My NYC

Danielle and her husband Arturo have been walking my dogs for several years now....and it's no surprise, her business is booming in Brownstone Brooklyn. The couple and their helpers have established quite the reputation in Carroll Gardens and all of the dogs, including my dachshund noodles appear to be tail waggingly happy. Unlike some of those snooty Upper East side services, Four Paws Dog Walking refuses to take out more than four dogs at once and the crew does its best to match up the right mix of dogs for each walk. Ten big barks of joy.

Coffee on a Sunday morning on the Brooklyn Promenade. It's got Manhattans best skyline view, eventhough some asshole terrorists took out the twin towers.

Bloody Mary's are the best at the Brooklyn Inn (no sign) at the corner of Bergen and Hoyt in Brooklyn's Cobble Hill.

The Central Park Zoo for it's calming effect. It's also one of the cheapest bets in NYC.

Going to the beach at Coney Island with tapes of entire shows from the old music radio days of 77 WABC. Then go to the Old Tyme Tavern and check out the old black and white photos of the bygone days of Coney Island.

Buying art from street vendors in SOHO.

Walking into a Madison Avenue boutique with your spouse or girlfriend and announcing in a very loud voice, "look, honey , everything in here's so cheap."

Acting like a kid and climbing on top of one of the big lions at Manhattans Main Public Library on 5th Avenue.

A weekend at the Belmont Race Track and betting on the long shots, just to piss off your friend who think's he's a professional gambler.

Those really skinny string-beans that can only be found in some of the high end supermarkets in the city.

A day trip to City Island in the Bronx. It's like being in a Cape Cod town within the city and you'll find some great seafood restaurants and a few quirky nautical shops.

One of the wackiest musicial acts to play in New York city has got to be “Super Diamond”. It's a Neil Diamond tribute band---headlined by my friend, San Francisco native Randy Cordero. He's half Neil Diamond's age and doesn't look a damn thing like him---but close your eyes and you'd think it was the Real Neil. His act is a hoot --even for people who don't like Diamond and he often sells out his weekend shows at Irving Plaza. Most of the audience is under 35!

Two of my favorite non-profit organizations in New york have to be Curtis Sliwa's Guardian Angels, the street crime fighters and the North Shore Animal League, a no kill shelter that finds homes for some of the cutest and saddest looking pups.

If you're looking for a get away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan or you're just thinking of visiting New York, you've got to check out Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, where I live. Still very Italian, the neighborhood is sprouting dozens of new boutiques, restaurants and bars. It's actually happening a little too quickly, but one of my favorite new watering holes is Angry Wade's, an old fashioned ale house with a fireplace and lots of great brews.

Oh, and there's a superstar living in my very own neighborhood. Although she doesn't like surprise visits to her home, you can listen and buy the music of Carroll Gardens resident Carla Lother at her website. She's a terrific vocalist----and a sweetheart.