READING: Dave Eggers has delivered two (out of three) great novels, and tonight he reads from last one (which is just out on paperback), What is the What. He'll be at the Strand discussing the book and he'll also give a slideshow presentation from a recent trip he took to Sudan. More info here. Friday // 7pm // Strand Bookstore [828 Broadway] // Free EVENT: We love a good pillow fight, and tonight there's a......

Valentine's is for lovers, so thinks the city, which is handing out free NYC Condoms today at 10AM. We're not sure if the weather has changed the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's plans, but Health Commissioner Thomas Friedan, as well as Kenneth Cole (designer and chair of amFar) and Dr. Marjorie Hill of the Gay Men's Health Crisis are supposed to be unveil the condom packaged with subway iconography at the Kenneth Cole Store......

-- Kenneth Cole deserves an honorable mention in our Most Inappropriate 9/11 Competition: "...It's not only important what you wear, but it's also important to be aware." -- David Berkowitz is back, but this time, he's taking instructions from Jesus, instead of a dog possessed by the devil. Phew. -- 3-bedroom apartment in Madonna's old building in the East Village: $568. -- "An MIT-educated former investment banker who fell into a spiral of mental......

- Nicholas Minucci was found guilty of a hate crime assault - A federal court of appeals says the city can't enforce the law that prevents 18-21 year olds from buying spray paint and markers, but the city will appeal again - An anatomically correct Statue of David in Little Italy freaks out some mothers - A suspect has been ID'd in the Sunset Park beauty salon rape - MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow was......

- Bizarre Kenneth Cole ads get the work over from Animal magazine - Howard Stern says he's staying on satellite radio which means his Sirius contract must be really ironclad - The Village Voice on the Worldwide Marijuana March: "We're here, we're high, get used to it!" the stoners shouted at baffled shoppers. "What do we want? Pot! When do we want it? Now!" - A new tape of the White Castle cop beating......

There are some great benefits happening around town tonight, we suggest you hit one, or both, up if you have the time. Billabong & Boarding for Breast Cancer celebrate See Me Speak Art Collaborative tonight at Melody Weir Gallery. As part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 50% of all art sales will benefit Boarding for Breast Cancer Organization. Feature will be work from some of the country's finest emerging and established artists. Cocktail Reception,......

Gothamist loves a good story about the authorities stumbling onto drug money transfers, and this story even involves Kenneth Cole. But just Kenneth Cole shopping bags. The NY Times reports that some federal and city investigators were observing a street in the Bronx to track some drug money laundering. And while they didn't see the group they were targetting, they did see two other men taking out two shopping bags from a car, "straining" from......

To salute Fashion Week, the MTA is doing its bit with Fashion Underground: They have commissioned designers to create various accessories that are worth at least 500 subway rides, like the Lambertson Truex wallet with Metrocard holder and the Kenneth Cole boots with, yes, a "discreet" pocket for a Metrocard. Then there's Judith Ripka's Gotham Gold Necklace, which has a retail value of $9,700; the wonderful city rag pointed out the MTA's unfortunate-yet-funny pun that......

Josh Aiello, Author...

In their first annual "Design Issue" (celebrating "fresh life-affirming spirit" of approachable, warm design), Newsweek includes a "Design Quiz." Gothamist chortled through the ten questions; here are three: 1. The 1995 documentary "Unzipped" portrayed the life of what famous clothing designer? Ralph Lauren Giorgio Armani Isaac Mizrahi Calvin Klein 2. What is Razorfish? An architecture firm A Web-design company A clothing design company A company that designs high-tech products like computers and cell phones 6.......