The Many Variations of the Spanish Language

 

Serving as a partner and business consultant at Florida-based firm MCG, Max Crumit received his business training from the University of Chicago's Executive Business Institute. When not working, Max Crumit enjoys learning the Spanish language.

Behind Mandarin, Spanish is the second most popular language. It is estimated that there are around 400 million Spanish speakers in the world. In the United States alone, there are already 30 to 40 million Spanish speakers, thus explaining its mainstream presence across American media, particularly on television.

Despite the language's popularity, it is important to note that there are many differences in the way Spanish is spoken in various parts of the world. The most notable difference is the accent, which can vary greatly, depending on the geographical location. Arguably the most distinctive among the regional accents is the Argentinian. For example, the standard pronunciation of llamo,” is "yahmo.” Argentinians pronounce it "shahmo,” while “caballo” can sound like “ca-badge-o,” showing the native treatment of the double “L.” There are also minor grammar and vocabulary disparities hat highlight the difference between Spanish in Spain and in Latin America.

The Delights of Floridian Cuisine

Having recently joined betonwerk US as CEO of the company’s North America operations, Max Crumit has over three decades of experience in the areas of civil engineering and transportation. Outside of his work, Max Crumit loves to cook and recently enrolled in a culinary school in his home in Florida.

Floridian cuisine, from the north to the south and the Keys, is influenced by a number of different cultures, including the American South, Cuba, Latin America, and the Bahamas. There is also a distinct influence from the Asian immigrants who arrived in large numbers after the end of slavery, when they were hired for cheap labor. Florida’s culinary influences are vast, and southern Floridian cuisine is sometimes called Floribbean to recognize the local and Caribbean influences on the food.

Florida boasts a tropical climate, so fruit--especially citrus--is a key aspect of the area’s cuisine. Fish and seafood are also key elements for an area surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic. A common food in the Florida Keys is conch, a mollusk that is often made into fritters by chopping and frying them into balls or into a ceviche by marinating the conch meat in lemon juice.

Florida is also known for its key lime pie. Key limes are small yellow fruits native to the Florida Keys, and the traditional recipe is an unbaked pie that thickens simply through the reaction between lime juice, condensed milk, and egg yolks. Key lime pie is often thought of as a baked pie with a green tinge, but the classical local version should turn out yellow.

Three Florida Gators Under Consideration for Bednarik Award

Newly appointed as the CEO of betonwerk US, Max Crumit is responsible for the company’s line of water removal pipes and drainage systems. In his free time, Max Crumit follows NCAA football, and in particular, the Florida Gators.

The 2016 Gators have three players on the watch list for the Chris Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player by its sponsors, the Maxwell Football Club. The players are:

Senior linebacker Jarrad Davis - Playing in 14 games in 2015 and starting in 12, Davis made 98 tackles, the second highest number for the team. Of those tackles, 11 were for a loss and ranked him third for the Gators. Davis was chosen for the Gridiron Now all-SEC second team.

Redshirted defensive back Marcus Maye - The senior received first-team All-America designations from Pro Football Focus and USA Today and an honorable mention from Sports Illustrated. His 82 tackles are the highlight of his statistics and are fourth best for the team. Starting in 12 of 13 games, Maye caused five fumbles, coming in second nationally.

Junior Jalen Tabor - Responsible for two interceptions that resulted in touchdowns, Tabor earned all-SEC honors from conference coaches and five media organizations. His four total interceptions tied him for second in the conference. He played in 13 games in 2015, winning a starting spot in nine.

Looming Funding Shortfall for America’s Aging Infrastructure

With three decades of leadership experience in Florida engineering and transportation planning, Max Crumit serves as CEO of runoff collection technologies company Betonwerk US. Max Crumit also consults with a diversity of transportation companies throughout the southeastern United States and stays current on trends in his industry.

A recently released report by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) warns that the country’s economic future is threatened by major infrastructure spending shortfalls. Over the next nine years, the country must invest approximately $1.4 trillion, about double the amount projections forecast, into shoring up a rapidly aging transportation system.

One major implication of waiting to undertake needed repairs and rebuilding projects until the situation deteriorates is that shipping costs and traffic congestion will rise precipitously. This in turn will impact productivity and economic growth potential.

Unfortunately, the ASCE report notes that the bipartisan five-year highway bill passed in 2015 does not include major spending increases in critical areas, which also include sewers, electricity, and ports. It remains to be seen whether the US government will address these deficiencies before they reach a critical point.

Improve Your Bunker Shot with These Three Tips

Business consultant Max Crumit is a principal with MCG in Winter Park, Florida. Outside of his professional activities, Max Crumit enjoys playing golf in his free time.

Although no one likes spending time in the bunker while out on the course, a well-rounded golfer must be able to get out of sandy situations. Here are three tips to help you improve your sand game.

-Maintain a forward stance: Unlike shots from the fairway, sand shots require you to position the ball just forward of the center of your stance. You should also put slightly more weight on your forward foot, enabling you to drive the ball upward out of the bunker.

-Aim for the sand: Instead of trying to hit the ball, you should attempt to strike the sand just behind the ball. This approach will help you not only to reduce spin on the ball but also to decrease your risk of topping the ball straight into the side of the bunker.

-Keep an open clubface: As you strike the sand with your club, be sure to keep an open clubface to maximize the loft of your shot. An open clubface can mean the difference between escaping the bunker and falling right back in.