General Situation: A mid to upper level trough will influence pockets of showers and thunderstorms through the day.

Monday 27th – Variable Cloudiness with Scattered Showers and Thunderstorms Heavy at times today and tonight; Maximum Temperature 88°F; Minimum Temperature 78°F. Winds SE 10-15 knots; Seas 2-4 feet for all areas.

Tuesday 28th – Variable Cloudiness with pockets of Showers or isolated Thunderstorms during the late morning today; Maximum Temperature 90°F. Partly Cloudy and Warm tonight; Minimum Temperature 78°F. Winds SE 10-15 knots; Seas 2-4 feet in the Northwest and Central Bahamas and Winds SE 12-18 knots; Seas 3-6 feet in the Southeast Bahamas.

Wednesday 29th – Variable Cloudiness with brief light morning and early afternoon showers or Isolated Thunderstorms today; Maximum Temperature 90°F. Partly Cloudy tonight; Minimum Temperature 78°F. Winds SE 10-15 knots; Seas 2-4 feet in the Northwest and Central Bahamas and Winds SE 12-18 knots; Seas 3-6 feet in the Southeast Bahamas.

Thursday 30th – Variable Cloudiness and Hot with morning and afternoon Showers and Thunderstorms during the day; Maximum Temperature 90°F. Few Clouds Warm and Humid tonight; Minimum Temperature 80°F. Winds SE 10-15 knots; Seas 2-4 feet in the Northwest and Central Bahamas and Winds SE 12-18 knots; Seas 3-6 feet in the Southeast Bahamas.

Friday 1st – Partly Sunny and Hot with pockets of morning showers today; Maximum Temperature 90°F. Partly Cloudy and Warm tonight; Minimum Temperature 80°F. Winds SE 10-15 knots; Seas 2-4 feet over the Northwest Bahamas and Winds SE 12-18 knots; Seas 3-6 feet over the Central and Southeast Bahamas.

Saturday 2nd – Partly Sunny with some morning and afternoon Showers and Thunderstorms today; Maximum Temperature 90°F. Partly Cloudy with a few early night showers tonight; Minimum Temperature 81ºF. Winds SE 10-15 knots; Seas 2-4 feet in the Northwest Bahamas and Winds SE 12-18 knots; Seas 3-6 feet in the Central and Southeast Bahamas.

Sunday 3rd – Variable Cloudiness with few morning and afternoon Showers and Thunderstorms during the day; Maximum Temperature 90˚F. Partly Cloudy and Warm tonight; Minimum Temperature 80ºF. Winds SE 10-15 knots; Seas 2-4 feet in the Northwest Bahamas and Winds SE 12-18 knots; Seas 3-5 feet over the Central and Southeast Bahamas.

Castrol Quote of the Day: June 28, 2016

"Get the maximum protection you can from a single quart of motor oil with 'Castrol Edge'... specifically engineered for heat, load and speed."

Brought to you by Bay Street Garage. Visit our listing page on BahamasLocal.com.

As we enjoy the long hot summer, we think only of long strolls on the beach and the feel of sand through our toes. We never think of the dangers that might be lurking outside with all that sun, sand and sea. From playing sports on the beach and swimming, to walking in sandals or open-toed shoes, many summer activities put people at risk for foot injuries and infections. These can be even more serious for people with diabetes. The following are simple tips on protecting your feet and preventing injuries, so you can stay on the beach and safely enjoy your summer outdoors.
o Do not walk barefoot: Walking barefoot puts your feet at risk for many injuries and infections including punctures, sunburn, as well as microorganisms that cause plantar warts, athlete's foot, ringworm, and other infections.

