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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Demonstrators in Park Square Urge Voting; Polls Close at 8 p.m.

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Community members stood in Park Square on midterm election day urging everyone to use their voices at the polls. 

The standout was organized by Indivisible Pittsfield, and accompanied by a demonstration the previous day and another on election day at the Woodlawn Avenue rotary. 

"It's very important to vote, especially historically. Women didn't always have the vote. Minorities didn't always have the vote, so it's so incredibly important for everybody to go out and vote," said Rose Fiscella, with Indivisible Pittsfield. 

"Not just men, not just women, not just minorities. Everybody. No matter who you want to vote for — red, blue, purple — anybody." 

As a 20-year-old, Fiscella emphasized the importance of young people exercising their civic duty. Her sign read "Don't let America's 250th be our last." 

iBerkshires spoke to attendees at the beginning of the rally in downtown Pittsfield, down the street from polling locations at the Berkshire Athenaeum and Providence Court. 

"To me it feels more important than ever to vote and vote blue specifically," said  Lois Prew. 

"I'm encouraged that people are turning out in high numbers to vote. I feel like there's a blue wave going on, so I'm encouraged by that."

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