*****DEMO CUT — In production. Pre-release version. *****
It was discovered by the townspeople of Altadena, by chatting with construction workers, that TWO Walmart stores are being planned and constructed in their little unincorporated town. It was the first anyone had heard of it.
There were no hearings, regulation and permitting process, and no notification of the town of Altadena. All local businesses go through stringent and costly permitting processes and hearings with the county…but this has been waived for the international chain.
It has been learned that this stealth tactic on small towns is a new strategy by the global mega chain of circumventing being blocked by larger cities like Pasadena, who are aware of the problems that such a megastore brings to an area.
Altadena just may fight back…this video has been created to both warn, and to inspire small town residents across America to assert their rights to protect their way of life. The Supreme court says that corporations are people, but Altadenans are people as well, and are petitioning as this film is made to ask that the law apply equally to all.
Visit: http://www.facebook.com/groups/savealtadena/
“WALTADENA” (Lyrics below)
Written and performed by Duane Thorin of Altadena (http://www.thorinmusic.com)
Recording Engineer/Producer:
Bo Astrup, of Altadena
Director/Producer:
Jules Dervaes
(http://www.homegrownproductions.org)
Camera, Editing, and Assistance:
Justin Dervaes, Anais Dervaes & Jordanne Dervaes
Thanks to:
Donna Barnes-Roberts
Steve and Jeanette Lamb
John at O Happy Day
Lori Webster
Bill and Deborah Burnette
Robin
Jacob at the Smoke Shop
The Urban Homestead (http://www.urbanhomestead.org – http://www.facebook.com/urbanhomestead)
Also, thanks for lunch, John!
Special thanks to all the townspeople attending town meetings and collecting petition names − as well as to all of our L.A. County neighbors who have been signing the petition to get us a fair hearing on this matter.
For more information, please visit these sites:
http://www.facebook.com/groups/savealtadena/ (SaveAltadena.com website to be launched soon!)
Petition sites listed here: http://www.homegrownproductions.org
We request that the County of Los Angeles apply the same hearing and use permit process, regulations and restrictions on mega chain stores that already apply most stringently for all of Altadena’s local businesses.
WE WANT OUR INPUT BEFORE OUR TOWN IS CHANGED FOREVER.
Music Copyright (c) 2012 Duane Thorin
Video Copyright (c) 2012 Homegrown Productions / Jules Dervaes
WALTADENA
Way up high upon the hillside
Up where the county pavement stops
Long ago they built a town there
Just below the mountaintops
And here we chose to build a future
A quiet place where we could stay
But if we stand by and say nothing
We’ll watch that future slip away
Ohhh La La ..La La La La La La.
Ohhh La La …La La La La La La
Here’s where us locals buy our sundries
Hardware, bicycles and more
Gifts and sandwiches and copies
Even a smoke and liquour store
But Happy Days will keep us healthy.
Seems John is feeding half the town.
And don’t you think it’d be a sad thing.
If all these businesses shut down.
And here we chose to build a future
A quiet place where we could stay
But if we stand by and say nothing
We’ll watch that future slip away
Ohhh La La ..La La La La La La.
Ohhh La La …La La La La La La
But they don’t hold a big procession
Nobody hangs his head and cries.
Cause there’s no place to take your sorrow.
When the heart of a little town dies.
When the heart of a little town dies
Ohhh La La La La La La
Ohhh La La La La La La La
And if we want to save a vision.
Then we who live here must demand.
The right to make our own decision.
About how we’ll be living in this land.
About how we’ll be living on this land.
Oh, about how we’ll be living on this land.
Thanks to all involved for this touching and beautiful video! Please share it far and wide and help us keep Walmart out of Altadena!
The Save Altadena website is undergoing some construction and will be back up in a couple of days. To be able to sign the petition, you must live in Los Angeles County. Thank you, everyone, for your efforts!
wonder who/why the one dislike? country-type music isn't my personal choice, but I like this piece because it is very well done and the message is IMPORTANT…
Haunting
Once the Waltadena beast rears it's ugly head, I'll be one of the first to join the protest, boycott, etc. Thx for the lovely song, it's strikes a cord. Count me in for the fight!
Great job, Duane. Made me so homesick.
Beautiful done, Duane ( and the rest of the production team!) This is so important. Very few people are aware of just how much damage Walmart has done on this planet. And it's getting closer and closer to home. It's a big fight you have on your hands, but a necessary one. I'll be there to help any way I can!
