Girl Scout cookies on sale Friday

The annual Girl Scout cookie sale begins Friday and will continue through Jan. 29, with cookies delivered March 5 to 18.

Cookies this year include Thin Mints, Shortbread, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Peanut Butter Patties, Reduced-Fat Cartwheels, Thanks-a-Lots and the newest variety, Lemonades, all of which are listed as trans-fat free. Trans fats are known to raise low-density lipoprotein levels, also known as bad cholesterol.

About two-thirds of the price of a box of cookies goes directly to Girl Scouts, and all proceeds support the local council. While volunteers serving on the council's board of directors decide exactly how cookie funds are allocated, a portion of the money raised is distributed directly to the troop level, where girls decide how the money is spent.

For more information about Girl Scout cookies, call the local Girl Scouts of Otahki Council at 334-7741.