The Courier: February 23, 2021

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February 23, 2021

Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort Subsidized Passes PSP COMMUNITY RECREATION If you are a winter sport fanatic and already have your skis waiting by the door or if you are looking to try a new sport this winter, alpine skiing at Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort is for you! Beginner to advanced skiers will find the right trails from the adaptive skier area, children’s programs to some extreme skiing in the terrain park. You can also improve your techniques with ski/snowboard lessons. Don’t have your own equipment? No problem! Rentals are available onsite for an extra fee. Visit Kinosoo.ca for COVID-related changes to equipment rentals and lessons.

To foster your love of the outdoors, the PSP Community Recreation Department offers subsidized Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort tickets to active members of the 4 Wing Defence Team.

We have implemented a new system to offer members the ski subsidy, while following the COVID safety measures implemented by Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort.

This year, members must purchase their tickets online at Kinosoo.ca. Then, bring your printed receipt to the Col J.J. Parr Sports Centre - Sports Stores (located at the back entrance). We will provide you with a cash rebate. Rebates will be available Monday - Friday, 8am - 2pm.

Rebate amounts are as follows: Adult/Youth lift tickets: $13 rebate per ticket Child (age 5+) lift tickets: $12 rebate per ticket A rebate will not be provided for tubing tickets.

Below are the conditions that apply: - Rebates will only be provided for full day passes - Rebates will not be provided for family passes - Tickets must be purchased on or after 12 February 2021 - Members must claim their rebate within 10 days of the date they redeemed their ticket. Rebates cannot be redeemed on or before the date you have booked to ski - Please bring a printed receipt. Digital receipts will not be accepted - DND ID must be presented in order to obtain a rebate - Rebates will not be provided after Thursday, 25 March 2021. Exceptions will not be made, regardless of the ski hill closing date - Only active Defence Team Members and their dependants (as listed on the member’s MPRR) are eligible for lift ticket rebate. This includes serving military members (including foreign fighters), DND employees, Defence Construction Canada, Defence Research and Development Canada employees, MFRCS employees, and CFMWS staff - Rebates cannot be obtained for visits organized by local schools or groups Photo from skikinosooridge Instagram Page For more information, members can email Jennifer Get out and get some fresh air at Kinosoo Ridge Snow Resort. The PSP Community Recreation Bain at Bain.Jennifer@cfmws.com. department is happy to offer rebates for full day passes to Defence Team members!

See kia.ca for more

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Tuesday, February 23, 2021

4 WING COMMAND TEAM MESSAGE Colonel Dave Moar, 4 Wing Commander and Chief Warrant Officer Lee Darling, 4 Wing Chief Warrant Officer

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ello members and families of 4 Wing, We seem to be escaping the deep freeze of early February and finally enjoying some better temperatures. I know that the skiers and other outdoor sports fans will be happy for the change. To everyone that works outdoors at 4 Wing, those who have maintained our no-fail operations during the last weeks of -35C, thank you for getting us through some challenging weather! Our NORAD and training missions have been as busy as ever, and it’s only because of those of you that maintain and support operations that we’re able to keep the Fighter Force operating successfully.

This time of year is normally hard for military families in Cold Lake. Besides the weather, we are starting to face the stress of posting season and home sales, and there is never enough information available when we need to make plans and decisions. This year, we also have the uncertainty and restrictions caused by the ever-changing COVID-19 situation. Two weeks ago, Wing Chief Warrant Officer Darling and I hosted a town hall on the 4 Wing Cold Lake Information Facebook group with the aim of starting to increase the amount of direct communications our members receive from Wing Headquarters. For the next few months, we intend to hold a town hall on a monthly basis to pass on new information and give you a chance to ask us questions.

