🌱 Food Pantries Low On Food + Southwest Social + Dark-Sky Plan For CO

Welcome back, Lakewood! I'm here in your inbox today to get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town. Today you'll learn about these stories and more:

• Southwest Airlines is getting a black eye on social media as flight cancellations continue to frustrate the airline's customers.
• Darker skies could bring more tourism money to cities across the state.
• Area food pantries are basically having to ration food as demand continues to increase.

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Friday's weather: Clouds and sunshine. High: 40 Low: 28.

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Business owners and marketers in Lakewood: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

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Here are the top stories in Lakewood today:

1. Southwest continues to cut flights and social media posts against the explode. The meltdown of Southwest Airlines this week has become a public relations disaster, and given the beleaguered airline a black eye on social media. All the top social media sites have have been full of images and videos of holiday passenger travails. (NPR)
2. Colorado encouraging cities to create darker skies to improve stargazing. The International Dark-Sky Association has partnered with the state's Tourism Office to develop a program that will help municipalities become become certified as dark-sky places. (Summit Daily)
3. Colorado food pantries will limit visits in order to maintain resources. Demand for food from food pantries, like Lakewood's Action Center, has gotten so bad that they are having to limit the number of visits by those in need. (9News)
4. Boulder Sheriff says investigation into Marshall Fire to show multiple ignition points. Boulder Sheriff Pelle announced that his investigation into what caused last year's destructive wildfire is almost complete, and could be released within the next few weeks. (9News)

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From our sponsor:

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Today in Lakewood:

• Baby Time: Belmar Library. (10:15 a.m.)
• Friday Open Studio: At Lakewood Arts. (Noon to 3 p.m.)
• Winter Art Market: At xx NEXT Gallery. (6- 10 p.m.)
• Pirate 42nd Anniversary: Members artist reception. (6-10 p.m.)

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Special notice:

Patch has partnered with T-Mobile for two new series: Local Heroes and Star Student Athletes. The goal is to highlight heroes and star athletes in Lakewood!

• If you want to nominate a local hero, click here
• If you want to nominate a local athlete, click here.

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More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Lakewood Fitness and Massage — (Visit website)
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Events:

• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Fresh Perks Every Week (Jan. 3)
• Breast Ultrasound Screening Coming Direct to You! (Jan. 3)
• Add your event

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll see you first thing on Saturday morning with a brand new edition of the Lakewood Daily. — Brad K. Evans

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Lakewood Daily? Contact me at lakewoodpatch@gmail.com