Zoologist and Safari Expert Mark Ross to Present Illustrated Lecture

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Mark C. Ross
WILLIAMSTOWN - Zoologist, author, and photographer Mark C. Ross will deliver an illustrated public lecture, "East African Predator Behavior," at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 5 in Room 112 of Thompson Biology Laboratory.

Ross' most recent published work is "Predator," a photographic work on predator behavior. His works draw mainly upon the field research and experiences he has accrued while living in east Africa. "Dangerous Beauty," a memoir of his experiences as a safari guide and the 1999 Hutu rebel kidnapping in Uganda of a group he was leading on safari, was included in Bill Bryson's anthology, "Best Travel Writing of 2001."

Ross' interest in east Africa and wildlife biology has been lifelong. Growing up on a wildlife refuge on the banks of the Mississippi and alongside the mountains of Montana, Ross was called to Africa and made his first trip as an exchange student to Nairobi, Kenya. After completing his studies in the U.S., Ross returned to Kenya to live and work, teaching biology in the Rift Valley and training teachers in the Peace Corps. Eventually he went on to found his own company specializing in wildlife behavior and photography.

Ross has been involved with the media on a number of occasions, working with Animal Planet, National Geographic, the BBC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and Dateline NBC. In addition to his writing, he continues to teach between safaris, training guides in Kenya and Tanzania, and serves on the board of the Kenya Professional Guide's Association.
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Pittsfield Affordable Housing Initiatives Shine Light, Hope

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

Housing Secretary Edward Augustus cuts the ribbon at The First on Thursday with housing officials and Mayor Peter Marchetti, state Sen. Paul Mark and state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The holidays are here and several community members are celebrating it with the opening of two affordable housing initiatives. 
 
"This is a day to celebrate," Hearthway CEO Eileen Peltier said during the ribbon-cutting on Thursday. 
 
The celebration was for nearly 40 supportive permanent housing units; nine at "The First" located within the Zion Lutheran Church, and 28 on West Housatonic Street. A ceremony was held in the new Housing Resource Center on First Street, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. 
 
The apartments will be leased out by Hearthway, with ServiceNet as a partner. 
 
Prior to the ribbon-cutting, public officials and community resource personnel were able to tour the two new permanent supported housing projects — West Housatonic Apartments and The First Street Apartments and Housing Resource Center
 
The First Street location has nine studio apartments that are about 300 square feet and has a large community center. The West Housatonic Street location will have 28 studio units that range between 300 to 350 square feet. All units can be adapted to be ADA accessible. 
 
The West Housatonic location is still under construction with the hope to have it completed by the middle of January, said Chris Wilett, Hearthway development associate.
 
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