97-year-old ukulele player evicted from retirement home

ktvu.com ^ | July 18, 2014 | Rob Roth

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

97-year-old ukulele player evicted from retirement home

By Rob Roth KTVU.com NAPA, Calif. — Ninety-seven-year-old Jim Farrell likes to sing and play his ukulele. He says he's a veteran of three wars. But most recently he’s found himself homeless. He had been living independently at the Redwood Retirement Residence in Napa, until eleven days ago, when he was ordered to leave. He says he was told he wasn't keeping his room clean enough. So when the residence charged him a $1500 cleaning bill, Farrell says he couldn't afford the next month's rent. He had to go. "Absolutely devastating. Devastating. Horrible," said Farrell. KTVU received a statement from Holiday Retirement, the parent company of the retirement residence where Farrell was asked to leave.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

All he had to do was go down to the border and say his name was Juan Garcia

[massgopguy]

You can only take Tip Toe Through the Tulips for so long.

[Liberty Valance]

While my guitar gently weeps - Jake Shimabukuro on Uke

[Resettozero]

It’s apparent to me that a bunch of retirees got together and said either that ukulele goes or we go!

[Right Brother]

I read the article. I’m still trying to figure out the relevance of the ukulele.

[rktman]

I wasn’t aware that ukes could be turned up to 11.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

The statement says the facility notified Farrell in February that his apartment was posing a health hazard, adding that Farrell's behavior had become aggressive.

There are always two sides to these stories. I can easily imagine that he let his room fall to health-hazard conditions, and that that the retirement home told him repeatedly to clean it up, and he reacted with hostility. If that happened, its sad but he should be forced to pay the cleaning bill and/or kicked out.

But these retirement homes can be rigid and overcharge for things too, so I also can imagine that perhaps he isn't physically or mentally able to clean and they sent an over-priced service in to do it and then kicked him out when he couldn't pay the bill.

All I do know is that this story is only presenting one side.

[tflabo]

Maybe, just maybe a 97 year old could use a little help in cleaning up. So much for ‘assisted living’....

[knarf]

doesn't matter ... at 98, you tend to think of life a little differently and cleaning your room is not a top priority.

1500 bucks sounds a bit much ... I think it probably was the uke.

[cripplecreek]

John Belushi still lives!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqpNQ9AJYgU

[knarf]

I was going to go there after I posted my above.

How difficult is it to pick up and wash 6 pieces of clothing and wash a dozen dishes ?

[Liberty Valance]

George Formby plays "Our Sgt. Major" on his uke-banjo

[Toespi]

I am betting the same thing. I hope this won’t be offensive to anyone but this is a true story and just happened to my neighbors dad who is 96. He lives in a nursing home and lost both arms to the shoulder in an industrial accident years ago. So last week this armless man was found in bed with a woman resident, in her late 70’s, on top of him, performing OS. Her family was furious, suggesting their mother was raped and was going to sue the nursing home unless the man was evicted from the home. They are now looking for a new facility.

[GladesGuru]

May Granny cut those intrusive prudes out of her will. If Granny was willingly engaged in oral sex, that should be sufficient reason to take both of them to dinner.

[MrB]

And claim to be an “unaccompanied child”.

[Responsibility2nd]

Ever since his family got Jim that ukulele and that big bass amp for Christmas...

 

... he's been a real PIA.

[Resettozero]

I wasn’t aware that ukes could be turned up to 11.

A uke without any amplication, played long enough, whether well or poorly, accompanied by a 97-year-old's singing, can seem like an 11 when you're trying to get some peace and quiet!

[Responsibility2nd]

Reports that Tiny Tim died were false. He went underground and assumed a new identity and of late was living in Napa, California.

[Resettozero]

So last week this armless man was found in bed with a woman resident, in her late 70’s, on top of him...

When I was in my later teens, it was those college girls and recent grads that got me in the most trouble. Now, they're in their 70's.

[ErnBatavia]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I