• A diabetes prevention and management seminar will be presented by Dr. Robert Chen, geriatric fellow from CentraState's Family Medicine Residency Program, 3:30-4:30 p.m. July 17 at the Orchards at Bartley, 100 North County Line Road, Jackson. Free admission. Call 732- 730-1700 to reserve a space.

• Blood drives will be conducted by the Central Jersey Blood Center on the Bloodmobile from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 18 at Harley Davidson, 300 Route 70, Lakewood, and from 8:30-12:30 p.m. July 22 at GLI, 600 Airport Road, Lakewood. Details: 732- 842-5750, ext. 238.

• A cut-a-thon to benefit American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 18 at N.V. Salon, 29-52 Route 9 south, Howell. Haircuts will be available for $15 and manicures will cost $6. A donation box will also be on site for items and snacks needed by troops. Monetary contributions (checks made payable to Jackson Postmaster) to offset shipping costs ($12 per box) will also be accepted. Details: 732-901-3737.

• A craft and vendor fair and flea market to benefit Jackson Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Station 55, will be held inside and outside from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 19 at the Larsen Road firehouse, 113 N. New Prospect Road, Jackson. Spaces are still available. Details: 732-370-2180.

• A blood drive will be held at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 20. For appointments call 732-928-4400. Walk-in donors are always welcome. Tip sheets for first-time donors and eligibility guidelines are available at the library. Details: 732-928-4400 or www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

• Author Felicia Pride will speak about the history and foundation of hip-hop at 7 p.m. July 21 at the Lakewood library, 301 Lexington Ave., Lakewood. Details: 732- 363-1435. The program is free and open to all teens. Registration is required and can be done at www.theoceancountylibrary.org or by calling the branch. Pride's latest book, "The Message: 100 Life Lessons from Hiphop's Greatest Songs," discusses the relevance of hip-hop songs in a person's life, including messages about developing a healthy self-image and planning for one's future by considering the impact current decisions will have on one's later life. She is currently an artist-in-residence for Baltimore City Public Schools and serves on the board for the Literary Freedom Project.

• Blood drives will be conducted by the Central Jersey Blood Center on the Bloodmobile from 3-7 p.m. July 24 at Hope Cathedral Church, 46 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, and 5-9 p.m. July 30 at St. Monica's Church, 679 West Veterans Highway, Jackson. Details: 732-842-5750, ext. 238.

• The Disabled American Veterans mobile service office will be at the Harley- Davidson of Ocean County, 300 Route 70, Lakewood, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 1 to provide personal counseling and claim filing assistance for veterans. This event is part of the nationwide Harley's Heroes tour and is free to all veterans and members of their families. Details: 973-297-3378.