Roses from reader Amy Fowler and the board of the Autism Society of North Carolina-Orange Chatham Chapter (ASNC-OC) to UNC Pediatrics residents who spent January growing beards (some hypoplastic, particularly in the case of the female participants) for a great cause: ASNC-OC.

The altruism spread to Duke Pediatrics residents, other departments at UNC (Dermatology, to name one), and even the local N.C. Medical Society Durham Orange Chapter. Their efforts resulted in over $2,500 in donations to ASNC-OC. “Roses” are also due to the Timberlyne branch of Wells Fargo which donated $1,000 to the organization this past fall.

“Autism is a growing problem; according to a recent CDC report, autism affects 1 in 70 North Carolinians,” Fowler says. “Thanks to these organizations, our local chapter can dedicate its energy to providing support groups, educational programs, and family outings for local community members with autism and their families. If anyone is interested, please join our Yahoo listserv or ‘Like’ us on Facebook.”

Roses from reader Maria Ikenberry, executive director of Eyes Ears Nose and Paws, to the Town of Carrboro for going out of its way to make Carrboro an inclusive community.

EENP had a graduation ceremony March 2 at the Century Center where it was partnering two clients with assistance dogs. One of those clients uses a wheelchair. EENP thought it would not be able to use the stage for its ceremony because it is not wheelchair accessible.

Carrboro Alderwoman Jacquie Gist thought otherwise. She got the ball rolling, and with the help of Town Manager Dave Andrews and town staff members Pam Kirk, Robert Douglass, Wendell Rodgers, and Chris Sherman, EENP was able to hold its graduation ceremony on stage as it usually does.

“The town went to considerable effort to make this possible,” Ikenberry says. “We really appreciate their positive attitude and willingness to make this a priority even though it came up at the last minute. That kind of care and attentiveness to inclusivity is what makes EENP proud to call Carrboro home.”

Roses to UNC’s P.J. Hairston for taking Carolina fans on a thrill ride in the ACC championship Sunday afternoon. The sophomore’s 28 points in the Tar Heels’ loss to Miami made the game a lot closer than the final 10-point margin would suggest.

“For a while on Sunday, North Carolina and Miami played a classic, ... one of the finest games in a long season,” staff writer Andrew Carter wrote on the N&O’s UNCNow blog. “But after 10 ties and 16 lead changes, the Hurricanes made the last push and held off UNC for a 87-77 victory.”

Hairston, playing with eight stitches, led the team in scoring and tied the Tar Heels tournament record with six 3-pointers. The team has received a No. 8 seed in the NCAA South Region and will meet the No. 9 Villanova Wildcats in Kansas City on Friday.