MONUMENTS IN TIME- FELIX CHEVROLET

DTLA MONUMENTS IN TIME

LANDMARK CAR DEALERSHIP FELIX CHEVROLET CELEBRATES 100 YEARS

Since the time before seat belts, airbags, toll lanes, and SUVs, most of Los Angeles can remember driving on the Harbor freeway and passing the giant, threesided sign featuring the iconic cartoon character, Felix the Cat and his great big smile of accomplishments.

Although, we may have been too young to understand the word ‘Chevrolet’ just below him, as children, we just figured Felix Chevrolet was the home of the mischievous black cat with the high pitched voice. So, whenever our parents drove by, it was time for everyone in the car to start singing.

“Felix the cat the wonderful wonderful cat… whenever he gets in a fix, he reaches into his bag of tricks.”

Little did we know we were celebrating one of the most quintessential signs in all of Los Angeles. Felix the “invincible” cat? Erected in 1958, the vintage neon sign stood unbothered for decades, until facing the possibility of being demolished just fourteen years ago.

What decades of earthquakes, fires, and riots had failed to do, a developing South Park and concerns the sign would hinder any future rebranding attempts by Chevrolet, were reasons enough to allow the destruction of the iconic Spanish Colonial/Streamlined Moderne style building and its magically-fixed ‘Felix the Cat’ sign. It took local advocates to petition the Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC), a five-member, mayoral-appointed commission that considers and reviews projects that affect more than 1,100 existing historic monuments, to get Felix the Cat out of that fix. Winslow, a Mexican immigrant, died at just 46, succumbing to injuries he suffered after being trampled by a horse in 1936.

Winslow B. Felix was believed to be the 1st Mexican American to own a dealership in the LA area.

For the record, the location itself will always be historical by every sense of the word. Long before the cat’s neon sign, Winslow B. Felix had established Felix Chevrolet in 1921.

Around the same time, Winslow had met Pat Sullivan one of the creators behind “Felix the Cat”, a cartoon character developed nine years before Mickey Mouse. Decades passed, as Felix the Cat went on to become a legend, changing in appearance just as much as the iconic downtown Los Angeles Felix Chevrolet location.

Pat and Winslow became close friends, and since Winslow and the Cat had the same name, they decided to cross-market their brands having the dealership promote the Cat and the cartoon character promote the Felix Chevrolet dealership location.

Nickolas Shammas purchased Felix Chevrolet in 1957, around the same time the new freeway system was being built.

He knew that visibility from the 110 Freeway was important so he commissioned a giant, three-sided neon sign to be erected at Felix Chevrolet. Continued on page 11.

LET'S BE BLUNT

How do states right their wrongs for the 'War on Drugs’ disproportionate impact on BIPOC once they legalize weed?

According to the ACLU 4/20 report published last year, marijuana use is relatively similar across races and ethnic groups. Yet, Black and Latino communities in LA are still being hit harder by cannabis-related arrests, despite its legalization in 2016.

With the country continuing to reckon with these statistics, more legislation and solutions have been popping up around the country. San Diego recently reduced and dismissed marijuana-related convictions for over 22,000 people.

LA is also part of a multi-county Social Equity Program providing priority application processing and business support to people based on factors like cannabis convictions and living in heavily policed zip codes before November 8, 2016, when California voted to legalize weed recreationally.

Their mission seeks to increase the quality of life for marginalized communities by creating new ownership and employment opportunities in the cannabis industry.

Eligibility is divided into three tiers based on factors, including ownership percentages for qualified people. The 90013, 90014, and 90021 downtown areas are amongst the qualified zip codes.

