Issue #558: Smashburger Sparks Buzz, Olympic Pup Steals Spotlight, Cultivated Beef Review, & Rays Land Decision Ahead

2/19/2026

Author

Ted Grellner
19 Feb

Keep your finger on the Pulse!

GOOD MORNING

Dr Ted
USAF Retired

 
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In this issue of NewTampa | WesleyChapel Local Pulse

Our Event Calendar 

Please post events of interest to our NT|WC Live Events Calendar; its easy to do.

Food

— Station Smashburger Drives Local Buzz in Brevard County

Of Interest

— Four-Legged Freestyler Crashes Olympic Sprint Finish

Medical News

— Early Safety Review Finds Surprising Immune Reactions to Cultivated Beef

Sports

— Florida Cabinet to Weigh 22-Acre Land Transfer for Rays Stadium

Station Smashburger Drives Local Buzz in
Brevard County

A former car industry veteran is revving up Cocoa Village’s food scene with hearty, no-frills favorites at The Filling Station Café.

Located at 520 Brevard Ave., Suite 4 in Cocoa, the nearly year-old café is owned by Doug and Graciella Ostroff. After 51 years in Massachusetts — and decades in the auto business — Doug traded engines for eats, creating what he calls “a kitchen, not a restaurant.”

The café’s signature “Station Smashburger” features double hand-rolled patties smashed thin and seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Cajun spice. The “Diesel Chicken Caesar Wrap” layers grilled chicken, romaine, Caesar dressing and Parmigiana cheese.

Guests can relax in a charming alleyway setting, and dog owners are encouraged to bring their pups.

Open daily except Sundays, The Filling Station Café has quickly built a loyal following for its casual vibe and bold, downhome flavors.

Four-Legged Freestyler Crashes Olympic Sprint Finish

A loose dog briefly became the most talked-about athlete at the 2026 Winter Olympics after sprinting onto the cross-country ski course in Tesero, Italy.

During the women’s team sprint heats at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the canine darted onto the straightaway and ran alongside competitors as they powered toward the finish line.

Skiers remained composed, keeping their focus as spectators cheered the unexpected participant. The dog crossed the finish before venue officials intervened and safely removed it from the course. Organizers later said the animal had slipped away from a local owner during a nearby walk.

The lighthearted interruption came on a historic day at the same venue. Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo claimed his 10th Olympic gold medal — and his fifth of these Games — further cementing his legacy in cross-country skiing.

Early Safety Review Finds Surprising Immune Reactions to Cultivated Beef

Cultured beef may contain fewer traditional allergens than conventional steak, but new research shows it could pose heightened risks for people with certain meat allergies.

In a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers led by Laura Domigan and Renwick Dobson of the American Chemical Society compared lab-grown bovine muscle cells to traditional beef.

Scientists found that most known beef allergens were present at similar or lower levels in cultured cells. However, three immune-reactive proteins were elevated, and cultured cells triggered stronger responses in blood samples from individuals with alpha-gal syndrome, a red meat allergy linked to lone star tick bites.

While overall allergen-related hazards appeared lower for classic beef proteins, risks tied to alpha-gal were higher. Researchers emphasize that comprehensive allergy assessments will be critical as cultivated meat moves toward commercialization.

Florida Cabinet to Weigh 22-Acre Land Transfer
for Rays Stadium

Florida officials will decide next week whether to transfer 22 acres of state-owned land to support a proposed Tampa Bay Rays stadium in Tampa.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet are set to consider conveying nonconservation land to Hillsborough College at its Dale Mabry campus. The land would anchor a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays, along with mixed-use development including housing, retail and restaurants.

The agreement requires construction to begin within five years, or the state could reclaim the property. The Rays hope to open the stadium by April 2029 and have pledged to cover 50% of projected costs, reportedly up to $2.3 billion, plus future repairs.

Public funding discussions are ongoing, with potential sources including local sales taxes and tourism revenues. While DeSantis says “baseball belongs in Tampa Bay,” he noted other Florida cities, including Orlando, have expressed interest.

Tampa Bay’s Best Things to Do
Feb 19-25
Source: cltampa.com

Top Events in Tampa Bay for week of
Feb 16
Source: tampabay.com

Things to do in Tampa this weekend
3/1 - 3/3
Source:
tampabay28.com

Things to do Around
Tampa & WC
2/19- 2/25:
Source:
tampabeacon.com

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