After 11 months of dealing with the pandemic it’s obvious that everyone has COVID fatigue – I know I

Centennial Building(#67), PO Box 6190 Stn Forces, Cold Lake, AB T9M 2C5 Phone: (780) 594-5206 Email: manager@couriernews.ca THE COURIER STAFF

do. Throughout Canada, in the military and civilian populations, there has been a significant increase in mental health issues during the last year. Cold Lake is experiencing the same concerning trend and although I am glad that an increased number of our members are reaching out to get support, it highlights that the more serious impact of COVID-19 at 4 Wing is to our mental health and emotional well-being. The Wing Chief and I are fully aware that whether it is a travel prohibition, gym closure, or similar restriction, each limitation that I place on the Wing also has a negative impact. That said, we make our decisions deliberatively and collaboratively while balancing the health of our members, the mission, and the threat of COVID-19. I anticipate that in the coming weeks, we will be able to further open the province to non-essential travel and expand the services and programs provided by Col J.J. Parr Sports Centre and MFRCS. I’m hoping that these changes, in addition to the improving weather in March, should be a welcome improvement for our fatigued members and their families.

The cold weather and pandemic hasn’t slowed down the number of exciting improvement initiatives here at 4 Wing. As one of our top priorities, the Wing Chief and I are currently working to improve inclusivity and respect in the workplace at CFB Cold Lake. 4 Wing members have done outstanding work with a number of groups and programs including the Cold Lake Pride Network, the Positive Space program, the

Defence Women’s Advisory Organization, and the Defence Aboriginal Advisory Group. We will continue to leverage and rely on these existing programs while creating Wing-wide educational opportunities to guide improvements to our workplace culture. In operations, the preparation for the new Fighter Squadron Facility progresses and we will soon see the demolition of 6 Hangar. To me, this marks the beginning of at least a decade of major transformation that 4 Wing will experience as we transition to Canada’s next fighter.

For CF-18 operations, we’re currently focussed on improving the availability of parts and support equipment while transitioning more of our experienced technicians to the front line. These improvements will enable an increase in available aircraft and the generation of more flying training hours. There are certainly a lot of exciting things happening at 4 Wing right now!

I hope everyone remains healthy, vigilant, and optimistic as we complete a difficult year and look forward to a much better 12 months.

Like Canadians throughout the country, here at 4 Wing we take time throughout the month of February to honour the contributions, resiliency, and determination of Black Men and Women throughout history. This year’s 2021 theme The Future is Now emphasizes the importance of celebrating and acknowledging the work of the current generation. Our team here at 4 Wing is stronger when we have diversity among our members.

International Women's Day

MANAGER/ADMIN/SALES Janae Wandler - manager@couriernews.ca REPORTER Joy Smith - editor@couriernews.ca PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Alina Mallais - production@couriernews.ca

EDITORIAL ADVISOR 4 WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS Capt Rachel Brosseau

DEADLINE Wednesday at 1500 hrs for the following Tuesday

The Courier is published weekly with the permission of the 4 Wing Cold Lake Wing Commander Col Moar.

The opinions expressed are those of the contributor and do not reflect those of the Editor, Canadian Armed Forces, or DND. The Editor reserves the right to reject, edit, or condense any editorial or advertising material.

Publié hebdomadairement avec la permission du Commandant de l’escadre, le col Moar. Les opinions personnelles exprimées dans ce journal sont celles des collaborateurs et ne représentent pas les opinions de la rédaction, des Forces armées canadiennes ou du Ministrère de la Défense nationale. La rédaction se réserve le droit de refuser, d’éditer ou de condenser tout article et matériel de réclame soumis.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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Health Promotion’s Feature Friday initiative

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The 4 Wing Health Promotion Department is excited to announce the latest Feature Friday member: Maj John Sullivan, a Logistics Officer (Air) who has been in Cold Lake since 2014. To maintain good health, Maj Sullivan works out daily. Check out their Instagram @4winghealthpromotion. If you want to be part of the Feature Friday Series, send an email to 4WGHealthPromotion@forces. gc.ca. The Feature Friday Series showcases health conscious 4 Wing members as a way to showcase role modeling of healthy behaviours and to encourage others.

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Photo of the Week From Your 4 Wing Imagery Team

Pet of the Week at the Lakeland Humane Society

Cpl Justin Roy, 4 Wing Imaging

Pilots, Captain (Capt) Shawn Rudston-Brown (left) and Capt. Rob Campbell from 417 Combat Support Squadron walk away from a Royal Canadian Air Force CH-146 Griffon after landing on the tarmac outside of Hangar 6, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, on February 18, 2021.