But is it enough? Black and Latino communities in LA are still being hit harder by cannabis-related arrests, despite its legalization in 2016. Why? Legalization doesn’t extend to unlawful possession, consumption, and activities. Possession of distribution materials or more than the legal limit of THC-active goods can result in arrests and fines. Unlicensed dispensaries violate a city ordinance that makes it “unlawful for a person to establish, operate, or participate as an employee, contractor, agent or volunteer, in any unlicensed Commercial Cannabis Activity in the City”. But that does not prevent these spots from operating all over the county. Even without lab testing and fancy packaging, clientele in black market dispensaries still spend top dollar to get high-quality goods. Many clients pay $40+ per 1/8 ounce and have an eye (and nose) for the best buds out there. Higher quality isn’t driving customers to legal dispensaries but will law enforcement? The threat of punishment alone has not been successful in swaying people so far.

Unfortunately, when these underground spots are busted, security guards and budtenders usually face arrest before owners and landlords.

Picture this—walls with bullet holes and broken glass along your path. You're lookig over your shoulder, checking for the police. Maybe you drive or walk up to "The Spot." Deep down, you think about the day when you find yourself face-toface with the law (again). For many, this has been a reality at some point in life. Yet, the legal cannabis industry is making billions each year.

The Social Equity Program can push more people towards licensing and obeying cannabis regulations by providing priority processing of applications and renewals. In theory, this should make opening dispensaries easier and faster. But for people to become willing participants, they’ll have to trust that LA county has their best interest at heart.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for eligible workers and families with low to moderateincome. Those who qualify for EITC and/or Cal EITC and claim the credits could pay less in taxes or even get a tax refund up to $8,000. There are Federal EITC (EITC) and California EITC (Cal EITC).

The eligibility and qualifying amount are based on the income, filing status, and the number of qualifying children in the tax year. People without qualifying children or dependents may also qualify.

If you qualify for Cal EITC and have a child under the age of 6 as of the end of the tax year, you may qualify for an additional $1,000 through Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC). You can still get back those tax credits going back up to 3 years if you missed them and were eligible, but you must file or amend your previous tax returns to claim them.

Great News! The eligibility of Cal EITC and YCTC extend to all qualified non-residents who file 2020 taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN).

ITIN filers don't need to provide supporting identification information to file tax returns and claim CalEITC/YCTC. California provides the Golden State Stimulus Payment of $600 or $1,200 to all taxpayers who receive Cal EITC and/or file taxes with an ITIN on the 2020 tax return. To get free tax filing service at a location near you, use the VITA/ TCE locator at https:// rebrand.ly/dtwftbvita21. If you're 60 years old or above, you can use Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) at no cost. Get Up To $8,000 Back On Your Taxes & Golden State Stimulus Payment of $600 or $1,200 The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit for eligible workers and families with low to moderate-income. Those who qualify for EITC and/ or Cal EITC and claim the credits could pay less in taxes or even get a tax refund up to $8,000. There are Federal EITC (EITC) and California EITC (Cal EITC).

DTLA

Get Up To $8,000 Back On Your Taxes & Golden State Stimulus Payment of $600 or $1,200

The eligibility and qualifying amount are based on the income, filing status, and the number of qualifying children in the tax year. People without qualifying children or dependents may also qualify.

MONEY MATTERS DO YOU QUALIFY FOR CAL EITC?

If you qualify for Cal EITC and have a child under the age of 6 as of the end of the tax year, you may qualify for an additional $1,000 through Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC).

You can still get back those tax credits going back up to 3 years if you missed them and were eligible, but you must file or amend your previous tax returns to claim them. Great News! The eligibility of Cal EITC and YCTC extend to all qualified nonresidents who file 2020 taxes with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN). ITIN filers don't need to provide supporting identification information to file tax returns and claim CalEITC/YCTC. California provides the Golden State Stimulus Payment of $600 or $1,200 to all taxpayers who receive Cal EITC and/or file taxes with an ITIN on the 2020 tax return.

To get free tax filing service at a location near you, use the VITA/TCE locator at https://rebrand.ly/dtwftbvita21. If you're 60 years old or above, you can use Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) at no cost.