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December 2024/January 2025 Advisor
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TINY BUT MIGHTY THE BEST GIFT I EVER RECEIVED
Behind our home where I grew up, there were acres of abandoned farmland and a powerful creek with miles of walking paths along the edge of the creek. At the age of 12 years, it was the ultimate playground for my friends who drove mini-bikes. Mini-bikes were handmade mini motorcycles that were powered by lawnmower engines. Unfortunately, my mini-bike had an underpowered engine and had a difficult time keeping up with my friends’ mini-bikes. It was an enormous amount of fun, but those rides were always limited by one key factor: speed .
mayhem of paper and ecstatic children reveling in uncovering what Santa had brought them that year.
Reasonably, because of our large family, our parents did not often splurge on Christmas gifts. Even though I had asked for a new motor, I had little hope that my wish would be fulfilled. When I finally clambered over my siblings, all of them busy with their prizes, to grab my suspiciously heavy gift, I still was not sure I would be getting what I asked for. I tore through the paper excitedly, and inside that box was a pearl white Briggs & Stratton 3 HP mini-bike motor. I was shocked . This was a $100 gift at the time, which I would be too embarrassed to convert into today’s money as it would give away my age and depress us all by demonstrating the rapid pace of inflation.
While my mini-bike was my most prized possession, it was far from a name-brand vehicle like a Honda or Yamaha. It was a makeshift contraption that my dad must have purchased from a junkyard. It needed a serious engine upgrade, and I knew just the part I needed. I asked Santa (through his personal representatives, my parents) for a new motor that would leave my friends in the dust. What resulted was the best, most memorable Christmas gift I have ever received.
GEARHEAD IN THE MAKING I made just about every alteration I could to make my mini-bike faster. Most of those changes probably had no effect, but I could feel the difference when I installed the new motor. It was a heck of a lot faster, and my speed-demon mini-bike became the envy of my friends. I never graduated to owning a motorcycle, even though secretly I would love to buy a
A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER Growing up, I was one of nine children — I was squeezed near the middle, with three older siblings and five younger — which meant that our house was loud and chaotic, especially during the holidays. On Christmas
morning, our family Christmas tree became a gathering point, around which the nine of us would tear the gift wrap off our presents and scatter them around like wild hyenas going in on a kill. It became a merry
Harley. After seeing all of the injuries that can occur riding a motorcycle, my wife and adult children would give me no shortage of grief if I got back into the days long gone. These days, my six children and 11 grandchildren come over for Christmas, and the piles of gift wrap scattered around our living room floor bring me back to my childhood.
-Ross Cellino 888-888-8888 1
$2 Billion
Cellino and the lawyers who have worked for him have recovered over $2 billion in settlements for their clients.
CellinoLaw.com
Law and Language The Journey of a Latin Major-Turned-Trial Attorney
For the estimated 1 in 3 Americans who struggle with insomnia, avoiding sleepless nights is a top priority. Most people know to ease into relaxing activities and avoid blue light from digital devices for at least an hour before bedtime. However, avoiding certain foods that can keep you awake is just as important. Here are four of the worst culprits. RHYTHM WRECKERS Cheese lovers, beware! Tyramine, an amino acid found in fermented and aged foods, including cheese, tends to trigger the release of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter that can raise blood pressure. Alcohol also is believed to interfere with circadian rhythms by disrupting the body’s sensitivity to natural sleep cues, such as waning light in the evening. ACID IGNITERS For the estimated 1 in 5 Americans who suffer from acid reflux, the food and drink consumed before bedtime are pivotal to sleep quality. Foods that trigger this gastrointestinal disorder include spicy items and high-fat dairy products like ice cream. Sadly, popular party fare, which includes cheese, tomato sauce, alcohol, and carbonated drinks, also can trigger heartburn. TUMMY TROUBLEMAKERS As enjoyable as carbonated beverages may be, they can cause gas, bloating, and general stomach discomfort, preventing you from settling into sleep. Other potential triggers of stomach problems include citrus fruits, which have a high acid content that can fuel stomach acid. Citrus also acts as a natural diuretic, prompting you to awaken in need of a bathroom at night. HIDDEN CAFFEINE Avoiding the caffeine in coffee, energy drinks, and soft drinks is a no- brainer, but certain teas can disrupt sleep, too. While even the highest- caffeine teas, including yerba mate and black tea, have less than half as much caffeine as a standard cup of coffee, all true teas — so defined because they are made from the Camellia sinensis plant — still have enough caffeine to disturb sleep. Only herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, and hibiscus brews are caffeine-free. And chamomile, in particular, contains the added benefit of a plant-based compound called apigenin, which calms the brain. Sleep Stealers AVOID THESE FOODS FOR BETTER SLEEP
At Cellino Law, we are always searching for exciting talent to join our firm; after all, only by bringing on the best can we provide the best service possible for our clients. While we did not have to search too far for Senior Trial Attorney Jeanna M. Cellino — daughter of Ross Cellino — her journey from
undergrad to practicing lawyer saw her take on many responsibilities across various industries. Her collective experience and tested expertise make her a valuable addition to our firm. LEARNING THE LINGO Jeanna graduated magna cum laude from Boston University School of Management, earning her Bachelor of Science in business administration with a minor in French. At the outset, she was enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences as a Latin major but was quickly drawn to the business school, which was full of international students. Jeanna studied abroad in Paris the summer of her junior year and fell in love with the country. Before pursuing her law degree, Jeanna seriously considered — and still considers — pursuing a master’s in French. LEAVING FOR LAW SCHOOL After graduating from college, Jeanna worked as a sales coordinator at a fashion company in New York City. While this experience was outside the field of law, it helped her hone her people skills and learn the art of persuasion. She went on to work as a law clerk at different legal firms, where she would discover both her passion for law and the career she wanted to pursue. She earned her law degree from the University at Buffalo Law School, where she graduated cum laude and even spent a semester at the University of Florence, Italy Law School’s Comparative Law Program. “I wanted to become perfectly fluent in French and even dreamed of practicing international law in French and English,” Jeanna told us. However, after graduating from law school and gaining experience working at various law firms, she decided to follow in her father’s footsteps and pursue a career as a personal injury attorney. Jeanna joined our firm in 2020 and loves seeing and working with her father daily, which has been a dream of hers since she was a child. When she is not working hard on behalf of our clients, Jeanna enjoys traveling and being a dedicated sports mom to her three beautiful boys, Vincent, Dominic, and Ross.
