Powerball Scams to Avoid | Weekend Read

Each weekend, we share stories driving interest beyond one town:

Lottery Scams Increase as Jackpots Climb

Adriana and her friend had the kind of problem we all dream of, particularly when huge lottery jackpots fill the headlines. Adriana's friend had a winning lottery ticket, but she wasn't in the country legally.

At least, that's how the complicated flimflam began last week. In the end, "Adriana" and her friend bilked a Georgia woman out of $2,800 in cash.

As a country, we're increasingly suspicious of each other. Candy from strangers? No, thanks. A surprise inheritance from Abu Dhabi, via email? Delete. But the opportunity to get a piece of a big lottery prize, or even to assist in someone else's good fortune. That's a scam we'll walk into with the best of intentions.

Lottery scams are among the most popular schemes, according to the Better Business Bureau. And they spike the morning after a big jackpot drawing, like the nearly half-billion Powerball prize Saturday night. >>> Read more.

More:

• Lottery Winner's 'Unwise' Investment: Millions Of Dollars In Meth
• Winning Powerball Numbers Saturday Worth $478 Million
• $1M Powerball Ticket Purchased in Arlington

The Smithsonian Is Hiring a Beer Historian ... Yes, Really

The Smithonian National Museum of American History has a position open for a beer historian ... and it definitely sounds like a pretty awesome job.

Anyone can apply for the position, which comes with $64,650 plus benefits, and you've got a good shot if you have "proven experience" in scholarly research and organizing oral history interviews. It will be part of a "Food History" project at the museum that will involve archival and field research. >>> Read more.

'Escape Room Live' Coming to Georgetown With Ghostbusters, Titanic Themes

If you enjoy being locked in a room and forced to solve puzzles to get out, Escape Room Live in Georgetown may be just the ticket. The entertainment concept company has just signed a lease for a 6,000-plus square foot location.

Ginger Flesher-Sonier of Loudoun County is behind Escape Room Live Georgetown, which will have six rooms with a different movie theme: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, The Mummy, Titanic, Friday the 13th and a sixth room based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe. >>> Read more.

Dave Matthews to Release Recording of 1996 Solo Concert at Sweet Briar College

Once upon a time, before his career really took off, Dave Matthews played an outdoor solo gig at Sweet Briar College in Amherst County. Twenty years later, that performance can be heard in its entirety.

The Dave Matthews Band has announced it's releasing a recording of the show, as well special-edition T-shirts featuring the school's vixen mascot, with all proceeds donated to the tiny all-women's private college that almost permanently closed last year because of financial woes. >>> Read more.