Optum Urgent Care has expanded into North Texas with the opening of its new, on-demand health and wellness Optum Urgent Care clinic in Plano, located at 2100 Dallas Parkway (at W. Park Blvd.).

This is Optum’s first location in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Optum also operates clinics in the Houston, Las Vegas and Kansas City metro markets.

The 2,981-square-foot clinic has nine custom care suites, two procedure rooms, two advance screening rooms, and an onsite lab/X-ray. The medical team in Plano is led by Dr. Julie Stephen.

In addition to urgent care, the clinic provides immunizations, wellness coaching, cosmetic treatments, pediatric care, and comprehensive school, camp and sports physicals without appointments.

“Convenient, highly personalized care delivered by dedicated medical professionals – that is what consumers have consistently told us they want from their healthcare experience,” said Dr. Lisa Tseng, CEO of Optum Urgent Care. “To ensure each patient can get the care and treatment they need – on their schedule – we’ve created a more complete, accessible and comfortable health care clinic experience in North Texas.”

For each patient, the clinic staff delivers a specialized, personalized care plan, complete with follow-up measures. If specialty care is needed, the Optum Urgent Care medical team will refer patients to high-quality care providers in their health plan’s networks.

Optum Urgent Care accepts commercial health insurance plans and Medicare. Prompt-pay, easy-to-understand pricing is offered for patients without insurance.

Hours are 7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Mon. - Fri.) and 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Sat. - Sun.). Optum Urgent Care is open 365 days a year. Walk-ins are welcome, and same-day appointments can be scheduled online at www.optumclinic.com or by calling 1-877-456-5506.

Smartphone app, available exclusively to licensed real estate agents, allows for first-ever third-party electronic deposits of earnest checks; engages and connects subscribers to a  network to promote listings and buyers via searchable updates

Licensed real estate agents have a new tool to close deals more quickly and efficiently -- all from their smartphones -- thanks to ZOCCAM, a new, easy-to-use mobile app developed by Park Cities attorney and businesswoman Ashley Cook.

ZOCCAM’s patent-pending process streamlines the handling of earnest money checks via their smartphone app using Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. to securely process checks, as well as connects real estate agents to promote their sellers’ listings and buyers’ needs. The app is available exclusively to licensed Texas real estate agents for a $9.99 monthly subscription or discounted $100 annual fee.

“We are revolutionizing the way real estate transactions are conducted,” said Ashley Cook, CEO and founder of ZOCCAM. “We are improving the agent’s ability to attract and service clients by enabling faster sales cycles. Instead of driving checks to the title company, the agent can spend more time putting deals together. Not only does it minimize their liability, it gives them more time which is something you cannot buy.”

ZOCCAM is launching with two features: ZoccaPay and ZocTalk. Through its ZoccaPay feature, the mobile app is the first in the industry to allow electronic, third-party delivery of earnest money directly into the title company escrow account. The remote deposit technology is the same technology used by banks to allow their customers to deposit money into their personal accounts.

ZoccaPay enables the real estate agent to capture the check with their smartphone or tablet and specify the title company recipient. ZoccaPayutilizes the latest secure remote deposit capture technology to send the earnest money check to the title company. Upon receipt, notifications are sent via email to the parties that the money has been deposited to the designated title company.

ZoccaPay is convenient and more secure for the agents, saving drive time and eliminating the accidental misplacement of checks, providing real-time notifications at every stage and full transparency for all involved parties.

In addition to its industry-first check deposit functionality, the app leverages its network of subscribers through its ZocTalk feature, where members engage to share geographical and ZIP code-searchable listings, pricing updates and other property insights about listings and buyers. Members have the ability to opt in to receive notifications when a listing is added or updated within their desired, specified ZIP code areas.

“ZOCCAM’s two initial features are excellent. I no longer have to drive to a title company to deliver earnest money, and with ZocTalk I can find properties that I would otherwise not know about,” said Pam Dyer, a Dallas real estate agent with Allie Beth Allman & Associates, and one of ZOCCAM’s early adopters. “Agents commonly know a client that is thinking of selling but has not yet listed their home. The ability to locate real estate for my buyer in a matter of minutes is priceless, and ZocTalk will make that connection.”

ZOCCAM was founded by Ashley Cook, a Park Cities real estate attorney who has spent her career representing real estate brokers and title insurance companies. This gave her the insight to recognize that technology could fulfill a need in this vertical industry—specifically money delivery and increasing market liquidity through access of information.

“Throughout my career, I’ve worked with agents and have come to understand their challenges, liabilities and successes,” said Cook. “I recognized a need to link agents together more efficiently, and a need to be able to accomplish more each day. With the advent of online real estate sites, many agents were losing their competitive advantage, and ZOCCAM gives that back to them.”

The first title companies to sign on to process transactions with ZOCCAM include Texas-based Allegiance Title Company, Capital Title of Texas, Providence Title Company, Republic Title Company of Texas, Reunion Title and Texas Premier Title.

ZOCCAM will expand to other markets nationwide throughout 2015.

Reservations are now open for luxury loft-style apartments in the mixed-use development at the crossroads of West Dallas and Oak Cliff, rental rates starting at $875/month

The Lofts at Sylvan | Thirty, the 201 luxury loft-style apartment homes at the soon-to-open mixed-use development located at the crossroads of Oak Cliff and West Dallas, is now accepting reservations for its residences, all of which feature views of either the Dallas skyline or Oak Cliff and Sylvan | Thirty’s park. The first tenants are expected to take occupancy of their homes later this summer.

