During February people around the globe celebrate love and friendship. Mel is no exception, during this particular time of the year, we would like to thank all the library friends starting with our front and help desk volunteers who put in their time, and effort running the library and kindly greet each of you every day, the patrons whose membership keeps our mission going, the visitors who bring new stories and share the word of MEL with others, the library collection committee and book carriers whose endless efforts keep improving MEL’s collection, the board of directors and long time friends who might not be in town but keep supporting the library in the best way they can. 

Happy love and friendship month to all of you!

IN OBSERVANCE OF MEXICAN CONSTITUTION DAY

It’s almost here!!  The 12th edition of the MEL Artist Studio Tour includes many of your favorite artists returning for another year along with some exciting new additions.  Join us for this better-and-bigger event, now over three days -  on Friday, February 14 between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM, Saturday, February 15 between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM and Sunday, February 16 between 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

This unique self-guided tour gives important exposure to local, national and international artists living and working in Mérida. Many of our artists are represented in galleries and museums around the world, but the MEL Artist Studio Tour is the only time their studios are open to the public. The tour allows you to spend quality time discussing the creative process with each artist and, if the mood strikes, you can purchase a work for your home. You’ll find sculptors, painters, printmakers, photographers and more in this talented group. Visit our website for details of the artists and their work, or check out the tour’s social media pages on Facebook (MEL Artist Studio Tour) or Instagram (melartiststudiotour).

Tickets at $500 each are now on sale at the library Monday through Saturday between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, or online in the MEL Shop.  Tickets will also be available at MEL on the tour's days: Friday 4:00 PM -  6:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM and Sunday 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

Attendees will receive a map with their ticket that indicates the locations of all the studios. Most studios are conveniently located in Centro and can be easily accessed on foot. However, due to the number of participating artists, it is advisable to plan your visit in advance. To enhance your experience, visit our artists page to identify the artists that resonate with you. You may choose to organize your day around a specific neighborhood or art style — it's entirely up to you!

MEL’s next Wine Tasting is being held in an historic Mérida mansion, still lived in by the family of the original owner who built this home almost a century ago.  You enter through a majestic gate and stroll through the grounds to reach an impressive home that retains the charm of another era.  In the splendid sala, with stained glass windows and high ceilings, our gracious hosts are happy to chat about their home and its history.  We welcome your attendance on Thursday, February 20 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Tickets go on sale to MEL members only at 9:00 AM on Thursday, February 6 online in the MEL Shop.  This members-only presale period is an online-only sale, and ticket purchases are limited to two per library Individual or Family membership number.  Please look here for details.

Any remaining tickets will go on sale without limit on Monday February 10 at 9:00 AM, either online or in person at MEL.  Tickets are $700 for MEL members and $800 for non-members.  The location of the event will be revealed to you after you make your ticket purchase.

 We look forward to seeing you all!

Special off-site tour: Meet us at Parque de Santiago (Calle 59 x 70 x 72) by 9:30 AM on Wednesday, February 12 for an incredible morning tour.  

For the rest of the month, we’ll continue our regular morning tours every Wednesday, meeting as usual at MEL.  The library doors open at 9:00 AM and the program starts at 9:30.

These are walking tours, showcasing a wide variety of homes and gardens in Mérida’s Centro Histórico. The House & Garden Tour is a “must do” for visitors and residents alike! It’s informative and fun!

The cost is $400 for MEL members and $500 for non-members. Visit our website for more information, include important information, and reserve your spots online in the MEL Shop. Remember, tours in February often sell out so reserve your spot today!

2024 Annual Report 

The MEL staff has provided a summary of the library’s activities and finances for 2024.  You can read it online in the MEL Blog.  Questions or comments?  Please send us an email.

Join fellow amateur writers at MEL for prose and poetry readings.  We’ll gather in the MEL classroom on February 25 starting at 6:15 PM to share ten-minute excerpts of our work.  This is a once-a-month meeting, and the next event will be on March 25.  Visit our website for more information.
 

