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🏞️ Welcome to February in Billings… or is it July?

Well, folks, we don't know who left the weather dial on "Spring Break," but somebody better tell Montana it's still February. Shorts are out. Flip-flops are flappin’. You’d think we were on our way to a bonfire on the lake — not just tryin’ to survive winter. Hikers are out on the rims like it’s Glacier in July, motorcycles are rumbling down 27th, and there’s more convertibles than snowplows.

What gives?

While we’re not complainin’ (yet), it’s definitely got us looking over our shoulders for a surprise snowstorm. Until then, let’s soak it up like it’s legal, and check out what’s hot (literally) around town. Whether you’re trailblazing, event-hopping, or just looking for an excuse to show off your knees in February, we’ve got your guide to Billings this warm and weird winter stretch. 🌞

Hang on tight — the only thing predictable right now is that it’s not. Let’s dive in!

⚡ Everyday Edge — Coming Up

• Why a 10-minute walk can completely change how the rest of your day feels
• The 5-minute money check most people never do — and regret later
• The tiny gadget that saves more mornings than coffee ever will
• The quick phone cleanup that frees space without deleting the photos you care about
• The $5 grocery item chefs use to make ordinary dinners taste like a treat

👇
Scroll on. The details are waiting below.

Congratulations to Gene Hauck...Way to Go Gene

Gene Hauck has distinguished himself as a leading realtor in Billings, Montana, closing 24 transactions in the past year and surpassing $22.6 million in lifetime sales.

His reputation is built on strategic pricing, clear client communication, and a detail-driven process that smooths out even the most complex deals.

As of December 2025, the median home price in Billings is $369,450, down 3.4% from last year, but homes are selling faster, averaging just 77 days on the market.

Randall Contracting

"If It’s Broke, Randy Can Fix It!"

Leaky faucet? Wobbly deck? Closet door hangin' on by a prayer? Don’t sweat it — Randy’s your man! 🛠️

Randall Contracting offers handyman services of all kinds — no job too big, too small, or too weird. Whether it’s repairs, installations, or a honey-do list that’s turned into a novel, Randy’s been there, fixed that.

📞 Just call Randy at 406-855-7825 and let a local you can trust take care of it.

Because around here, when something needs fixing, folks just say:
"Better call Randy."

ArtWalk – Downtown Billings

MSU Billings Annual Jazz Festival Gala Concert

📅 Date: Friday, February 6, 2026
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Lincoln Center Auditorium (MSU Billings)
🎟️ Admission: (Varies / may require tickets)
📄 Details: Enjoy a night of jazz with MSU Billings’ annual jazz festival showcased in a gala concert featuring talented student and faculty musicians.

Zonta Club Trivia Night

📅 Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
🕒 Time: 5:00 PM
📍 Location: MetraPark - First Interstate Arena
🎟️ Admission: (Typically small entry fee / donation)
📄 Details: Join this community trivia night hosted by the Zonta Club — a fun way to test your knowledge and support local causes.

Business After Hours – Chamber Networking

📅 Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
🕒 Time: Varies
📍 Billings (venue listed on registration)
🎟️ Admission: Registration required
📄 Details: Professional networking event hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce — connect with fellow business professionals.

Chamber Women’s Network Meeting

🕒 Time: Varies
📍 Billings Chamber
🎟️ Admission: Registration required
📄 Details: A women‑focused networking event with speakers, community building, and professional opportunities.

MATE Show – Home & Health Expo

📅 Dates: Thursday–Saturday, February 12–14, 2026
🕒 Time: Check event schedule (typically daytime/evening)
📍 Location: MetraPark - First Interstate Arena
🎟️ Admission: Usually general admission tickets
📄 Details: An expo focused on home improvement, health & wellness, and local businesses showcasing products and services.

🧘 Health & Energy

The 10-Minute Walk That Changes Your Whole Day
A quick walk outside does more than stretch your legs. Research shows even 10 minutes of movement boosts mood and focus. Around here, that might mean a lap at Pioneer Park, a stroll along the Rimrocks, or just down a quiet neighborhood street. No gear. No gym. Just move and notice how much better the rest of the day goes.

💰 Money Moves

The 5-Minute Check That Could Save You Hundreds
Most people haven’t looked at their credit card perks in years. Take five minutes to scan your cards for annual fees and benefits you never use. You might be paying for “perks” that sounded good once but don’t fit your life anymore. That one check can quietly put a few hundred bucks back in your pocket this year.