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Failure to comply can result in fines, but the potential for injuries and legal consequences is even more significant. If someone is injured on a property that wasn’t properly maintained, the property owner could be held liable for damages, especially if it can be shown that they were negligent in their duty to keep walkways safe. Shoveling regularly during a snowstorm, not just afterward, can play a major role in preventing slips and falls on your property. Removing fresh snow before it compacts and freezes is much easier than chipping away at ice later. Applying de-icing products, like rock salt or magnesium chloride, can also make a significant difference, as these substances lower the freezing point of water, helping to prevent ice formation. Hiring a reputable snow removal service is a smart investment for property owners who may be away or unable to clear snow themselves. Many companies offer seasonal packages and will visit properties after each snowfall to ensure compliance with local regulations. For elderly or disabled residents, many communities have volunteer programs or resources to help with snow removal, reducing their risk of slips and falls. Being proactive about snow and ice removal is an effective way to ensure the community can enjoy a safer winter season. However, if you find yourself injured due to icy or snow-covered sidewalks, we’re here to help. Call Cellino Law at 888-888-8888 .
SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL PREVENTS SERIOUS INJURY As winter sets in, folks living in the Northeast know too well the hazards of snow and ice accumulation. For property owners, staying proactive with snow and ice removal isn’t just about maintaining curb appeal — it’s a vital safety measure that can prevent serious injuries. Slip-and-fall accidents on icy or snowy surfaces are common during winter and often result in serious injuries like fractures, sprains, and TBIs. Property owners can protect visitors and reduce the risk of costly liability claims by keeping sidewalks, driveways, and entryways clear. Generally, the law places specific obligations on property owners regarding snow and ice removal. In many municipalities, there are requirements to clear sidewalks within a certain timeframe following a snowfall — typically within four hours during daylight or before 11 a.m. the next day if snow fell overnight.
Brain Break
CARDINAL COCOA FROSTY GARLAND GENEROSITY MENORAH MITTENS PEPPERMINT PINECONES SNUGGLE UNITY YULE
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1 The Best Christmas Gift Ever 2 Foods to Avoid for a Good Night’s Sleep Meet Linguist and Lawyer Jeanna 3 Think Safety When Shoveling Snow Brain Break 4 Italy’s Most Photogenic Seaside Destination
Walk the Italian Riviera’s ‘Pathway of Love’ DISCOVER CINQUE TERRE
Imagine a cluster of ancient seaside villages along the Italian Riviera so picturesque that it inspired a Disney film.
stacked houses down the ravines, and cultivated olives and wines so superb that kings favored them during the Renaissance.
Cinque Terre, or “five lands,” encompasses five breathtakingly photogenic fishing villages along the northwest coast of Italy. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage area, this national park offers all the attractions visitors love about Italy, from extraordinary food and wine to exciting seaside views. Childhood memories of Cinque Terre inspired Disney director Enrico Casarosa to re-create the setting for his Oscar-nominated coming-of-age film “Luca.” Cinque Terre’s narrow streets are often filled with day-trippers during the summer, nearly overwhelming the area’s 4,000 residents. The flood of tourists eases in the winter, however, making this the best season to savor Cinque Terre’s beauty and culture. While farmers developed the area in the 11th century, Cinque Terre was inaccessible by road until the 1960s. One has to admire the ingenuity of residents who carved terraces into the steep cliffs,
Hiking is a favorite pastime here, and visitors this winter are in luck. One of the most beautiful walkways in the world, the half-mile Via dell’Amore (or Pathway of Love), reopened in August 2024 after repairs following a 2012 rockfall. Reservations are required, and visitors are only allowed to walk one way on the path from the village of Riomaggiore to Manarola. Unlike the steep, rugged hiking paths elsewhere in Cinque Terre, however, part of the Via dell’Amore is wheelchair accessible, and the breathtaking views are worth the effort. Planning to drive in and around Cinque Terre isn’t wise. The clifftop roads are narrow and frightening, even for seasoned drivers, and nonresidents aren’t allowed to park in the villages. A better strategy is to take the train from the Genoa or Pisa airports (about 1–2 hours). Check the national park website at Parconazionale5terre.it before you arrive to learn about any winter storm closures and trail conditions.
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