Author Brooke Grazer presents her memoir about moving to Mexico and running a B&B. It is also about change; adapting to a new career, a different culture, and a slower pace. Join her on Monday, February 24 at 10:00 AM.

Losing her job gave Brooke the courage to shed the golden handcuffs of the corporate world, and reinvent herself. In their mid-forties, she and her husband sold their home in Canada and moved to Mexico. They built and ran a six-guest-room Bed and Breakfast in Bahias de Huatulco, Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s poorest and most traditional states. 

Visit our website for more information.

The Library Collections Committee (LCC) is always in need of volunteers to bring books to MEL from the US.  If you are planning a visit north, and have room in your return luggage for anywhere between two and 200 books, please send an email to Marianne Kehoe at kehoedds@gmail.com.  We appreciate your support in the valuable service.

All writers living in Mérida's vicinity, regardless of level of experience, are welcome to attend the Writers Group meetings in the classroom at MEL, alternate Wednesdays, including February 12 and February 26, at 11:00 AM.   Come join other enthusiasts for an exchange of ideas.

The Fiction & Friends book club will gather on February 27 to discuss The Stranger's Child by Alan Hollinghurst — a poignant and introspective novel that will resonate deeply with readers who appreciate literary fiction, historical depth, and explorations of identity, love, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly those who are drawn to stories about the intersection of art, family, and the enduring power of legacy.

Fiction & Friends meets on the last Thursday of each month starting at 10:00 AM.  Please visit our website for more information or to join the club.

Our free lecture series has a few more editions this season:

• Wednesday Feb 5: Bob Temple — Burning the Maya Books: Cultural Carnage and Survival. In the 1560s, Spanish invaders in Yucatán burned hundreds of Maya books, an act of unspeakable cultural genocide.  Only a few examples of these irreplaceable documents have survived, but the Maya people kept secret copies of what they could remember from their lost treasures.  Bob will discuss the history of the destruction and the surviving records.  Especially in our library, we recognize that the long history of suppressing books continues even today.  

• Wednesday Feb 12:  Fernando Abreu — Key Considerations When Buying a Home in Mérida Centro. Architect Fernando Abreu holds a Bachelor in Architecture and a Master of Construction Management. Leading the design-build firm CENTRO Architects, he has more than ten years of experience remodeling and renovating homes in Mérida’s Centro. 

• MORNING TALK - Monday, February 17 10:00 AM: Dr. David Brazier — The Conditioned Mind: A Buddhist Perspective.  Psychotherapist and Zen master Dr. David Brazier delivers an insightful exploration of Buddhist Psychology, an ancient and profound science of the mind. The Buddhists produced a psychological literature called Abhidharma, a stream-of-mind study that developed before and independently of modern psychology and offers interesting parallels and contrasts to it. It is a psychology to aid spiritual development that nonetheless can be readily applied to the amelioration of ordinary life problems. 

• Wednesday Feb 19: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht — Human Sacrifice & Bloodletting in Ancient Mesoamerica and the Near East. This talk will compare ritual practices, commonalities, and differences and provide an opportunity to reflect on how human sacrifice has become so central to narratives about "savage" Amerindians and the minimization of its role in the more "civilized" Near East. 

• Wednesday Feb 26: Tony Sherrin — Archeology Along the Tren Maya Route. PROMEZA is the Government program for improving Archaeological Zones along the train route. In this talk, Tony shares his interest in the many discoveries and the improvements in established sites along the route of the Tren Maya.

• Wednesday Mar 5::Marisol Achirica — Embracing the Emotional Journey of Moving Abroad: A Talk for Expats in Mérida. Living in a new country? Do you have kids growing up between worlds? Join us for a deep and insightful conversation designed to help you navigate the psychological and emotional processes of moving abroad, especially as it intersects with the second half of life. Whether you've come here for a fresh start, a slower pace, or new opportunities, relocation isn't just about logistics — it also brings profound shifts in identity, relationships, and worldview.

MEL Talks start at 7:00 PM and are free and open to the public.  Visit our website for the schedule, and watch past lectures on our YouTube channel.  

Calling All Lovers of Mother Earth!

