Each Wednesday, L’Observateur will recognize individuals and businesses in the River Parishes who have gone “above and beyond” in their efforts to make this a better place to live, work, play and raise a family.

We believe that an integral part of a community’s wellbeing is an attitude and arena where people who do good things … who work to improve life for others … who try to make a difference … are recognized and saluted.

Because this is a salute to members of the community of the entire River Parishes, we solicit your recommendations for groups or individuals to be considered for inclusion.

This week we salute:

• STUDENTS IN THE VISUAL TALENTED ARTS PROGRAM AT EAST ST. JOHN HIGH SCHOOL, who recently created works of art to hang in the new St. John Animal shelter in LaPlace. The students toured the shelter facility and consulted with another Louisiana artist famous for his animal paintings, George Rodrigue, before tackling the project.

• LAPLACE BUSINESSMAN TODD TROSCLAIR, who recently became a majority owner of the New Orleans restaurant Galatoire’s. It is the first time in the restaurant’s 105-year history it has not been solely owned by the founding family. Trosclair also owns All Star Electric in LaPlace.

• THE ST. JOHN PARISH COUNCIL, which recently agreed to work with other government agencies to try and solve the parish’s drainage issues. Numerous areas in St. John Parish experienced significant flooding as a result of December’s record-setting rainfall.

• THE RIVERSIDE ACADEMY BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM, which followed up a strong showing at the St. Pius Invitational in Houston with a championship at the Country Day Classic in Metairie. In a one-week span, the Rebels beat three defending state champions.