These are ongoing activities in the Southbridge and surrounding areas:

- Calling all Volunteers! The Dale City Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary is looking for volunteers to join our organization.  The DCVFD Aux was established in 1967.  Its sole purpose
is to support the fire department and the community.  The DCVFD Aux hosts the following fund raisers throughout the year:  bazaars, bingo concessions, caterings and an annual spaghetti dinner.  The Auxiliary membership is open to anyone over 18 who enjoys working with the community.  You do not need to be a spouse of a fire department member.  We meet the 1st Wednesday of every month at the Hillendale Fire Hall at 7:30 p.m.  For more info please call Doris (703) 583-4966 or Lori (703) 221-5879.

- A playground ground is forming in the Carriage crossing area.  Any mothers that are interested, please call April Knauss at (703) 221-3581.  

- FARMERS' MARKET, the season begins for local farmers selling their produce; sponsored by the Prince William County Park Authority. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sundays, rain or shine. VDOT Commuter Lot at Center Plaza, Dale Boulevard, Dale City. 703-670-7115, Ext. 223.

- ONCE UPON A THURSDAY -- 10:30 a.m. Thursdays. Children can drop in for stories, songs and finger plays. Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge. Free. 703-494-8126 or 703-494-8129 (TDD).

- FRIDAY FLICKS -- 10:30 a.m. Friday. "Fables and Fairy Tales," for children 3-7. Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Dr., Prince William. Free. 703-792-4800.

- EARTH RHYTHMS -- 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends, through May 6. See contemporary monotypes by Arlington artist Jean Barnes Downs and stoneware by David Cowdrill of Great Falls. Downs uses paints to create hand-pulled prints full of repeated patterns suggesting geology, weather and astronomical events. Cowdrill's vases, bowls and other works are glazed in brown, gray and cream. He uses a potter's wheel to achieve smooth, rounded edges and adds carved patterns and impressions from natural items such as shells. Artists' Undertaking Gallery, 309 Mill St., Occoquan. Free. 703-494-0584.

- TOTALLY TERRIFIC THURSDAYS -- 3 p.m. Thursdays. Children 6-12 can enjoy a craft, film, performer or reading club program. Potomac Community Library, 2201 Opitz Blvd., Woodbridge. Free, but tickets required. 703-494-8126 or 703-494-8129 (TDD).

- THURSDAY THRILLS CRAFT PROGRAM -- 7 p.m. Thursdays. Make a lion and lamb mobile. Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Dr., Prince William. Free, but tickets are required. 703-792-4800 or 703-792-4876 (TTY).

- MARINE TOURS -- 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Take a self-guided tour through 1920s hangars and relive a century of the Marine Corps air ground team's activity. Marine Corps Air Ground Museum, 2014 Anderson Ave., Quantico. Free. 703-784-2606.

- BUG BOX -- 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. This insect zoo displays up to 35 live species at any given time. There are hundreds of specimens (dead bugs) lining the hallways, an exhibit on household pests such as termites and ants, live snakes, lizards and a frog pond. Children get an information packet, an insect ring and a puzzle with admission. Bug Box, 12505 Dillingham Sq., Woodbridge. Adults, free; children 2-14, $2. 703-551-0071.

- SPRING BABIES -- 10 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekends. Old Mine Ranch shows off this year's spring babies: ponies, goat kids, lambs, ducklings, chicks, bunnies and even a baby llama. The ranch also offers daily Jack Russell Terrier races, hikes, hayrides, mine tunnel slides, rope swings, pony rides and picnic areas. Old Mine Ranch, 17504 Mine Rd., Dumfries. $5. 703-441-1382.

- URBAN FISHING -- 7:30 a.m.-dusk daily. Fish for bass, bluegill, crappie and catfish. Bring your Virginia freshwater fishing license (people 16 and older). Locust Shade Park, 4701 Locust Shade Dr., Triangle. Free. 703-221-8579.

- PRINCE WILLIAM FOREST PARK -- dawn-dusk daily (park), 8:30-5 p.m. daily (visitor's center). The center's eclectic exhibit features displays on the Civilian Conservation Corps, cemeteries on park property, pyrite mines, bird calls and a "touching table." Videos are available on topics such as beavers and owls. Orienteering and nature hikes can be arranged for groups. Prince William Forest Park, Interstate 95 Exit 150B, Triangle. Free. 703-221-7181.

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