Tuesday morning briefing: They want your blood, national honors and a president's fear

Good morning and welcome to the Tuesday briefing.

Give blood

There’s a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Clovis-Carver Public Library.

Anyone donating will be registered to win a Kindle Fire.

Information or to make an appointment: http://www.bloodher.com or 800-333-6920.

High achiever

Bailie Phillips has been awarded special recognition for the 2012 Future Educators of America National Leadership Award.

Bailie is now recognized on the national level as a leader in her community,

school, and church.

She is the first FEA member at Clovis High to be so awarded at the national level.

Kitchen tip

Unflavored dental floss is often better than a knife to cut through soft cheese, rolled dough and cheesecake.

It’s a fact

George Washington was deathly afraid of being buried alive. After he died, he wanted to be laid out for three days just to make sure he was dead.

Today in history

On this day in 1953, Cambridge University scientists James D. Watson and Frances H.C. Crick announce that they have determined the double-helix structure of DNA, the molecule containing human genes.

Here’s the rest of the story:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/watson-and-crick-discover-chemical-structure-of-dna

Weather

Today — A 10 percent chance of showers before 11a.m. Areas of blowing dust after 11a.m. Sunny, with a high near 63. Windy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to between 30 and 35 mph. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph.

Tonight — Clear, with a low around 29. Windy, with a west wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to between 15 and 20 mph. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.