Cityfile: New York's Most Notable and Influential

Hotel Manager's Career Turns to Ashes | A word of advice: If you happen to be a hotel manager and you notice an employee come to work with a bit of ash on his forehead, you may want to check a calendar before demanding that he "wipe that fucking shit off." It could be Ash Wednesday! Unfortunately, no one bothered to mention this to Niklaus Leuenberger, the (former) managing director of the Palace Hotel who was fired on Monday for doing just that. Of course, the rather unique location of the hotel probably didn't help Leuenberger's cause. Not only is the Palace conveniently located across the street from St. Patrick's, the church owns the property the hotel sits on, too. [NYDN]

Only God Will Save Us | How do you know the economy is really screwed? Hedge fund managers start going to church. [NYP]

Street Prayer | Yes, there really is a "prayer booth" on the corner of 59th Street and Second Avenue. Perfect timing, too! [Animal NY]

Last Friday we were told that alcohol sales have shot up on account of the Wall Street meltdown. Today another totally obvious angle to the financial crisis is explored, one that explains what the people who haven't been getting wasted have been doing with their free time: They're in church! Yes, brief interviews with a handful of local clergymen seems to suggest that New Yorkers are now turning to God for comfort and consolation. Reverend Mark Bozzuti-Jones of Trinity Church says he's seen a upturn in visitors over the past week and says the church is now putting together workshops and seminars with titles like "Coping with stress in an uncertain time" and "Navigating career transitions." More