ACTIVITIES AT A GLANCE

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Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Ministers of National Defence and Veterans Affairs mark progress on transition initiative related to Strong, Secure, Engaged Quick Facts FEBRUARY 17, 2021 – OTTAWA – NATIONAL DEFENCE / CANADIAN ARMED FORCES

“Serving in the military is more than a job, it is a way of life. It involves sacrifice by our amazing Canadian Armed Forces members and their families who, together, dedicate themselves to service to our nation.

They have served their country with pride and they deserve to be supported during their journey to a post service life.”

Today, Transition Centre Petawawa begins the trial of an initiative to assist members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and their families with transition to civilian life following service to Canada. The initiative was developed at Canadian Forces Base Borden, and is now being expanded to other locations.

This new approach to transition is focused on the individual member and their family. Transition advisors work with members to assess their needs and help them build personalized plans along multiple domains of well-being: sense of purpose, health, finances, social integration, housing arrangements, and life skills/preparedness. It is a deliberate process that guides members and their families through the often challenging transition to a fundamentally different way of life.

This marks progress of initiative 27 of Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged regarding the establishment of a transition capability.

The Department of National Defence There is still work to be done in order and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to have the new approach accessible in are making other significant strides all Transition Centres across Canada, toward a seamless transition experience, but we are making great progress. thanks to new and improved tools such While the initial focus has been on the as the Military to Civilian Transition Regular Force transition needs, we are portal on Canada.ca, the transition happy to report that efforts related assessment tool in My VAC account, to Reserve Force transition are under the Alignment of Treatment Benefits development and will be included in the program, and the improvement of expansion to the other 30 Transition medical record information sharing Centres across the country. We wish to between Departments during transition. thank the great teams in the CAF and In effect, we have closed the seam on VAC who have come together to advance our mandates, to the betterment of with purpose on this important transitioning members. initiative.

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence

The Knowledge of Good and Evil

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ver try to explain deep thoughts to a 4 year old? I was tasked to teach my pre-school daughter about the Bible so, as a good seminary student would, I started reading to her from Genesis chapter 1. But Genesis 1 is followed

by Genesis 2, and I realized I’m going to have to explain why God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and Evil (which is quite a mouthful, so let’s call it the TotKoGaE… for short-ish).

Why would God not want his children to know the difference between good and evil? Isn’t the point of religion to tell you how to be good and not be evil? Why would God, of all beings, not want His followers to know that? Some argue that it was a test, and that if Adam and Eve had passed the test, then God would have let them have the TotKoGaEberry later on. But I have a different theory.

The reality is that Adam and Eve did know good and evil already. They knew God, and walked in the garden with Him in perfect harmony.

They knew good, because good is to walk with the good God, and they knew evil was to turn away from Him. There are two clues that confirm this.

• Development of the transition capability started in February 2018 and a trial was launched at Canadian Forces Base Borden in February 2019. This capability realizes aspects of Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, and the mandate letters of the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Veterans Affairs as they work collaboratively to ensure a seamless military to civilian transition.

• The new Transition Centre model includes all the key service providers in one location in order to provide a personalized, professional, and standardized transition for CAF members and their families. These service providers include: o CAF Transition Advisors; o CAF Transition Administration Specialists; o Veteran Service Team Managers; o Veteran Service Agents; o Family Transition Advisors; o Family Liaison Officers; and o Service Coordinators for ill and injured members, working closely with Canadian Forces Health Services Nurse Case Managers, CAF Vocational Rehabilitation Program Counsellors, VAC Case Managers, and other partner agencies.

