Some call Mike “Bones” Hartzell a drifter who doesn’t drift much — a fixture among the transients who have found a permanent home in St. Paul’s North End.

Bones, as he’s most often referred to along Rice Street, is such a recognizable face among the homeless that even bar owners refer to him with the same familiarity as an old uncle or family friend. His fondness for sweeping sidewalks, picking up litter and looking after stray animals has inspired his own Facebook fan page.

On Wednesday, his standing as a neighborhood fixture became official. State Sen. Foung Hawj, DFL-St. Paul, and state Rep. John Lesch, DFL-St. Paul, read a Senate resolution at Lonetti’s Lounge on Rice Street honoring Bones on the occasion of his 70th birthday.

The celebration included a nacho bar, cake and ice cream.

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Mural workshop, events at Victoria Theater Arts Center in St. Paul’s Frogtown this weekend and next The resolution recognizes “Bones as an upstanding citizen of St. Paul and icon on Rice Street.” It notes that Bones attended Washington High School and, after graduation, served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam (a period that Rice Street locals say he doesn’t tend to talk about).

It goes on to say:

“After discharge, Bones became highly independent, caring for the North End neighborhood to the best of his ability … He is a steward of the community, cleaning up streets and sidewalks along Rice Street and caring for the health of abandoned pets.”

“He believes the world without walls is his home and has worked hard to keep the community safe … Bones became an iconic figure on Rice Street, and all stores in the area welcome him with respect.”