Girl Scouts Gear Up for Cookie Sales

Today's a big day for Georgia's Girl Scouts, with the international organization honored by Gov. Nathan Deal and the General Assembly as it kicks off the countdown to its 100th anniversary in 2012.

For more than 41,000 girls in 34 greater Atlanta counties, however, the day holds another special significance: It's time to get ready for the annual tradition of cookie booth sales at hundreds of locations, including shopping centers and offices.

While the "official" booth sales begin Friday, the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta will unveil a Cookie Coach today to spread the word about the sales. And, in this digital age, the Girl Scouts have created a site to let cookie buyers find the nearest booth: cookielocator.littlebrownie.com.

Cookie fans in Marietta can search for locations in ZIP codes 30008, 30060, 30064, 30061, 30063, 30069 and 30090 and find out days, hours and which troop is holding the sales.

Deal will honor the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta and Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia (Savannah) as part of a special day saluting the organization's history and role in "building young girls and women of courage, confidence and character."

The Girl Scouts were founded in Savannah in 1912. Activities at the Capitol include:

• Girl Scouts will meet with lobbyists and legislators and attend the Senate and House sessions to learn about the political process.

• State Rep. Elly Dobbs of the 53rd District, a hostess to the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, will read a resolution honoring Girl Scouts.

• Deal will honor the Girl Scouts in a special ceremony on the Capitol steps, and there will be a special reception with first lady Sandra Deal.