• Other key advancements by the CAF and VAC in support of initiative 27 of Canada’s Defence Policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged include: o The Canada.ca Military to Civilian Transition portal, where members can get access to key support documents and resources. As a next step, the CAF and VAC are working together to bring about the creation of a Virtual Transition Centre, which will offer members who are not able to physically access a Transition Centre (because they are deployed or ill and injured) the same access to high quality, personalized, and professional transition supports. o Improved Information Sharing: The CAF and VAC have been working on giving VAC medical adjudicators direct access to the Canadian Forces Health Information System (CFHIS), to aid in processing Veteran disability claims. Despite a COVID-19 induced delay, a pilot project is underway to deliver this capability. o Closing the Seam – Alignment of Treatment Benefits program: The Benefit Review Committee was created to align CAF and VAC benefits. o The public release of a Seamless Transition Roadmap on the VAC and CAF websites to highlight actions taken to improve the transition experience. o Pilot serials of a modernized transition training program for CAF members and their families, leveraging the Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) at Base Borden and Garrison Petawawa, in early 2021.

Padre Andrew Whitman

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

The first is how Satan tempts them: if you eat the TotKoGaEberry, “you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” The second is that the goal of faith is to “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

See, the problem was not actually knowing good and evil; the problem was deciding for ourselves what is good and evil, instead of following the good God. I don’t think I need to tell you that the problems in the world are caused by conflicting view of what is right and good in a situation. It is the cause of wars, marital disputes and 4 year old spats. “That toy is mine and my right to play with.”

“But I had it first, you weren’t playing with it, it’s my right!” By eating the TotKoGaEberry, Adam and Eve lost the mind of God the Creator – hence the true knowledge of good – but we can get that mind and knowledge back by putting on ‘the new self’, putting on “Christ”, the perfect human who actually restored the harmonious relationship with God that was lost in the garden that day.

The other thing that I notice from this story is that consent is the Devil’s weapon of choice. He did not force her to eat the TotKoGaEberry, nor did Eve force Adam – they ate it of their own free

will. It strikes me that no one can ever force you to do anything. If I put a gun to your head and give you the choice, “kill this person, or I will kill you,” you can always choose not to kill. I did not force you to do it, I only made the right choice less desirable as an option. That is what the Devil did to Eve: he made the wrong choice more desirable to her, so that she chose by her own free will to eat the forbidden fruit, and so she deserved the consequences.

Consent and lack thereof is a terribly inadequate measure of good and evil. If it were, the Devil may be judged as good since he was able to get Eve’s willing and enthusiastic consent. But that is not what happens. Because God loves His children, he forgave Eve and Adam, and, I believe, ultimately restored to them that new self that was lost by their actions. He un-does the consequences for those who believe. And yet the Devil, for his part in it, will be thrown into the lake of fire. It cannot be good to trick someone to consent to evil for your sake; good must be to desire their good for their own sake… for God’s sake. andrew.whitman@forces.gc.ca

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2021

THE FUTURE IS NOW Celebrating Influential Black Canadians

The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada from 2005 to 2010 Michaëlle Jean was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in 1957. She was educated at home because her parents, Roger and Luce, did not want her to attend school, where she would have to swear allegiance to dictator François “Papa Doc” Duvalier. In 1968, she immigrated to Canada with her parents, fleeing the dictatorial regime of François Duvalier.

Jean studied comparative literature at the Université de Montréal, and became fluent in five languages (French, Haitian Creole, English, Italian, and Spanish). She was equally active on the issue of domestic violence, and worked with shelters for battered women and coordinated a government-funded study on spousal abuse during her time in university. She also taught Italian in the Université’s Department of Literature and Modern Languages.

In 1988, Jean began her career as a reporter, filmmaker, and broadcaster with Radio-Canada. It was there that she became the first person of Caribbean descent to be seen on French television news in Canada, hosting news and affairs programs such as Actuel, Montréal ce soir, Virages, and Le Point.

By 1995, she moved to Réseau de l’information (RDI), where she anchored programs such as, Le Monde ce soir, l’Édition québécoise, Horizons francophones, Les Grands reportages, Le Journal RDI, and RDI à l’écoute. Four years later, she joined CBC Newsworld, to host The Passionate Eye and Rough Cuts. By 2004, Jean was hosting her own show, Michaëlle, while anchoring RDI’s Grands reportages, and occasionally Le Téléjournal. Over this period, Jean also made several films with her husband, including the award winning Haïti dans tous nos rêves (“Haiti in All Our Dreams”).

