class MenuHelper extends Helper {
	var $helpers = array('Html');
 
/**
 * Highlight a menu option based on path
 *
 * A menu path gets passed and it compares to requestd path and sets the call to be highlighted.
 * Use regular ereg expressions in the pattern matching.
 *
 * @param path for wich the nav item should be highlighted
 * @param optional normal class to be returned, default navLink
 * @param optional highlight class to be returnd, default navLinkSelected
 * @return returns the proper class based on the url
 */
	function highlight($path, $normal = 'navLink', $selected = 'navLinkSelected') {
		$class = $normal;
		$currentPath = substr($this->Html->here, strlen($this->Html->base));
		// if there is a star in the path we need to do different checking
		$regs = array();
		if (ereg($path,$currentPath,$regs)){
			$class .= " ".$selected;
		}
		return $class;
    }
}

<?php echo link('Home','/', array('title' => 'Home', 'class' => $menu->highlight("/$"))) ?>
<?php echo link('My Account','/users', array('title' => 'My Account', 'class' => $menu->highlight('/users*'))) ?>

#navMenu {
	width:750px;
	margin:0px auto;
	height:35px;
}
 
#navMenu a.navLink {
	height:13px;
	font:normal 12px Helvetica;
	color:#FFF;
	float:left;
	padding:11px 12px;
	margin:0px;
}
 
#navMenu a.navLink:hover {
	background:#3F3F3F;
	color:#FFF;
	text-decoration: none;
}
 
#navMenu a.navLinkSelected {
	background: #B61D1D;
}
 
#navMenu a.navLinkSelected:hover {
	background: #B61D1D;
}