Five Things to Know Today, Jan. 17

Welcome to Tuesday. Here are some things to know today.

The weather: We may get a little bit of rain today -- there's a 60 percent chance. The high will be about 62. The low tonight will be around 43, and we may get some thunderstorms, the National Weather Service says.

Gas prices are holding steady in Lilburn. Prices for a gallon of regular reported to www.georgiagasprices.com in the past 24 hours ranged from $3.26 (at Kroger, 3050 Five Forks Trickum Road near Oak Road) to $3.45 (at Texaco, 4785 Lawrenceville Hwy at Indian Trail Lilburn Road).

Bye bye, Ike. A general who became U.S. president, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s words packed the punch of experience when he told Americans in a farewell speech to be alert for the dangers of a “military-industrial complex” that could concentrate too much power and money in its hands. It was on this day in 1961 that the president, popularly known as Ike, went on TV in a live address a few days before handing over the Oval Office to John F. Kennedy. Eisenhower, a World War II hero, said among other things: “Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.”

Happy birthday… Benjamin Franklin. Founding father, printer, inventor, ambassador, he’s easily one of the favorite and most colorful characters from the cast of the American Revolution. One way he’s best remembered is as the author of smart one-liners that continue to be taught and read today (“Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety”). Franklin was born in Boston on Jan. 17, 1706, and lived to the ripe age of 84.

Check your batteries. Pump up your bike tires, adjust the brakes and make sure the lamps are ready for nighttime fun. The Gwinnett County Parks are hosting a mountain bike ride after dark for riders from beginners to experienced on Thursday at 6 p.m., for ages 15 and up. It’ll be at Tribble Mill Park in Lawrenceville. You have to pre-register, but it’s easy. Just call 770-418-2331.