Are you ready to do something decisive about climate change? 

The intention of the newly formed Climate Solutions Study Group at MEL is to inspire a growing community of people to actively engage in learning about and supporting climate solutions locally and globally.  We want to do that in smart ways. We want to learn about and address the most crucial issues, like reducing our use of fossil fuels to help the Earth’s atmosphere thrive. We want to advocate for sustainable energies like solar, wind, and water power. We want ally with local environmental leaders in ways that support the best solutions. We want to contribute meaningfully as guests, residents, and citizens of this beautiful Yucatán. And we want to do this with fun, curiosity, hope, cooperation, and civility.

Join us on Feb 21, 2025 at 11am at MEL to contribute your goodwill, skills, and energy to care for our precious collective home: Mother Earth. Please visit our website for more information.

You are all invited to join us on Friday, February 14, for a whole Valentine’s Day plan!

Whether you come for your MEL Artist Studio Tickets, for your Yoga or Pilates class, or just for your regular library visit, enjoy the day with us!

We open at 9 am, and at 9:30, the patio is taken by the Yoga class group. Feel free to register for a single class.

At 11 am Richie Poe will host his magnificent Pilates class in MEL’s A.C Classroom. If you’re not into Pilates, you may join the Valentine’s Card Workshop, our dear Margie Alexei will guide us to release our creative minds and create a beautiful card for your special ones at MEL’s patio.

At noon, challenge your knowledge of classical poetry by participating in the ‘Poetry Trivia Contest”, created by and hosted by new member, Jaime Canfield.

You will receive a paper with a list of poems and a list of poets. Each poem will be recited,  The challenge is to match the poem to the poet. If time permits participants will be given the opportunity to recite their favorite poems. Poetry lovers can’t miss this!

Throughout this day you will be able to find great Valentine’s treats for your loved ones available for sale such as delicious flower-shaped apples, covered with chocolate or chili powder, and the beautiful box of a dozen chocolate-covered strawberries. Pre-order before February 12 and pick them up on February 14. Few pieces will be available for sale at MEL.

The Mérida English Library is happy to host MEL Bingo Night on Friday, February 21, from 7 pm to 9 pm. MEL Bingo Night in February will take place on Friday only for this occasion since it is part of a special weekend ahead of the city’s carnival festivities. This is a special Carnival Edition, a day before our Fantasía Carnaval Event. Bring your best carnival spirits!!

It will be a fun night of friends of the library playing bingo the traditional way, as a fundraiser for MEL. More info here

Since 2012, hats and toys made by a group of crafters have been distributed weekly to children in the cancer unit of O’Horán Hospital. Besides a gorro (brimless hat), each child gets a toy and activity book, crayons or colored pencils.

 If you can knit, crochet, or sew, please join us in the classroom at MEL on the second and fourth Tuesdays, 9:30 - 12:30, from November through March. We have patterns and some materials to share, but please bring your own equipment and supplies if you have them. 

Join us under the stars on the MEL patio Tuesday, March 4 for a night of sing-a-long as Boone Rock, Jim Flanigan, Ellen Carol, Vince Ruttan, and John Swainson present “HOoOoOoT”!

HOoOoOoT is a step back in time to Greenwich Village in the 60s when clubs like Gerdes Folk City and The Bitter End featured performers, both famous and unknown, strumming acoustic guitars and encouraging the audience to sing along.   You’ll remember the songs but maybe not the lyrics, so the band will supply a QR Code that will allow you to see the set list and lyrics on your phone.  Join us for a spirited and memorable night! It’ll be a HOoOoOot!!!

Songs may include The Sound of Silence • Mr. Bojangles • Mr. Tambourine Man • Turn! Turn! Turn! • Amie • Both Sides Now • Happy Together • What Have They Done to My Song Ma • High Hopes • Trailers For Sale or Rent • Take Me Home, Country Roads and more.  Bring your cell phone to follow along with the lyrics!

The doors open at 6:30 PM and the concert begins at 7:00 PM.  You can get your tickets beginning February 17 ($150 each) online in the MEL Shop or at the library.  This concert sold out last year so don’t delay! 

