Q&A on the News

By Lori Johnston

For the AJC

Q: A lot has written about the possible 4 a.m. closing time for Atlanta bars. At what time are they allowed to open? Do they have to stay closed for any length of time?

—Dennis Goss, Newnan

A: Bars may open at 6 a.m., according to city ordinances. The establishments must close for business at the time set for alcohol sales to end, and they must be cleared of customers 30 minutes after that time. The Atlanta City Council can and has extended hours in which an establishment can pour alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, said Dexter M. Chambers, spokesman for the Atlanta City Council. He said it is done for special events and holidays such as New Year’s, the Atlanta Pride Festival, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day and St. Patrick’s Day, when those holidays fall on a Sunday or Monday or when the festival is on a weekend.

Q: How many first ladies went to college?

—Shirley Zieve, Sandy Springs

A: Bios of the first ladies provided by The White House at www.whitehouse.gov show that 18 attended college. First Lady Michelle Obama earned her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and graduated from Harvard Law School. Other recent first ladies who attended and graduated from college include Sen. Hillary Clinton (Wellesley College, Yale Law School) and Laura Bush (Southern Methodist University for her bachelor's degree, University of Texas for her master's degree).

Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).