BOYCOTT WALMART!
SaveAltadena site isn't happening – link takes one to a vague place.
Cool song Duane – if you ever need a pedal steel player let me know. I'd do this gig for free.
I've been informed it's up now: Save Altadena dot Com
I've been informed it's up now: Save Altadena dot Com
lol i love atladena 🙂
i aprove of walmart in altadena,i live in pasadena they not gonna put it hear we way to fancy lol,but yalll dumb look at the big picture
you guuys are dumb walmart will generate millions of dollers for you city dummmy
I am a small business and know the struggle just because the city (Arcadia) is not interested in helping us. The bunch of beurocrats who's jobs are secure, so they are being a last stand of Government police to protect Gov. , not a citizens interests.. However more people would react on this movement if they will understand this 'math" of promised jobs versus lost existing jobs. I rely on people like me , my customers. I will be under water with them too. I need more info to act pro or against
Nicely done! Have never read about a Walmart that goes into any community and makes a long-term positive impact on the people living there. They do make small, philanthropic gestures, but none that outweigh how they damage a community's existing businesses. They are non union, and employees have long talked about how they are horrible to work for–from wages to hours.
This is why poets lead revolutions. I believe this is the most important song of 2012.
Thank you, Very Nice Video! I love Oh Happy Days! John is feeding half the town alright!, Out of his own Pocket, come on People ..John is a very generous person. Please dont take advantage of him, pay your TABS! He would never say it.. BUT I WILL!
I am sorry, but Altadena is not some small town. It's a few miles from Los Angeles and this song claims that Ralphs will be shut down? Ralphs is another large corp store too.. Give consumers a choice, Walmart has that choice. I have to drive all over LA sometimes because stores are out of stock of things I need. I welcome a Walmart if it will carry the things I need.
Imagine it wasn't 2 walmart stores, but a huge industrial field of solar panels. That's what is happening on farmland near Kingston Canada and the Ontario government has given Samsung billions of $ to make it happen with no recourse from people who will have to live next to these fields, which also threaten water safety, a marshland, house values, and the health of the people who will leave feet away from this disaster. It is really sick how these things happen. Good luck in your fight!
In America, who ever has the biggest gang and the most money has the most rights. Our government has enslaved us and wishes to control every aspect of our lives. Our government is evil and this evil must be exposed to the world.
There are 5 Walmarts in my city. Hamilton Ontario Canada. It's has definately impacted our local economy. Many small "Mom and Pop" shops have closed their doors for good.
you can't even write properly dude.
>>>I welcome a Walmart if it will carry the things I need.
Millions of others agree. This is the reason Wal-Mart is successful, while smaller, less efficient, less convenient, less well stocked, and more expensive Mom & Pop stores are disappearing. Observe: the poor and the struggling welcome the cheaper Wal-Mart; it's generally the middle-class, upper-middle-class, and wealthy who oppose it. THIS is a real instance of "class warfare," not the puerile, self-congratulatory "Occupy" movement.
Looks like unfortunately the Walmart again, won in Altadena….but don't give up the fight. The meek shall inherit the earth one day!
Lol, you alarmists are hilarious. Walmart came and nothing changed.
I love Altadena!
When all the Websters shut down that's when the oh s*** moment will happen.
Duane, this is really wonderful. Music, lyrics, production values, all first rate. And it is sooooooo important. You do in a song what so many feel but don't know how to express…… thank you!
Emotional to see both Jules' and Duane's names in the credits. R.I.P. Both men were larger than life. Thanks for everything.
Duane…Thank you for sharing this beautiful video! I grew up at 4293 Canyon Crest Road, in Altadena, during the 60-70's My grandfather lived just a few blocks away from where you were at during the conclusion of your song. Just around that corner, to the left, was Loma Alta Elementary School…unsure if it is still there?? I used to play Little League Baseball at Loma Alta Park. From my house, we used a horse trail to hike down to JPL, right up to the front gate. I don't know how many of any of the original businesses are left. I was saddened to hear that the Altadena Public Library was having some major physical infrastructure issues, and that funding was in question…I spent most of my childhood in that very special place. Ralph's used to be right across the street from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's substation. The last damn thing Altadena does NOT NEED is Wal-Mart. Keep up the fight, my brother! Even though Michigan is now my home, Altadena will always be in my heart and soul! Please keep me posted…penkoffdan@gmail.com. Peace and love…Dan.