On September 27, 2005, Michaëlle Jean become the 27th Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada. As Governor General she encouraged field initiatives from civil society, stimulating constructive synergies, advocating for the disadvantaged, paying special attention to youth. As Commanderin-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, she maintained a strong presence among them, including traveling to Afghanistan to salute their valour, and attend to the families of those killed in action, and the wounded. Over the five years of her mandate, she led some forty missions and State visits to Afghanistan, China, ten African countries, nine countries of the Americas, and over ten European countries.

Wikipedia

Former Governor General of Canada, Michaëlle Jean On January 12, 2010, a terrible earthquake devastated Haiti and in October 2010, with her mandate as Governor General coming to an end, Michaëlle Jean agreed to serve as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Special Envoy for Haiti. For four years, she devoted her energy and powers of persuasion to support the postearthquake reconstruction efforts. In 2010, following her term as Governor General, she cofounded with her husband the Michaëlle Jean Foundation. This independent non-profit organization serve to inspire and empower at-risk youth in Canada through the arts and culture. From 2012 to 2015, Michaëlle Jean served as Chancellor of the University of Ottawa, the largest bilingual French and English campus in the world.

In April 2011, Michaëlle Jean was appointed as the Grand Témoin de la Francophonie at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and was elected Secretary General of La Francophonie on November 30, 2014, at the 15th Summit of La Francophonie.

Richard Pierpoint Richard Pierpoint was a the proposal and ordered the lad of 16 in Senegal, Africa formation of what was known when he was seized and sold as the “Coloured Corps,” a into slavery in 1760. He was small company of about 40 purchased by an English officer men from the Niagara and named Pierpoint who had York districts mustered under settled in New York’s Hudson white officers. The 68 year-old Valley. Richard became this Richard Pierpoint served as a officer’s servant and adopted private in the corps and served his surname. The officer and on active duty throughout the Richard were mustered during conflict, including the Battle of the 1763 Aboriginal uprising Queenston Heights on October in British North America, but 13, 1812 when the corps was likely saw no action. mentioned in dispatches as After the outbreak of the having played a key role in that American Revolution, Richard British victory. was given his freedom and The Coloured Corps eventually became a soldier, fought at the Battle of Fort joining John Butler’s corps George in May 1813, and of Rangers operating out of were active in the Niagara Fort Niagara. When the war campaign of 1813. In 1814 of the revolution ended in they worked on construction of 1783, Butler’s Rangers were fortifications, many of the men disbanded and the men were of the company having skills in provided with land grants carpentry and masonry. in what would become the When the war ended, the Niagara region of Ontario. British offered land grants to Richard received 200 acres the veterans of the Coloured of land in present-day St. Corps, establishing settlements Catharines and became in Oro and Garafraxa somewhat of a community Townships. He petitioned leader among Niagara’s Black the government to provide population. passage for him back to When the War of 1812 Senegal in Africa but this was broke out Richard Pierpoint never granted. He was given petitioned Major-General another land grant of 100 Sir Isaac Brock, proposing acres in Garafraxa in 1822 and the formation of an all-Black was able to build a house and company of militia to fight clear a few acres there but he alongside the British during was too old to farm it properly. the war. Brock agreed with Pierpoint died there in 1838.

Craig Gibson, First Black commanding officer in the RCMP Craig Gibson grew up in a small community in Nova Scotia. He joined the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in 1980, and has spent more than 30 years working across the country in five different provinces, performing all kinds of

policing and leadership duties.

Recognised for excellence and a commitment to helping small communities, Gibson officially assumed command of the RCMP in Prince Edward Island in July 2012, becoming the first Black commanding officer in the RCMP.

