100 Years Ago: Afternoon Fire Destroys Schipper & Block Dry Goods and Clothing Store in Beijing | Briefs

February 8, 1922: An early afternoon fire nearly destroyed the Schipper & Block dry goods and clothing store in downtown Beijing. Two adjoining businesses, a hardware store and a pharmacy, suffered smoke and water damage. S&B’s losses were estimated at $80,000 and the cause is unknown.

February 8, 1947: Now we know. Even the thermometer freezes in the cold of Alaska. Former Bloomington resident CO Chaddon, now living in Alaska, writes from Anchorage that the mercury is freezing at 40 below zero; and 19 consecutive days have passed with sub-zero temperatures.

February 8, 1972: About 150 people filled City Council Chambers to protest Bloomington’s urban renewal plan for Forty Acres and other areas of the city. While some objected to their properties being targeted for demolition, others complained about alleged heavy-handed tactics.

February 8, 1997: Circle Lanes has replaced the first ten feet of each of its bowling alleys with a synthetic surface. The popular Holiday Drive bowling center has been around since around 1960. Someone once bowled a perfect game on one of the renovated surfaces.