🍔 National Hamburger Day, 216 Style

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: We’re starting with JFK’s private car, a deadly train, and enough haunted energy to make Cleveland’s tracks feel extra spooky 🚂👻🛤️

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

It’s a rusty, dusty train-lover’s paradise and one of the city’s best-kept secrets. 

Well, the secret is out.

Midwest Railway Preservation Society will find itself in the spotlight to celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary.

On June 20, 24 and 27, the not-for-profit organization at the bottom of Tremont will host tours of the yard and roundhouse that explore the role of trains in the building of the nation and Cleveland.

But MRPS isn’t a graveyard of trains. It’s a place where romance for another time and dreams of bringing it back to life reside.

It boasts a circa-1907 Historic B & O Roundhouse – one of three of its kind still functioning in Ohio and 15 in the country — and more than two dozen hulks of the rail.

There’s a rare 1918 Light Mikado locomotive and cars that Presidents John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter rode.

It’s also home to the notorious train that was involved in one of the most grisly accidents in American transportation history: "The Death Car.”

In 1943, an accident emitted scalding-hot steam into the car – claiming the lives of 29 passengers, but leaving it unscathed. 

Said to be haunted, it’s attracted paranormal investigators, even Willem Dafoe, in search of ghosts.

It isn’t just the burgers and shakes. Bearden’s is one of the area’s most beloved eateries because of the memories it conjures.

Since 1948, the Rocky River institution has brought together generations of families with its timeless menu, vintage car nights and parties.

Check out the bear logo, classic diner look, steakburgers and shakes, the toy train that circles the dining room.

They recall America’s love affair with burgers and the places that serve them.

Bearden's remains a living piece of Cleveland history – and will connect past and present on Thursday by offering $3 burgers for National Hamburger Day.

Electricity costs have skyrocketed by 267% in five years in areas near hyperscale data centers. Last summer, they accounted for a 10-15% increase in electricity bills.

And yet, Ohio taxpayers are subsidizing them – at a much higher rate than initially suggested.

Enough, says Kent Smith of Euclid.

The Ohio Senator is demanding the termination of tax breaks for data centers after the state revealed shocking levels of hand outs:

“The jaw-dropping, recent reporting about how much money the state of Ohio is giving to the richest corporations in the world demands immediate action,” said Smith.

He has pushed for a repeal of the tax break since December 2024.

“We could have saved Ohioans $1.5 billion. Now that we know how much it is costing the state of Ohio, it is undeniable that this is the worst tax break in Ohio’s history,” Smith added.

The backlash to data centers is surging.

Seventy-one percent of Americans oppose having them in their neighborhoods, while only 7% are strongly in favor, according to Gallup.

WEDNESDAY

CLE Market: The outdoor market brings artisans, vendors and food trucks to Coe Lake. 4-8 p.m. Info.

Masters of American Music: Ray Flanagan performs a tribute to Mississippi John Hurt at Visible Voice. 8:30 p.m. Info.

THURSDAY

Movies in the Park: Crocker Park opens its outdoor movie series with a screening of “The Incredibles.” The series runs Thursdays (starting at sundown) through Sept. 3. Info.

Erica Rhodes: She’s appeared on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ ‘Colbert’ and ‘Modern Family’ and boasts two albums to hit #1 on the iTunes comedy charts. 7 p.m. at Hilarities. Info.

Swing Era Big Band: The Cleveland outfit performs six decades of swing and jazz, and will be joined by vocalist Cindy Smith. 7:30 p.m. at Brothers Lounge. Info.

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He spent decades on Cleveland TV, along his co-host Big Chuck Schodowski, and appeared in countless zany skits that live on in Cleveland lore.

He’s wrestled bears, fought Mike Tyson and tried his hand at being Elvis (until he was chased down by fellow impersonators who weren’t enamored with his act).

He has many stories to tell and now he’s doing it.

The Cleveland legend has just released his memoir, Laughing My Way Through Life!

“I’ve had enough fun to fill several lifetimes,” he says. “And these stories are some of my all-time favorite moments.”

At 7 p.m. Thursday, he’ll celebrate its release by recounting the yarns of his life at Music Box Social Club. Info.

Patty's Cafe, 1954. The West 25^th bar was popular for its pierogis, beer signs and Friday fish fry. The building was demolished to make way for I-490.

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78 °F 🌡️ 58 °F | 🌤️➡️🌦️ (Spot PM Shower) | 20% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 7 mph WNW (≈ 6 knots)

67 °F 🌡️ 49 °F | ☀️ (Sunny) | 6% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 14 mph NNE (≈ 12 knots)

73 °F 🌡️ 56 °F | ☀️ (Mostly Sunny) | 7% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 10 mph WNW (≈ 9 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Away vs. Knicks, 8 PM May 27 (Wednesday) — East Conf. Finals

Home vs. Knicks, 8 PM May 29 (Friday) — East Conf. Finals

Away vs. Knicks, 8 PM May 31 (Sunday) — East Conf. Finals

Home vs. Nationals, 1:10 PM May 27 (Wednesday)

Home vs. Red Sox, 7:10 PM May 29 (Friday)

Home vs. Red Sox, 4:10 PM May 30 (Saturday)

Home vs. Red Sox, 1:40 PM May 31 (Sunday)

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