Food & drinks will be available for purchase.

The Mérida English Library is fortunate to have many talented writers in our midst, and we gather many of them together for our Local Author Book Fair on Monday, March 10 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.  Are you a Mérida resident with published work?  Then please send us an email at info@meridaenglishlibrary.com to be considered for inclusion in this year’s fair.  We hope to accommodate all interested authors, but priority will be given to library members with new work to present.  Each participating author will be offered a 20-minute slot to read from their book.

The Local Author Book Fair allows you the opportunity to be exposed to interesting and unique books of all types,while supporting your friends and neighbors.  Come spend a fascinating morning with us!

Yoga4Snowbirds© are specially designed sessions that will help you unlock the key to feeling joyful, healthy and energetic- without risky or pretzel-like postures. Each class is different and offers a full-body, safe, mindful, breath-oriented sequence that includes powerfully grounding and strengthening, meditation in motion, breathwork, and other complementary somatic explorations.

You can register now for 4-consecutive classes for 1,000.00 using your credit card (credit card usage fees might apply), or you can buy single-class passes for 300 pesos. If you prefer to pay cash @ MEL, or by direct deposit, please send first a message to Alma to verify space availability.

Richard is a classically trained, 4th Generation Pilates Teacher.  He is skilled in working with a variety of populations; clients recovering from severe injury, novice and advanced students and athletes.  You should expect an accessible 55-minute group class focused on Classical Pilates Exercises that will challenge you but also help you regain mobility, length, flexibility and strength.  All student levels should feel comfortable in attending. You should also expect to improve breathing capacity and organ function while stimulating circulation through muscular flexibility, joint range of motion, and proper musculoskeletal alignment. For class, students should only bring a mat.  A Pilates-specific mat is preferred but not required.

Now at MEL on Fridays 11:00 am - 12:00 at MEL’s A.C Classroom.

Register for a single session for 200 pesos or a 700 monthly fee ( 4 sessions)

Embark on a journey of balance and harmony with tai chi classes

Taichi improves your coordination, alignment, breathing, coordination, concentration, and memory.

Join Mónica González in February for Tai Chi classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30 - 10:30 am.

7 classes in february for $450 / $100 single session. Register now

Villa Balché invites you to celebrate at their Fantasía Carnaval: drag show, drinks, party!

Saturday, February 22, from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Turn up your party spirit a week before the city Carnaval with this great event in which we will live a great Drag Queen Show with high-impact performances, costumes, and energy; hosted by our resident queen Samantha Delite, and more talented artists. Category is: Fantasía Carnaval! 

Taste our selected drinks from the OPEN BAR: all you can drink! Cocktails and mocktails.With your drinks, delicious snacks, courtesy of the Villa, and more food available for sale.

Be part of the contests and win prizes during this party.

$600 pesos per person/ $700 including round transportation from Centro and the North Mérida(meeting points are MEL and Chedraui Norte) 

Tickets are available for sale here at the Mérida English Library.

The patio of the Mérida English Library is the place where music, stories, arts & crafts projects, and friends meet and create a fabulous energy for the whole family to enjoy.

Register here to join us every other Saturday for a new Storytime at 10:00 am.

No pre-registration is required.

Click here for more info and to register.

Janelle Masden - Lori Carrasco - Brian Poust - Alva and Jim Hanrahan - Matt Hahnewald - Brooke Gazaar - Bob Temple - Tom and Betty Barton - Catherine Nevo - Priscilla and Erika Casso Echeverria - Anilú García -  Barry Zahn and Nancy Hoag - Analí Ordaz Souza - Conley Heaberlin - Scott R. White - Amy Wright - Misty Schuller - Sharon Kreider - Avra Anagnostis - Betsy Ward - Brent Precious - Donna Gamble - Betsy Alger - Pam Halverson - Christine and Dario Angeles - Mallory Anderson - Robbie Zehler - Francisco Vales - Pacifique Rojas - Karen Reynolds - Anthony Langley - Cinthya Stobbe.

Download it here