ENTERTAINMENT

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Tuesday, February 23, 2021

HOROSCOPES

Crossword ACROSS 1. Ancient Persian city 5. Spindles 11. Stake 12. Retrain 16. Close by 17. Commercial 18. One who publicly announces 19. American ballplayer 24. Junior’s father 25. Go up or climb 26. Concern 27. When you hope to get there 28. Iacocca and Oswald are two 29. Plant of the lily family 30. Male college organization 31. National capital 33. Raccoonlike animal 34. Symbols of fertility 38. Astronomy unit 39. Series of ridges in anatomy 40. Hebrew leader 43. A portent of good or evil 44. Supreme goddess 45. Gelatinous substance 49. Engage in a contest 50. Famed ballplayer Ruth 51. Pledge 53. -__, denotes past 54. Revival

56. Spanish surname 58. Gold 59. Elsa’s sister 60. Workplace 63. Large quantity of something 64. Engraved 65. Discount DOWN 1. Shoe 2. Disquiet 3. Posture 4. Large nests 5. Soviet ‘Second Symphony’ composer 6. Joins two pipes of different diameter 7. Exist 8. Overdose 9. Pleat of fabric 10. Predict the future 13. Burgeoning technology 14. Having made a valid will 15. Having no fixed course 20. __ route 21. Lethal dose 22. Indian musical pattern of notes 23. Athlete 27. Geological times 29. Atomic #21 30. In support of 31. Brew 32. Certificate of insurance

33. Taxi 34. Type of saying 35. For cigars 36. Phil __, former CIA 37. Local area network 38. Gym class 40. Philippine Island 41. Not great or bad 42. Eastern part of NY state 44. Gov’t lawyers 45. Constructions 46. Former British gold coin

47. Unkeyed 48. Rechristen 50. Threaten persistently 51. Southeast 52. Cools your home 54. Removes the leaves 55. Regretted 57. Thus 61. Relief organization (abbr.)

62. Exclamation of surprise

CAPRICORN - December 22 - January 19 Boredom isn’t a bad thing when you desire a respite, Capricorn. While others may be looking for ways to chase away cabin fever, you may be perfectly content snuggling in.

AQUARIUS - January 20 - February 18 Unexpected partnerships can yield some amazing results, Aquarius. This may be the opportunity you are looking for at this juncture in your life. Push ahead for the time being.

PISCES - February 19 - March 20 Pisces, momentum swings in your favor and you can sail through all of your tasks and goals in record time. Enjoy the ride.

ARIES - March 21 - April 19 Aries, you may be falling behind on keeping resolutions, but that is alright. It’s easy to get back on track once you set your mind to it. Ask a friend to keep you accountable.

TAURUS - April 20 - May 20 Taurus, right now your mind is focused on ‘the more the merrier’ but you have to find ways to safely connect with others. Keep everyone’s health in mind.

GEMINI - May 21 - June 21 It may have seemed like the last few months of 2020 flew by, Gemini. A new year provides a chance to restart, slow down and smell the proverbial roses.

CANCER - June 22 - July 22 This week can prove to be epic if you just go with the flow a little bit, Cancer. Let others take the lead and simply follow along. You never know where things will lead.

LEO - July 23 - August 22 Leo, figure out how to align your priorities with what you do for a living. It could mean changing careers. Even though it may seem risky right now, start exploring the waters.

VIRGO - August 23 - September 22 Virgo, some down time and R & R can do a body good. Ask your partner to cover for you and then reciprocate so you can both unplug and refresh.

LIBRA - September 23 - October 22 Libra, a midweek business proposition or a real estate endeavor may present itself. This could lead to some exciting changes for your family.

SCORPIO - October 23 - November 21 You don’t mind defending your opinions or your ideals, Scorpio. In fact, you are highly skilled at constructive conversation. Your negotiation tactics may be put to the test.

SAGITTARIUS - November 22 - December 21 The early part of the week may be pretty uneventful, but things heat up as the week progresses, Sagittarius. You may not have time to do everything you desire.

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Tuesday, February 23, 2021

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Artist Spotlight Featuring Art from Military and First Responders MCpl Aydyn Neifer PETER MALLETT, LOOKOUT WRITER Sketchbook, pencils, eraser, even chalk and pens are some of the first things Master Corporal Aydyn Neifer packs when deployed - even before his camera equipment.

The Canadian Armed Forces Imagery Technician has embraced many art forms in his 43 years, from graphic design to photography, to drawing and painting.

“I can’t imagine not painting,” he says. “It’s a way to express myself even if no one ever sees them. Most of my works are just about painting for the sake of painting and trying to turn abstract concepts into visual art. I can’t imagine not being able to do that.”