🏡 Smart Living

The $8 Gadget That Saves Morning Meltdowns
If you’ve ever been late because you couldn’t find your keys, this one’s for you. A small key tracker lets you ring your keys from your phone or see their last location. It’s a tiny fix, but it saves real stress especially on cold Montana mornings when nobody wants to be standing outside digging through pockets.

💻 Tech & Tools

The Phone Cleanup That Frees Up Space Fast
If your phone keeps nagging you about storage, you’re not alone. Free cleaner apps can find duplicate photos, junk files, and old downloads you forgot existed. Five minutes later, your phone runs smoother and you don’t have to delete photos of the kids, the dog, or last summer’s fishing trip.

🍴 Food & Fun

The $5 Ingredient That Makes Dinner Taste “Restaurant Good”
Anchovy paste sounds scary, but used sparingly it doesn’t taste fishy at all. A tiny dab in pasta sauce, soup, or salad dressing adds depth and richness chefs call “umami.” It’s one of those quiet little tricks that makes a simple weeknight meal taste like you tried a lot harder than you did.

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Employees at the Starbucks on King Avenue West in Billings have voted to unionize, signaling a major shift for Montana’s labor scene.

Allysha Biggs, a Coffee Master at the location, voiced hopefulness about the change.

She noted the decision centers on building a supportive workplace and decreasing staff turnover, rather than demanding higher pay.

Biggs said leadership support has been lacking over the past year, and many staff see unionizing as a positive step forward.

Starbucks representatives stated they respect employees’ rights to unionize or not, reinforcing their commitment to fair process.

Many customers have also shown approval for the employees’ move, seeing it as a matter of workers’ rights and fair representation.

If certified, this Billings Starbucks will become the third unionized store in Montana, joining two Missoula locations.

🎶 Live Music Highlights

1. 🎸 Local Shows at The Pub Station
A perennial favorite for concerts and live music — they’ve got a bunch of acts this month: shows include Club 90s: The Weeknd Night (Feb 6), Whitey Morgan and the 78’s (Feb 7), Gloomlight: The Midnight Bloom Release Show (Feb 13), and Brick Haus: Heart Throb (Feb 14) — all in the taproom or ballroom venues.

2. 🎤 Live Music & Events at Thirsty Street Brewing Co
This popular downtown brewery features open mic nights, local artist showcases, and other music‑centric events throughout February (e.g., Open Mic on Feb 7, and the Local Artist Showcase on Feb 21).

3. 🎻 Performances at Alberta Bair Theater
The region’s premier performing arts venue hosts live concerts and performances — from symphonies to touring shows — and usually has a season lineup through February and beyond. Check their official calendar for classical, jazz, and other performances.

4. 🎶 Venues & Jams Around Town
Other local spots that often host live acts, jams, or music‑themed nights include:
- Craft Local — craft beer & local music vibe
- Daisy Dukes Saloon and Dance Hall — occasional live bands & dancing
- The Paper Mill — live shows and events

A quiet Friday morning in Billings Heights became a nightmare when an intense house fire consumed a family home on Caroline Street around 8:30 a.m.

Homeowners Andrew Rudolph and his wife escaped with their lives thanks to a delivery worker who knocked on their door to alert them about smoke pouring from their garage.

When Rudolph opened the garage door to investigate, he was met with a wall of flames that forced him to slam it shut immediately.

The family grabbed their dog and evacuated as 17 firefighters from ten units battled the blaze.

The fire's extreme heat melted both vehicles parked outside and even damaged neighboring property, melting siding on an adjacent house.

Fire investigators determined the probable cause was improper disposal of smoking materials.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, though the family lost nearly everything they owned.

This incident highlights ongoing fire safety challenges in the Heights area, which has experienced several significant blazes in recent years.

🧤 That’s a Wrap, Billings!

Well butter our biscuits and call it spring — if February keeps actin’ like this, we’ll be planting gardens before Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re hittin’ up a concert, swingin’ by a local trivia night, or just takin’ a flip-flopped stroll down the rims, there’s no shortage of good times rollin' in town right now.

So keep your thermals on standby (just in case), keep your calendars full, and don’t forget to give ol’ Randy a call if your screen door’s flappin’ in the breeze again.

Until next time — stay kind, stay curious, and stay local, Billings! 💚
Catch ya down the trail!

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska