Although the library is closed on November 2nd and the 18th, you can still return your books through the door slot located at the right bottom of our front door.

To prevent books from getting damaged by this season's rains,  we kindly ask you to wrap your books in a plastic bag before placing them through the door.

Dr. Humberto Campins from the University of Central Florida returns to Mérida. Last year he gave a talk at MEL about space and his collaboration with NASA, the OSIRIS Rex return mission. 

Humberto Campins, Ph.D. now brings us
“NASA’s DART and ESA’s Hera Missions to Deflect Asteroids” Do not miss it - Wednesday November 6th at 12:00 p.m in MEL’s air-conditioned classroom.

During November on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the morning, continue practicing Tai Chi lessons in the rooftop of MEL.

You can now register for a single class for 100 each or $500 special price for a month ( 8  classes) 

• From 9:30 am to 10:30 am

• Limited spaces

• Outdoor rooftop area.

It’s not too late to learn about Yucatecan Art History!  One session remains in this series, with “From Expressive Figurativism to Edgy Abstraction: A Journey through Castro Pacheco and Gabriel Ramírez” being presented on Monday, November 4 from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM in our classroom.  Visit our website for more information or to register for this session.  The cost for this final session is $750.

Instructor Raúl Gasque is a Mexican multidisciplinary artist and art educator who works with performance, abstract expressionism, photography, and text.  This is his third Art History workshop series at MEL.

MEL's November 2024 Wine Tasting event brings us to a sophisticated, artsy home with free-spirited sensibility and flowing tropical breezes.  Located in the heart of Santiago, this home is very special and peaceful.  A beautifully restored colonial gem, thoughtfully transformed,  creating spacious living areas, a delightful landscape, a large free-flowing pool, and many comfortable patio areas.  It is a truly customized property to be enjoyed by all.  Please join us at 7:00 PM on Thursday, November 21 for this celebratory event!

Tickets go on sale to MEL members only at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 7 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, November 11 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!

It’s back!  The popular House & Garden Tour celebrates our 20th anniversary as we kick off a new season on Wednesday, November 4!  This is a walking tour, 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

 Introducing MEL’s New Evening House & Garden Tour! 

We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new addition to our House & Garden Tours—The Evening Tour! This special tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of Mérida’s homes from a completely different perspective.

As night falls, the magic begins. With thoughtfully placed lighting, these homes take on a whole new glow, and their charm is transformed. From the soft illumination of antique furniture restored to the way light enhances vibrant colors and intricate designs, you'll see these spaces in a way that’s simply marvelous.

The weekly cost remains $400 for MEL members and $500 for non-members. Visit our website for more information, include important information about the evening and other special tours, and reserve your spots online in the MEL Shop. 

Stay tuned for dates and details, and don’t miss this chance to experience our tours like never before!

Join fellow amateur writers at MEL for prose and poetry readings.  We’ll gather in the MEL classroom on November 19 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 December 17.  Visit our website for more information.

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 November 6 and November 20, at 11:00 AM.   Come join other enthusiasts for an exchange of ideas.

The Fiction & Friends book club is gaining members and enthusiasm and we’re looking forward to a great high season.  The Friends will discuss this book in November.

• November 28: Signs Preceding the End of the World by Yuri Herrera  — Traversing the lonely territory between the USA and Mexico is Makina, a young woman who knows only too well how to survive in a violent, macho world. Leaving behind her life in Mexico to search for her brother, she is smuggled into the USA carrying a pair of secret messages – one from her mother and one from the Mexican underworld.

This month, Fiction & Friends will meet on November 28 starting at 10:00 AM.  Please visit our website for more information or to join the club,

Our free lecture series begins a new season this month with a talk by Carlos Alberto Estrada Pinto.   Carlos is Rector of the Autonomous University of Yucatan, and will talk about the university. 

MEL Talks are held on Wednesdays starting 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.  

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. 

Questions?  Please send an email to the group organizers

MEL/UADY  TWO LANGUAGES - ONE WORLD

BEGINNING OUR 9TH YEAR!
   
Enrich your life while enriching the life of a UADY student.

BECOME A HOST

The Merida English Library, in partnership with UADY (Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan), is sponsoring this unique program for its 9th season.  The program offersUADY students studying to become English teachers a rich cultural experience and language exchange with native English speakers.  We are seeking volunteer hosts who are excited to spend 20 hours with these students over several months.

For more information, contact Melissa James before November 9th, 2024.

m.james.stl@gmail.com

Save the date! The Mérida Chili Cook Off is coming back to town!

