I have an embarrassing confession: Although I spent most of my life in New York City, the last time I went back, I was totally overwhelmed. That's what happens when you spend nine years in Boston and more importantly, four years in the Colorado Rockies. I seem to have lost my big city street smarts.

Fortunately, we have people like New York City Examiner Gary Stern , who offers insider tips about navigation the Big Apple.

The article on Greenwich Village Coffee Houses is near and dear to my heart. When I was a kid, my brother took me to Greenwich Village to explore the "Beatnik Culture." It was the first time I had hot apple cider: At the Cafe Figaro, no less!