There is no question that he looked MLB ready. Of course, the Braves do not have to rush his development. If they have other candidates who can hold down the No. 5 rotation spot, then they can afford to proceed with patience. Ritchie will be among the first pitchers they consider promoting if a rotation spot opens up, however. 

Chef Craig Richards says Beethoven’s “Für Elise” was one of the first pieces of music he learned on the piano as a kid. Now at the helm of Elise, a seafood-focused fine-dining restaurant in Atlanta’s Woodruff Arts Center, Richards says the restaurant’s name is a nod to that piece of music and the neighboring Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. His light approach to food reflects the airy minimalism of the space’s architecture and that of the surrounding campus (which also includes the High Museum of Art), and the snapper and tuna tartare appetizer is an artful example. The fresh fish sourced from Gulf waters is the focus, Richards says. Combined with a bit of olive oil, salt, and lemon juice, the mixture is topped with pickled field peas for crunch and a bit of acidity, and dressed with saffron aioli, microgreens, and a dusting of sumac. True to his training in Italy, Richards says the appetizer really sings when paired with a glass of the Picariello falanghina (an ancient white grape) from Campania: “It’s got a floral note that works with the sumac.” A music lover, he confesses that when he’s not cooking for arts patrons, he enjoys a night at the symphony, “listening to performances by people at the top of their craft.”

This article appears in the Winter 2026 issue of Southbound.

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Metro Atlanta’s mounted police units are hitting the trails and the pavement, logs and sirens included, as they prepare for a massive influx of international soccer fans this summer.

Hoofing it to the World Cup

What they’re saying:

With the FIFA World Cup just months away, the Atlanta Police Department and the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office have launched joint training sessions to ensure their four-legged officers are ready for the global stage.

The units will be a constant fixture during the tournament, patrolling Mercedes-Benz Stadium, various fan events, and team practice facilities throughout the region.

“We train our horses with the Atlanta horses so they’re all comfortable together as they patrol the different events in the city of Atlanta for the FIFA games,” said Cobb County Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Tim Brown.

A primary goal of the training is desensitization. To prevent horses from spooking in high-energy environments, officers expose them to a variety of intense stimuli they might encounter during matches.

“Whether it be loud noises, marching bands, fireworks, etc.,” said Atlanta Police Lt. Greg Lyon. “So, if you think about a World Cup and passionate fans that will come to the city, we want the horses to be sensitized to those type of stimuli.”

Getting on a high horse

Dig deeper:

Beyond managing the energy of the crowds, the mounted units provide a strategic advantage for law enforcement. The height of the horses allows officers to monitor areas that would be invisible from the ground.

“You’re 10 to 12 feet off the ground, and you can see what others on the ground cannot,” Lyon said.

While the horses are a critical tool for crowd control, officials emphasized that they also serve as approachable ambassadors for the city. Officers say the animals can help bridge the gap between police and visitors, providing a friendlier face for those seeking assistance.

“Let the fans enjoy the horses, maybe we can offer them directions, guide them as they’re trying to navigate traffic,” Lyon said.

Unbridled enthusiasm 

What’s next:

The collaboration between the two agencies aims to create a seamless security presence as the eyes of the sporting world turn toward Georgia.

“The horses make a good impact and a good showing for us and the city of Atlanta,” Brown said.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host a total of eight matches, including five group-stage games, a Round of 32 match, a Round of 16 match, and one of the high-stakes semifinals. The first match begins June 15.