Today in Elmhurst: Some Cool Events, Traffic, Weather and Gas Prices

We want to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening today in Elmhurst and what to expect for weather, gas prices and traffic as you go about your workday. 

We also want to let you know about some interesting events worth checking out. If there is something happening that we missed— or something you think we should be covering—let us know in the comments section.

Elmhurst Historical Museum will welcome author and Roosevelt University professor Erik S. Gellman, who will speak on The Fight to Preserve American Democracy: The Forgotten Civil Rights Movement of the 1930s-40s at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at the museum’s Education Center, 120 E. Park.   

Professor Gellman will discuss the interracial movement in the 1930s to beat back fascism—both at home and abroad—to preserve and expand America's democracy. He will focus on the local context of Chicago, including the formation of the National Negro Congress in 1936, the organizing of the area's steel and packinghouse workers, and the artistic Renaissance that took place in the "City of Big Shoulders." Gellman will emphasize how this movement accomplished much during its own time and also left an important legacy for the rest of the 20th century.

Erik Gellman is an associate professor of history at Roosevelt. He earned his Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University, and his research interests include African American and working-class history, social movements, and comparative ethnic and racial studies. He has recently published two books, Death Blow to Jim Crow: The National Negro Congress and the Rise of Militant Civil Rights, and The Gospel of the Working Class: Labor’s Southern Prophets in New Deal America.

This program is presented in conjunction with the new exhibit, “Our Lives, Our Stories: America’s Greatest Generation,” which program participants may view in the Elmhurst Historical Museum gallery prior to the program. Admission to both the museum and the program is free, and no reservations are required. Limited, free on-site parking is available.

Here are a few other local events today:

• 11 a.m.: Zen Parenting Radio—Are we talking to our sons?
• 4 p.m.: LEGO Club at Elmhurst Public Library
• 5 p.m.: Free Children's Choir Program at Faith Evangelical United Methodist Church
• 7 p.m.: Walt Disney World 101 at Elmhurst Public Library

The weather forecast today is calling for mostly sunny skies with a high of 77 degrees—a nice cool-down from the extreme heat we've been dealing with. The low tonight will be around 54. Visit the National Weather Service website for an extended forecast.

The gas station with the cheapest gas prices in the area is not in Elmhurst. If you want to take the short drive to Oakbrook Terrace, Citgo, at 1 E. Roosevelt Road, has gas at $3.44 as of Wednesday night, according to AOL Autos. Check the AOL Autos website for more updates on area gas prices. And if you see a gas price lower than $3.44, let the community know in the comments section. 

For traffic updates, check out the live AOL traffic report above.Visit the AOL website for more updates.