• AT&T Tower 301 is demolishing interior space on nine floors, although no tenant has been identified on the City building permit for the work.
• First lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to attend a reception 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Osborn Center. Her visit is a fundraiser for the Obama Victory Fund 2012. Contributions begin at $500 a person for general admission, while $10,000 is the cost per couple on the host committee. For information, visit www.duvaldemocrats.org.
• Marlene Spalten, vice president and executive director of Baptist Health Foundation, earned the “Fellow in AHP” medallion from the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy. Spalten oversees fundraising for Baptist Health, a system of five hospitals including Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. She has more than 20 years of fund development experience in both education and health care. She was formerly associate head of school/advancement and planning at The Bolles School.
• Julie Watson joined Clockwork Marketing Services as editorial coordinator/writer. She will write news releases, feature stories, calendar updates and creative copy for Clockwork clients. She also manages editorial relationships and opportunities, and the daily administration of Clockwork Marketing’s blog, WhatsUpJacksonville.com.
• The Jacksonville Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates will host its annual Gary Pajcic Professionalism Seminar from 1:30-5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hyatt Downtown. The seminar is free. For more information, contact Diane O’Malley at 260-5122 or [email protected].
• Two WJCT productions have been recognized in the 2011 Suncoast Emmy nominations. Melissa Ross, executive producer of “The 904: Shadow on the Sunshine State,” was nominated in the “Documentary” category. The documentary looks at efforts by law enforcement, social services agencies, church leaders and others to curb the violent crime rate in Jacksonville. Rich Conner, editor of “Ax Handle Saturday – 50 Years Later,” was nominated in the “Editor” category. The Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards will be announced Dec. 3.
• Single-family existing home sales in the Jacksonville area rose 10 percent in September from September 2010, while the median sales price fell 6 percent. The Florida Realtors said sales rose from 1,093 to 1,206 and the price fell from $139,600 to $131,000.
• JAX Chamber Chair-elect Tom Van Berkel is keynote speaker at lunch Tuesday at the JAX Chamber South Council meeting at Carrabba’s, Florida 9A and Baymeadows Road. Van Berkel is chairman, president and CEO of The Main Street America Group. For information, visit www.southcouncil.org.