This 10th edition of the Mérida Chili Cook Off is set for Sunday, January 12, 2025, from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at Casa de Amistad in Itzminá, Mérida. There will be live music, food and more fun activities!

Tickets will be available at the Mérida English Library during library hours starting November 4th.

You can also get yours online or in person at different locations in Mérida.

Your ticket to the Mérida Chili Cookoff welcomes you to Casa de Amistad in Itzminá Mérida, for a tasting of different chilis. In addition, you'll receive a courtesy drink and a hot dog. A variety of drinks will be available for sale during the event.

This event is a fundraiser for children's charities, organized by the @meridaenglishlibrary , the International Women's Club, the Mérida Men's Club, & the Mérida English Rotary Club.

We will be making Holiday cards again this year for Yucatán Giving Outreach.  YGO distributes 1300 gifts and holiday cards to their various charities each year.

Most of the cards will be stamped, just ready for coloring so everyone can participate even if you are not a super-creative, artistic person!  You don’t even have to color within the lines.

If you are interested in helping us please join us November 11, 9:30 to 1:00 at MEL.

Local people and visitors from abroad find Conversaciones con Amigos quite helpful as they meet to practice conversation in English and Spanish at the patio of the Mérida English Library. Every Monday from 7 to 9 pm, we assign a topic and follow-up questions to keep the conversation going, though participants can choose to discuss this or any other matter,as long as we keep controversial topics off the table. It’s a free program for MEL members, and non-members can pay a donation of $20 pesos to participate. We will be closed on Monday, November 18 due to an official holiday. 

What time is it? It's Storytime!

Do not miss the following dates of MEL Storytime, every other Saturday, starting at 10 am, at the patio of the Mérida English Library. We begin with a warm-up song, then we read a book from our collection, next we all participate in an arts & crafts project. Finally, we all share our work with our friends. Program designed for children ages 3 to 9 years old.

Be part of our CANDY-RAISER, bring candies for our piñata during Posada Mexicana at MEL. You can bring it on your next visit to MEL Storytime. Storytime is free and open to the public.

Mark your calendars!

Yes, it’s that time of the year! Mark your calendars for an exciting month of holiday activities! 

The Mérida English Library is proud to present the 4th edition of the MEL Holiday Bazaar 2024 . Find amazing items hand-made by local artisans. You can also find antiques, second-hand items, books, plants, drinks, food, and more! Get your holiday presents here for your loved ones. Saturday, December 7th, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm

In our 3rd year hosting The Posada Mexicana at MEL , we realized how much fun we have with all our members. Join us on Saturday, December 14th, from 7 to 9 pm to sing Christmas carols in English and Spanish + Christmas dinner + Piñata and candies for everybody!

This is our way to say thank you for an amazing year full of experiences and great memories with all of you, members of the Mérida English Library.

IT’S DONATION SEASON!

We call all our members to support the library during this season with our donation campaign.

• Candies for our piñata for our grand Posada Mexicana at MEL event.

• Holiday decorations (to use in the library)

• Craft supplies for our events (markers, crayons, colored pencils, scissors, glue, googly eyes, craft paper, foam paper, wooden sticks, etc.)

• Bringing books from the US 

• Second-hand items (functioning appliances, furniture, decor, antiques) to sell during our next bazaar

• Monetary donations 

• Becoming a member and supporting our programs and events by attending and sharing with your family and friends.

For more info click here

Jump the ongoing sessions of Spanish. Choose your level and take a free trial class and pay at the end for a month or two with a special discount. Enjoy the Social Class at the end of the month. Register here: https://meridaenglishlibrary.com/asesoras-de-idiomas-mrida?rq=aseso#

Here at MEL we are thankful for having the artistic sessions of Wine & Paint with our friends Conchita and Ale from Talleres Articrea. Last time we had a blast with the Day of the Dead edition. 

Register for a new session on Saturday, November 23 from 11:30 pm to 1:30 pm using an Art Decó inspiration to paint a totebag with a drink in hand. 

Register with friends and get a special discount.

BOOK PRESENTATION

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30TH AT 10:00 AM

ARCHITECTURE: WEAKNESS AND STRENGTH

by MONTE ARQUITECTOS

Donald Eubanks - Phil Gillett - Matt Hahnewald - Nigel Cundale - Hani Farah - Kathleen Lonergan - Richard Firth - Liz Gassimi - Harrington Mahood - Jae Om and Melissa James - Linda O' Donnell - Nic Lavroff - Ryan Ricci - Aaron Shapiro - Rose Baltus - Annie Eckles - Dorethea Ragsdale - Terri Young - Michael Uebel-  El Pueblo Mérida Hotel - Jim Innocent - Fiona Coughneour.

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