayne Griffiths as ACHS Director of Student Financial Services and Registrar

We're proud to announce that we have recently hired Fayne Griffiths, MBA, to join the ACHS team. Fayne will work as Director of Student Financial Services and Registrar for the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS).

Fayne, who has resided in the Pacific Northwest for more than 30 years, has served students in several Portland-area colleges, including as Director of Student Services, Director of Financial Aid, and Director of Student Financial Services and Registrar.

"I am excited about serving ACHS," Fayne says. "Helping students who are dedicated to helping others is the highest privilege I could imagine. My goal is to energetically and usefully apply my previous experience to continuous improvement efforts of the College."

Griffiths will work with new and returning ACHS students, “providing stewardship of students' academic information,” Fayne says. “Enrollment information, grading, and student account information are all areas I will assure the controls are in place to provide complete accuracy.”

“I was first introduced to the various modalities of CAM through my work with another Portland-area complementary alternative medicine college,” Fayne adds. “Repeatedly, I have both witnessed and benefited from the profound healing provided by highly educated and caring alternative health providers. I am grateful to once again have the opportunity to serve this amazingly talented and dedicated group of students.”

**We also want to congratulate Heather Baley, who, until recently, had been ACHS's longtime Registrar. Heather has been promoted to Dean of Students! Way to go Heather!

About ACHS
American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) is one of the first accredited, fully online college offering degrees, diplomas, and career-training certificates in complementary alternative medicine. Founded in 1978, ACHS is committed to exceptional online education and is recognized as an industry leader in holistic health education worldwide. For more information about ACHS programs and community wellness events, visit www.achs.edu, call (503) 244-0726, or stop by the College campus located at 5940 SW Hood Ave., Portland OR 97239.