Jaime Richards.

​For this week's cover story, "Money can buy you love, if you have a contract with this Harvard MBA," I spent roughly a month working with local matchmaker Jamie Richards. We've already covered her tips on finding a matchmaker, taking a profile picture and creating an online dating profile. But now we're getting to the results -- the first date.

And for that we'd like to know: Where is your favorite spot for a first date in Denver?

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Mark Barker.

​Despite the obligatory squawks from lawmakers about the need for transparency in government, few of their actions are quite as transparent as their efforts to shield internal bureaucratic processes from outside scrutiny. For a demonstration of this principle in action, look no further than two bills currently creeping through the state legislature that would close investigative records previously accessible to the lowly public -- including records dealing with police misconduct and the disciplinary process.

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​Is Marcos Martinez, principal at the Ricardo Flores Magon Academy and the subject of our recent feature "A Hard Line," on his way out as head of the Westminster charter school?

Westword just received word that Martinez, chess instructor Dominic Martinez and director of curriculum and instruction Gabriela Guzman are currently on leave.

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Big photos below.

​Durango High student Sydney Spies's protest over her yearbook's rejection of two sexy photos landed her on the Today show. Afterward, Miki Spies, her mom, told us Sydney had submitted a third photo, but that, too, has been nixed in favor of the shot from her school ID card.

As a result, Miki and family plan to file a complaint over the entire matter.

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Newt Gingrich.

​When last we spoke with Colorado Republican Party head Ryan Call about the February 7 Colorado caucuses, he noted that Newt Gingrich had not scheduled any state events. But that's changed. At this hour, Gingrich is scheduled at a west-side rally, with another assembly juxtaposing him and Rick Santorum. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney has two Colorado stops slated for today on opposite sides of the state. Call gives us the details.

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Laura Kriho.

​On Friday, the Secretary of State's Office noted that the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act had fallen 2,409 signatures shy of ballot approval. Given the resources available to the Regulate folks, whose measure will be known as Initiative 30 if the shortfall can be cured in the next week plus, this turn suggests big challenges for the grassroots Legalize 2012 effort to win approval for a marijuana re-legalization proposal. What's proponent Laura Kriho's take?

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​If you've ever driven beside a sloppy driver and blamed it on his California plates, you might be from Denver. The same thing is true if you can correctly pronounce "Chipotle," only drink craft beer or have been in any of the situations we've captured in the following video. After trolling the Internet for its stereotype of our fair city, we came back empty-handed (other than Shit Tim Tebow Does and Doesn't Say). So we made our own.

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Before I began working with Jaime Richards, one of the matchmakers in this week's cover story, I had to dig deep. Really deep. It's common practice for date coaches and matchmakers to ask their clients for letters of recommendation, but they're not the kind you're thinking of. In preparation for our first meeting, I was tasked with asking a minimum of six friends and family members to write Richards letters explaining why they think I'm single.

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Mason Tvert.

​Earlier this week, Brian Vicente, one of the primary proponents of the Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Act, told us that news about whether the measure qualified for the November ballot could come as early as Friday. This prediction proved accurate, but the word isn't one Vicente and fellow backer Mason Tvert wanted to hear. The Act is 2,409 signatures shy of winning approval from the Secretary of State's Office.

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Denver Diner.

​Last month, Denver's Civil Service Commission reinstated officers Ricky Nixon and Kevin Devine, who'd been fired for their actions in an alleged brutality incident at the Denver Diner in 2009.

A lawsuit over the matter is still alive, but the victims' attorney is angry about the latest development: The city, which had promised to appeal the cops' reinstatement, has reportedly missed a deadline to do so.

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