Much of his work is inspired by his military service that started in 2007 as a member of Third Battalion, Cerebral Shackles Royal Canadian Regiment in Petawawa, ON. After three years as an Infantryman, he re-mustered to This is a digital piece that is actually a Image Tech, a trade that satisfies his itch to create. modernized revisit of a pen and ink drawing What he likes about the military is it can take him I completed in 2013. The concept is to visually out of his comfort zone. portray how, in essence, we are all addicted “The military constantly challenges you to and enslaved by our technology. How social complete difficult tasks and learn new things,” he media, the news, advertising basically invades says. That constant evolving is duplicated in his art. our psyche and can potentially manipulate us. His craft tools are varied, from the usual acrylic We as humans quickly forget what enraged us paints, pencils, and inks, to ball point pens and yesterday, only to be enraged by something pastels. His subjects are equally assorted. “I am new today. It’s like a cerebral toffee pull for really not sure what my style of art or genre is called, both our attention and our sanity. but I try to take a concept from a photo or series of photos and then visualize it in my creations,” he explains.

His vision starts with an image, usually a photo. In his self-portrait Counter Attack Watch, it was a fellow soldier who snapped the photo while they were on a training exercise in Meaford, Ont. It’s a pen and ink side view of a younger Pte Neifer peering intensely down the barrel of his machine gun set against a stark white background. His torso fades into geometric squares. The empty background brings a feeling of bleakness and isolation, something he felt at the time as he battled exhaustion while maintaining a vigilant watch.

In contrast, Cerebral Shackles is a full colour piece of a young person clutching her cellphone, half open eyes on the screen. Swirling around her, soft images of people, things, and words. The creation, he says, is a deliberate attempt to show the ill-effects that social media addiction and the scourge of fake news has had on so many people.

“The concept is to visually portray how, in essence, we are all addicted and enslaved by our technology,” says MCpl Neifer. “It’s like a cerebral toffee pull for both our attention and our sanity.”

He’s created many pieces over the years from a small studio he made in the basement of his home, which he shares with his wife and three children. A few of his ink drawings and acrylic works are on the walls upstairs, but most have been completed and tucked into boxes.

“I have a stack of practice pieces, and over the years have accumulated many finished works that were completed in different types of media, from oils, to charcoal, to pastel, to acrylics, to graphite, and watercolour, as well as digital. As well, I have a stack of sketchbooks that I have filled up over the years.”

But his prized piece resides on a high school wall, a mural he painted as a student.

“I won a design contest to paint a mural at my high school, Fellowes, in which I helped to paint my design alongside a professional mural painter. The mural is still up in the school.”

He currently works as a photography instructor at Canadian Forces Training and Development Centre at CFB Borden. He is also part of The Steel Spirit, an art collective that showcases the unique artwork of military, police, firefighters, paramedics, hospital practitioners, and other first responders.

Never one to have an empty canvass, MCpl Neifer is working on an art piece for a friend to help bring awareness to brain injury victims. Art, he adds, brings him much-needed calm in an often intense job. “In my opinion art is truly a great form of self-expression and a vehicle to externalize injuries. My art is more preventative medicine.”

Counter Attack Watch

Post FIBUA Watch This piece I rendered in charcoal that is based on a photograph that I took in Fort Knox Kentucky. In this work, I am trying to portray a sense of calm, clarity and intimacy, all while this soldier fought very hard to take this position just a few minutes prior.

Despite the noise, chaos and fog of war, there are times when one can find moments of peace and tranquility.

Artwork submissions by Military & First Responder Services. The Steel Spirit is always looking for new and emerging artists with and without experience, from every background and every age.

For more information or if you would like to be involved, please visit: www. thesteelspirit.ca

A pen and ink selfportrait that is based on a photograph that was taken by my fire team partner while on a defensive exercise in Meaford Ontario. I drew this piece to try to portray a sense of mental exhaustion, and sleep deprivation while maintaining a vigilant watch.

This period of my career was the most difficult both mentally and physically.

It is also a personal reminder that when things in life seem to not be going well, or times are tough, I think back to this time and remind myself “Well, at least I’m not in Meaford.”