Rental rates start at $875/month for the urban studios, $925 for the one-bedrooms, $1,475 for the two-bedrooms and $2,725 for the three-bedrooms.

The high-end, modern design for the lofts, developed by award-winning Dallas interior designer Paul Duesing, includes granite countertops, wood style plank flooring, urban concrete, frieze carpet and espresso wood cabinetry with stylish chrome hardware. All homes also feature spacious walk-in closets and private patios or Juliette balconies.

Community amenities available to residents include a plunge pool with sun deck and al fresco grilling station, free wifi in common areas, 24-hour state-of-the-art athletic club, dry cleaning delivery service, full concierge services and a private club lounge with gourmet kitchen.

Additionally, Sylvan | Thirty will feature farm-fresh grocer Cox Farms Market; market, wine bar and cafe Bottega Italia; fitness studios Crossfit Deep and Sync Yoga & Wellness; and Ten, a ramen noodle house by acclaimed chef Teiichi Sakurai; as well as a coffee shop, multiple restaurants and retailers, a bank and other conveniences.

Potential residents may contact Community Director Blake M. Peery at (214) 573-8700  or bpeery@greystar.com for more information or to schedule a tour of the property. The Lofts at Sylvan | Thirty has set up a temporary leasing office, open 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, on the second floor of the Chase Building, immediately across from Sylvan Avenue.

Popular local chef to open Italian- and Napa Valley-inspired eatery, market and coffee and wine bar; anticipated to open in December 2014

Kessler Park couple, Daniele and Christina Puleo have signed a lease to open Bottega Italia, a cafe, market and coffee and wine bar, at Sylvan | Thirty, the mixed-use development at the crossroads of West Dallas and North Oak Cliff. Construction on the 4,400-square foot market, which will also feature a 2,200-square foot patio, will begin in the coming weeks, with an anticipated opening date of December 2014.

Overlooking Sylvan | Thirty’s park, Bottega Italia will offer a full-service Lavazza coffee bar, cafe with handmade pizzas and made-to-order sandwiches and salads, a full deli counter and a market with pastas, olives, olive oils, sea salts, vinegars, sauces, cheeses and charcuterie, as well as grab-and-go options like handmade pastas and specialty prepared foods. It will also feature more than 350 wine labels and multiple locally-crafted beers on tap to enjoy on the patio and the lawn.

“Fresh, homemade, simple and artisan quality are all words that we hope that come to mind when our customers think of Bottega Italia,” said Daniele Puleo, owner and head chef of Bottega Italia. “Our concept is centered around being authentic and versatile. Our customers will be able to swing by to grab a coffee and croissant on the way to work, enjoy dinner on the patio with their families, meet friends for a glass of wine and even pick up a fully-prepared meal to serve at home.”

Bottega Italia was inspired by specialty markets commonly found throughout Napa Valley and Sicily, where Puleo was born and raised.

“We want Bottega Italia to be a fun place for our neighbors in Oak Cliff and West Dallas to shop, eat, drink and be happy. We plan to host wine and cheese tastings on the weekends, as well as a robust schedule of cooking classes and demonstrations,” added Puleo.

Daniele Puleo is a thirty year veteran of the restaurant industry and former owner of Dallas hotspot, Daniele Osteria, which he owned and operated for six years with much success. Puleo currently resides in Kessler Park, just blocks away from Sylvan | Thirty, with his wife Christina. The couple also own and operate Inzo Italian Kitchen, a popular restaurant with locations in Fort Worth and Roanoke.

“The addition of Bottega Italia continues to round out our vision of creating Sylvan | Thirty as a space where local business owners, like the Puleos, set up shop to sell their artisan crafts to their neighbors,” said Brent Jackson, Sylvan | Thirty’s developer.

Interior designer Ron Guest has been enlisted to develop Bottega Italia’s interior spaces. Guest has previously designed well-known neighborhood eateries such as Taverna, Toulouse, Neo Pizza Napoletana and Sangria.

Dallas-based children’s designer, Smocked Auctions, to introduce Southern Living’s first licensed clothing line

Smocked Auctions, a Dallas-based online designer and retailer of children’s clothing will design and distribute Southern Living’s first licensed clothing line. Together, the two brands will debut six collections of Southern-inspired apparel for children ages three months to six years old.

“When we started talking with Southern Living about collaborating on a clothing line, we knew that it was the perfect fit. So many aspects of the Southern lifestyle and what Southern Living represents are aligned with our own philosophy,” said Amy Laws, co-founder of Smocked Auctions. “Our inspiration for the collection will draw from the best of life in the South - beach vacations, family weddings, small town parades and holiday gatherings - quintessential Southern experiences that signify the lifestyle already celebrated and enjoyed by Southern Living consumers.”

Southern Living has long been an authority on Southern style and elegance. Editor in chief Sid Evans adds, “At Southern Living, we love to feature products and ideas that spring out of the South. When Amy and Nicole approached us about working together, we were very excited to partner with a business that has such a dynamic combination of creativity, entrepreneurship and a pride of place.”

The partnership will debut with The Monogram Collection, a premier collection of dresses, jon jons, bubbles and short sets for both boys and girls, each smocked with a one-initial monogram in one of Southern Living’s beautiful trademarked fonts. Five additional collections will be released.

“The Monogram Collection is perfect for family portraits, beach pictures and dressing your kids in their Sunday best,” said Nicole Brewer, co-founder of Smocked Auctions. “We look forward to working with Southern Living on these upcoming collections, and we hope the Southern Living and Smocked Auctions’ customers will love the new line as much as we do.”

The Southern Living by Smocked Auctions Collection is available for purchase on Smocked Auction's website.