Something as minor as stubbing a toe on a coffee table or bumping a soccer ball at the park can lead to a serious foot ulcer. While at the beach, seashells, sharp stones, glass or other debris from the ocean can puncture the skin and cause serious infections that can be made worse by diabetes. Walking barefoot on the hot pavement is especially dangerous and can lead to severe burns. To prevent injuries and protect your feet, always wear closed toe beach shoes or sandals everywhere -- around the pool, to the beach, in the locker room and even on the carpeting or in the bathroom of your hotel room. Some activities or sports at the beach may require different types of footwear to be worn. Always wear the shoes designed for each activity. To be safe, pack an extra pair of sneakers or protective water shoes. If your shoes get wet, they should be dried out completely before you wear them again to prevent bacterial or fungal infections.
o Use sunscreen on your feet: Spending long hours in the sun can expose your feet to harmful rays that increase your risk of sunburns and skin cancer. Your feet are just as much at risk for skin cancer as the rest of your body. However, according to the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, persons often do not apply sunscreen to their feet when they apply sunscreen to the rest of their body. Many don't realize skin cancer can occur on the feet from unprotected sun exposure, and not applying sunscreen to the area. Skin cancer on the foot, including squamous or basal cell carcinoma and melanoma often go unnoticed because people don't check their feet as diligently as they check other body parts. To lessen your risk for sunburns and skin cancer, remember to apply sunscreen all over your feet, especially on the top and front of ankles, and even the toes. Don't forget to reapply after you've been in the pool or sea.
o Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day while you are in the sun or on the beach. This will not only help with overall health, but will also minimize any foot swelling caused by the heat.
o Exercise your feet: Even though you may be on vacation or enjoying the summer, continue your exercise routine or at least get some activity. While sitting you can keep the blood flowing in your feet with periodic ankle flexes, toe wiggles, and calf stretches.
o Inspect your feet daily: Inspect your feet every day before putting on your shoes and after taking them off. If you are not flexible enough to see underneath your feet, using a mirror can be helpful. Check the sides of your feet, between the toes and at the heel. Diabetics should always inspect the inside of the shoe before putting them on for debris that may rub and injure their feet. Even a small pebble or sand can create a sore that may not cause pain, but can lead to more serious ulcer or infection if not treated promptly.
o In case of minor foot complaints, be prepared with a handy on-the-go foot firs aid kit with simple supplies to care for your foot. These may include sandals to wear by the pool, in the spa, hotel room, or even airport security check points; sterile bandages for covering minor cuts and scrapes; antibiotic cream to treat any skin injury; moisturizing cream or lotion to hydrate feet; blister pads or moleskin to protect against blisters; anti-inflammatories to ease tired, painful and swollen feet; toenail clippers to keep toenails trimmed; emery board to file rough edges or broken nails; pumice stone to soften hard calloused skin; sunscreen to protect against the scorching sun and aloe vera or silvadene cream to relieve sunburns.
Following these simple tips can help protect your feet from the heat and prevent injury to them, allowing you to have an enjoyable and uneventful time at the beach. If you injure your foot or ankle while on vacation or at the beach, seek professional medical attention from a podiatrist right away. The earlier injuries are treated the faster they tend to heal and prevent more serious complications.

o For more information email foothealth242@gmail.com or visit www.apma.org. To see a podiatrist visit Bahamas Foot Centre on Rosetta Street, telephone 325-2996 or Bahamas Surgical Associates Centre, Albury Lane, telephone 394-5820, or Lucayan Medical Centre on East Sunrise Highway, Freeport Grand Bahama, telephone 373-7400.

Longstanding client Val Miller celebrates with Maya Nottage, Marketing Manager, CIBC FirstCaribbean.

Extra enthusiastic welcomes and warm smiles greeted arrivals throughout the day while customers enjoyed refreshments and special prize opportunities at CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank. Branches throughout the Bahamas joined with parent company CIBC and other branches across the region in celebrating Client Appreciation Day on Friday June 17th.

Tables with a variety of sandwich platters, coffee, assorted cakes and sweets were laid out for clients. Many branches gave away phone cards, goodie-bags of surprise gifts, branded mugs and other CIBC FirstCaribbean “swag” and the coveted CIBC FirstCaribbean “Fast Pass” which allows customers to advance to the head of the line when in a hurry.

Many longstanding retail and corporate banking customers were honoured with personalised gift boxes complete with their initials engraved, as a thank you for their loyalty to the bank.

“I want to thank the CIBC FirstCaribbean Corporate Banking Team for bringing me my personalised “gift box”. It is most appreciated,” said long term corporate client, Robert d’Albenas of the d’Albenas Agency. “The affiliation between The d’Albenas Agency and CIBC FirstCaribbean dates back many, many years and is one we value. We look forward to continuing our excellent business relationship throughout the years to come.”

A customer wins a prize after answering CIBC FirstCaribbean trivia correctly at the Marathon Branch

Rowena Jones, President of Sandyport Beaches Resort, the boutique hotel in Sandyport Marina Village, echoed Mr. d’Albenas sentiments. “The gift really does feel special with my initials on the box. We truly appreciate the thoughtful gift and everything that the bank has done for us.”

CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Managing Director Marie Rodland-Allen said that while the festivities were a hit with their customers, the day was about re-iterating the bank’s emphasis on customer service every day.

“We like to think that every day is a customer appreciation day; ultimately it is our service that sets us apart,” explained Mrs. Rodland-Allen. “Our staff works to build long term relationships over the years with CIBC FirstCaribbean clients. But once a year we aim to go above and beyond to remind customers that they are our number one priority. We are very happy about the positive feedback we have received throughout customer appreciation day and would like to once again extend our thanks to all of our clients - You are the reason we do what we do.”

The customer celebration event was part of a region-wide initiative recognizing customer loyalty at all branches in the 16 other Caribbean countries where CIBC FirstCaribbean operates, making it one of the largest joint customer appreciation efforts in the region.

Delkisa Wood, Branch Ambassador, CIBC FirstCaribbean Sandyport Branch offers her thanks to client, Lynn Lowe.

About CIBC FirstCaribbean
CIBC FirstCaribbean is the largest, regionally-listed bank in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean serving over 400 000 customers in 17 markets, through approximately 2,700 staff, across 100 branches and offices. The bank, which has almost 250 years of combined experience in the region, offers a full range of market-leading financial services in: Corporate and Investment Banking, Treasury Sales and Trading, Retail Banking, Wealth Management, Small Business and Credit Cards.

CIBC FirstCaribbean is a member of the CIBC Group. CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with nearly 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units – Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Wholesale Banking – CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world.

For more information about CIBC FirstCaribbean, visit www.cibcfcib.com.

By Debra King

Source: Serena Williams Media & Public Relations