Luna’s feels the Affleck effect | Inquirer Greater Media
Plus, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is delaying its high school renovation.
Hi, Greater Media! 👋
Remember when Ben Affleck visited Swarthmore earlier this spring? The owner of Luna’s Mexican Grill certainly does, saying business has boomed since the celebrity stopped by. Also this week, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District is planning more cuts as part of its latest budget, there are Pride events and a car show coming up, plus we try a simple but satisfying sweet appetizer at La Belle Epoque.
We want your feedback! Tell us what you think of the newsletter by taking our survey or emailing us at greatermedia@inquirer.com.
Inquirer Greater Media
If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.
When Ben Affleck stopped by Luna’s Mexican Grill in late March, the Hollywood A-lister helped spur sales at the Swarthmore eatery.
Affleck was reportedly in town to tour Swarthmore College alongside his teenager Fin, and with time on their hands, the duo grabbed a bite to eat at the Park Avenue restaurant that opened last March.
After a frigid and snowy winter, the unexpected visit was a boon for business, owner Cristina Luna Ramirez said.
The Inquirer’s Torin Sweeney caught up with Ramirez to chat about the ripple effects of the celebrity encounter and how she’s been bringing the flavors of northern Mexico to the borough.
💡 Community News
ChristianaCare opened its first micro-hospital in Aston on Tuesday. Located at 700 Turner Industrial Way, the new facility has a 10-bed emergency department that’s expected to serve an estimated 15,000 patients a year. The Delaware health system plans to add primary care, cardiology, and other specialty services to the building’s second floor this fall.
The community is mourning the death of Gretjen Clausing, a Penncrest High School alum who was considered “a pillar of the Philadelphia film community.” She died suddenly last month at the age of 62. Born in Media and raised in Wallingford, Clausing spent over 40 years working as a community media activist, TV and radio programmer, production consultant, producer, filmmaker, radio host, and mentor.
A 43-year-old Media woman died on Friday morning after going through a police barricade on a major road outside Princeton, New Jersey. West Windsor Township police set up the barricades following a crash between a car and tractor trailer. According to police, hours later the Media woman, whose identity is being withheld during the investigation, drove through the barricades and crashed into the tractor trailer, suffering fatal injuries.
Last month, Media’s Greatest Hits Records & Books released its ode to Delco with an original 92-track album. Haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet? Here’s a sampling of what’s on Sounds of Delco.
🏫 Schools Briefing
In case you missed it, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District passed its 2026-27 budget last week, which calls for increasing taxes 3.2%, pushing back a planned high school renovation, and reducing staff, The Inquirer’s Maddie Hanna reports. Officials said the district has had a pattern of unsustainable spending in recent years, including the addition of 70 staff members between the 2020-21 school year and the current academic year.
In WSSD, tonight is the senior class’ commemoration and tomorrow is graduation. There’s a school board finance and facilities committee meeting Tuesday evening, and moving-up ceremonies on Wednesday. See the district’s full calendar here.
In Rose Tree Media School District, there’s a graduation rehearsal and senior clap-out today and a school board work session tonight. There’s no school tomorrow for an in-service day. It’s also Penncrest High School’s graduation and Springton Lake Middle School’s eighth grade farewell dance. Eighth graders will visit the high school on Tuesday. See RTMSD’s full calendar here.
🍽️ On our Plate
One of the best things an Inquirer reporter ate last week? The chèvre fouetté at La Belle Epoque in Media. The whipped goat cheese appetizer is topped with strawberries, fig jam, and pecans and is “so airy it felt like I was dipping my teeny toasts into a cumulus cloud,” reporter Beatrice Forman reports.
After a soft launch, Ryan’s Rise Up Cafe is hosting a grand opening Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. Located at 5 Evergreen Dr. in the Concordville Town Centre, the nonprofit cafe supports neurodiverse individuals.
🎳 Things to Do
🍓 Strawberry Festival: Indulge in all things strawberry at this annual festival that includes pick-your-own berries and a massive strawberry shortcake. ⏰ Saturday, June 6, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (Rain date: June 7) 💵 Pay as you go 📍 Linvilla Orchards, Media
🏳️🌈 Delaware County Pride Parade: Celebrate Pride Month at this mile-long parade through Media. ⏰ Saturday, June 6, noon-1 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 State Street, Media
🍿 Movie Night: Catch a screening of Zootopia 2 outdoors. ⏰ Saturday, June 6, 8 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Borough Hall lawn, Media
🏎️ State Street Car Show: Get up close to collectible cars at this annual event. ⏰ Sunday, June 7, noon-3 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 State Street, Media
🌈 Swarthmore Pride Celebration: Explore craft vendors, dine at food trucks, and listen to music at this event. There will also be a life-sized version of game “Candy Land” and a drag queen story hour for kids. ⏰ Sunday, June 7, 1-4 p.m. 💵 Free 📍 Swarthmore town center
🌲 Tyler at Twilight: This evening garden party includes food, drinks, and a raffle to raise funds for the arboretum. ⏰ Thursday, June 11, 5:30-9 p.m. 💵 $180 📍 Tyler Arboretum, Media
🏡 On the Market
Located in Upper Providence Township, this four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home has a classic Colonial exterior and a modern interior. The kitchen features white cabinetry, a waterfall island with quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances. It opens onto a family room, dining area, and living room anchored by a stone fireplace. The home also has a finished basement and a fenced backyard with a deck and raised beds. There’s an open house Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m.
See more photos of the home here.
Price: $850,000 | Size: 3,356 SF | Acreage: 0.56
🗞️ What other Greater Media residents are reading this week:
By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.
This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer’s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters.
