James Rawie, Artistic Director and Conductor

Tahoe Philharmonic (lovers of harmony) Orchestra and Chorus kicks off Maestro James Rawie’s 21st annual WinterFest with the “EPIC/Every Piece Is a Classic” concert series February 21-March 1. 

Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus will continue the celebration of Maestro James Rawie’s 21^st Anniversary, with two of the most memorable monuments in Western music: Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor and J.S.Bach’s  rousing Magnificat.  Kevin Matheson joins Tahoe Philharmonic, bringing to life one of the finest and most popular gems in the concerto repertoire. Maestro Rawie was the Founder and Artistic Director of TOCCATA for the past 19 years, presenting more than 500 classical concerts and soirees throughout the Reno/Tahoe Basin. TahoePhilharmonic is now under his Artistic Direction.

The series is called EPIC–Every Piece is a Classic.  The orchestra sets the tone for the Maestro’s 21^st Anniversary Year with the overture to Bach’s Orchestral Suite in D major, his majestic forward thought about purely orchestral music.  You will immediately fall in love with the main melodies of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor!    Settle in and let yourself be swept away by the turbulent passion of the opening movement, the languid beauty of the slow movement, and the giddy, high-spirited energy of the finale. The piece is played so often because it is undeniably a masterpiece in the world of violin concertos.  Kevin Matheson is normally with the Roanoak Virginia Symphony, but now journey’s three times per year to act as co-concertmaster with Tahoe Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus. 

Bach’s majestic Magnificat,  sung in latin, is one of the finest choral-orchestral achievements of his life’s (prodigious!) compositions. The work is in 12 movements, similar to Vivaldi’s treatment of his Gloria.  Vocal soloists include Mari Stoner, Michele Izor, and Debbie Sessions, sopranos: Lorelei vanPeborgh, mezzo; and Stuart Duke, baritone.  Cliff Richardson serves as co-concertmaster. Nick Haines and Katie Lauder are continuo, and William Cates, baroque trumpet. 

When and Where:

Saturday          February 21      4pm   ……………. RENO: St Lukes Lutheran Church   (3835 Lakeside Drive)

Sunday            February 22      4pm   ………. INCLINE VILLAGE: St Patrick’s Church   (341 Village Blvd);  

Saturday          February 28      4pm   …………………………….. MINDEN:  CVIC Hall    (1604 Esmeralde Ave.)

Sunday            March 1            4pm    .. RENO: St Rose of Lima Catholic Church  (100 Bishop Manogue Drive)

Tickets are available at the door for all concerts or online at www.Tahoe-Philharmonic.com.  General admission to EPIC/Every Piece Is a Classic concerts is $30 for adults.  Preferred seating is $40 adults/$15 youth and Premium seating is $50 adults/$25youth.   Benefactors row is $100/seat.  Under 23 years of age are admitted free, in general admission seating area, to most regular season concerts in 2026. Seniors enjoy $5 discount in all areas.   There are “back row”  seating tickets at no set charge, just donate what you can afford for this concert.

TahoePhil/ Maestro James Rawie’s 21^st Anniversary WinterFest continues March 29-April 7 featuring our annual J.S.Bach St. Matthew Passion series,  which now includes selections from part 2 and Ressurection of Handel’s immortal Messiah.

www.TahoePhilharmonic.com • Email- TahoePhilharmonic@gmail.com • Call 775-298-6989 • 

Mail Donations/Season Subscriptions: 586 Douglas Court • Incline Village, NV  89451

StrotzPhotography.com • Tax-Wisdom.com  •    Auditions/TourTo Croatia2026: 765-862-2282

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/6/2026, Written by Petra Molina

Most people in Tahoe would agree the Sierra Nevada snowpack is one of California’s most valuable natural resources. For some, that value is tied to powder days and packed parking lots at ski resorts. In reality, the snowpack’s importance extends far beyond winter recreation.

Skiers and snowboarders care about depth and quality. Hydrologists — and anyone who relies on Sierra snowmelt — focus on something else: how much water the snow actually holds. That measurement is known as snow water equivalent, or SWE.

On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30% of California’s annual water needs. Its ability to store precipitation through the winter and release it gradually in spring is why it’s often called the state’s “frozen reservoir.”

READ MORE >

Originally Published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/5/2026, Staff Report

The Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline is now accepting funding requests for 2026 from nonprofit organizations, service groups, and community-based projects that strengthen and enrich life in the Tahoe region and beyond. Through its Community Funding Request Program, Rotary proudly supports a wide range of initiatives that address education, public safety, health, youth development, human services, and global humanitarian needs.

Funding is made possible through the club’s signature fundraising event, Best Ball for a Cause, along with contributions to the Rotary Foundation. Grant awards are evaluated based on community benefit, demonstrated need, and alignment with Rotary’s mission of service above self. Grants are not awarded for general operating expenses, salaries, tuition, travel, or tournament entry fees.

“Our club is passionate about supporting projects of all sizes that create real, measurable impact,” said a representative of the Rotary Club of Tahoe-Incline. “From local classrooms to global clean water efforts, Rotary is committed to investing in solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities.”

READ MORE >

Originally published with KUNR Public Radio | By Maria Palma, 2/5/2026

From early morning powder days in Tahoe to the world’s biggest winter sports stage, one local skier is now competing at the Olympic Winter Games in Italy.

Fifteen-year-old Abby Winterberger, who grew up in Truckee, departed for Italy on Tuesday and is the youngest athlete on Team USA.

Winterberger doesn’t remember a time before skiing. Her parents put her on skis before she turned two, immersing her early in mountain life.

“I’ve kind of been immersed in the ski culture forever,” Abby said.

By the age of six, she was already competing, not only in skiing, but also in gymnastics. Her mother, Rosemary Winterberger, said it quickly became clear her daughter had a combination of talent and drive.

“She was throwing flips on the skis at a really young age,” Rosemary said. “She was super dedicated and hardworking and really loved it.”

READ MORE >

Photo courtesy of Palisades Tahoe and TEAM USA

Originally published in the Tahoe Daily Tribune, 2/3/2026, Written by Katelyn Welsh

The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District has fined the owner of the former Tahoe Biltmore Lodge & Casino for fire code violations.

After undergoing a foreclosure in July and switching hands to Lake Tahoe Partners LLC, the property lender now has a $3,150 bill for multiple violations. Lake Tahoe Partners LLC did not respond to the Tribune’s request for comment.

The enforcement action and resulting fines were triggered when the property’s demolition permits expired, creating uncertainty regarding whether, and when, work on the property would be completed, NLTFPD said.

READ MORE >

Originally published in the Sierra Sun, 2/2/2026, Written by Katelyn Welsh

Known for bluebird days and generous snowstorms, when Tahoe comes to mind, so does skiing. With over a dozen ski resorts within a 100-mile radius, the Tahoe area boasts the highest concentration of ski resorts in the county. A combined 14,000-plus vertical feet of skiing draws many from all over the country and world.

Learn about what goes into making the area a highly sought after skiing destination with a few behind the scenes peaks at area ski resorts. 

Diamond Peak’s summer prep for winter sends 

In what often feels like a race against the clock, a significant amount of work for winter operations occurs in the summer.

READ MORE >

Photo: A significant amount of work for winter operations occurs in the summer with equipment such as chairs and lifts undergoing inspections, testing and maintenance at Diamond Peak.Katelyn Welsh / Tahoe Magazine