We'll refrain from commenting on how Rachael Ray's bra is totally showing in the NY Times photograph that accompanies her big Dining section feature, and we'll not take potshots at her because it's a little too easy (and there are people who do it better, anyway). But Gothamist would like to point out this part of the RR's history:

She had grown up around Lake George, but the cycle of small-town life and low-paying jobs was wearing thin. In 1995, Ms. Ray headed to New York City. She worked first at the Macy's Marketplace candy counter and moved up the ranks quickly, learning about everything from buying cheese to how to shop for Liza Minnelli's holiday food gifts. When Macy's tried to promote her to a buyer in accessories, she moved to Agata & Valentina, the specialty foods store. more ›

Lake George, the bucolic upstate New York vacation area just 3.5 hours from the city, was the scene of a sad accident yesterday: Senior citizens visiting from Michigan were on a glass-bottom boat cruise that capsized, drowning 21 people. Some suspect that a larger boat's wake caused the tour boat to flip over, and with all of the passengers life-preserver-less, and many relying on walkers, there was little time to react. The cause of death for the victims is a combination of drowning and hypothermia; the investigators are now trying to retrieve the boat, which is 70 feet below the lake's surface. The NY Times adds that only 11 people died during the terrible Staten Island Ferry crash in 2003. more ›

Gothamist finds tipping a very interesting issue. As New Yorkers, we're familiar with many people supporting their other careers by waiting tables, as well as immigrants who rely on tips to send money back to their families. We happen to tip closer to 20% when we can, but sometimes we admit to rounding down when the service is crummy. We'd like to know how much do you tip? Are you tipping off the pre-tax meal price? Do you skimp on tips when the service and food is really bad? And Ask Gothamist on tipping on food delivery. more ›