NEW ORLEANS -- All across this recession-weary country Wednesday, Nov. 28, Americans of every rank and station lined up at convenience stores and delis, placed their hard-earned dollars on countertops and took part in a venerated national tradition: trying to get really rich without doing anything.

"You wanna retire tomorrow?" Vijay Patel asked his customers at Lanzilli's Groceria in East Boston, where Powerball tickets were constantly being churned out by the lottery machines. "A lot of action today. Good luck."

At $550 million, the Powerball jackpot Wednesday was the second-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. In March, the Mega Millions prize was $656 million, which was and still is, in the words of Michael Jones, the superintendent of the Illinois Lottery, the "largest lottery prize in the history of the solar system."

Both of these sums are of such a scale that they seem to muddle a person's ability to calculate probabilities. A woman in Denver bought $450 in tickets Tuesday. People in Nevada, which does not participate in Powerball, have been calling the Arizona Last Stop, a bar/restaurant/gas station right across the state line, to ask about sending busloads of ticket buyers from Las Vegas.

On Wednesday alone, Floridians had spent more than $10 million by 2 p.m. on Powerball tickets. So many people have bought tickets nationwide, said David Bishop, a spokesman for the Florida Lottery, that there was a 75 percent chance that one of the 175,223,510

Most of the buyers interviewed across the country Wednesday acknowledged that their chances were not especially good.

A standard practice in news media coverage is to compare lottery odds unfavorably with odds of dying in peculiar ways (shark attack, lightning), but even that morbid exercise does not do justice to the long-shot. The odds of picking the winning numbers in Wednesday's drawing were longer than the odds of picking an American man at random and having him happen to be Alan Alda.

One of the three winning tickets from the $656 million Mega Millions prize was sold at the MotoMart convenience store in Red Bud, Ill., a small town about an hour southeast of St. Louis.

The electronic marquee outside on Wednesday read "Lightning can strike twice!" which is inarguable.

Enough people believed that it could strike twice at this MotoMart that the store doubled its number of working staff members to accommodate the rush.

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Powerball hopefuls make a mad rush to the registers

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) November 29, 2012

With housing prices once again on the rise, many homeowners are looking to add additional value to their homes. One of the most popular and successful ways to do this is through upgrading or remodeling the interior of their home. For most properties, a natural place to begin the process is the kitchen or bathrooms, as they are common areas that can become dated faster than other areas of the house. As such, a major component to this remodel is the installation of new countertops. For those new to this arena, the choice in materials for countertops can potentially be a difficult detail to finalize. Thankfully, Granite Kitchens of AZ (the leading installer of Phoenix granite countertops) has created a new section on their website for homeowners to learn more about the differences between various materials such as granite, marble, engineered stone and travertine. This section can help potential customers learn more about the pros and cons of each material before they install their new countertops.

Upgrading a home can be a major process, especially when the homeowners still live in the property. One minor miscalculation or mistake can cost thousands of dollars and countless man-hours, extending the time that the family is inconvenienced by construction. This is especially true with a kitchen or bathroom, so choosing the right materials from the beginning is of the utmost importance. Many homeowners will find this process confusing, and as such, Granite Kitchens of AZ has attempted to create an easy to review page on their website that outlines the different pluses and minuses for various materials.

Although Granite Kitchens of AZ typically recommends granite for homeowners looking to upgrade their countertops, there are other options that offer different value and aesthetics. Marble, engineered stone, travertine, and onyx all offer unique alternatives to granite, but come with negatives as well as positives. For example, travertine is an extremely durable material that is good for both indoor and outdoor use. Conversely, it is also a highly reactive substance that can be easily damaged by acidic compounds such as oranges and lemons. Granite Kitchens of AZ has aggregated these facts and organized them in an easy to read page that is perfect for anyone who is looking to upgrade their home.

As the housing market rebounds, there is no better time than the present to install upgraded, modern countertops. Once installed, they can add exponential value to the home value, and provide aesthetic upgrades that can make the home more appealing to live in. Choosing the right material is important, and Granite Kitchens of AZ has made understanding the differences between the more popular options a simple process with their new countertop materials comparison section.

About Granite Kitchens of AZ

Created by experts with over 10 years of experience in the granite countertop installation field, Granite Kitchens of AZ provides consumers with a portal to learn more about granite and other slab types as well as schedule free consultations. Serving the Phoenix, AZ metro area, potential customers can visit the site online at GraniteKitchensofAZ.com.

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Granite Kitchens of AZ Adds a Helpful Comparison Section for Homeowners Thinking of Upgrading to Granite Countertops ...

Detached Single Family, Traditional,Ranch/1 Story - Castle Rock,
http://www.tourfactory.com ----- For more information, contact: Duane J Rademacher, 7207330606, Mile High Real Estate Metro Brokers ----- LOOKING FOR A FAST SALE! COME SEE THIS IMMACULATE CUSTOM HOME AND BRING YOUR OFFER! VIEWS OF PIKES PEAK OFF OF THE REAR DECK! TRUE GOURMET KITCHEN WITH A FULL SIZE BUILT IN DOUBLE DOOR STAINLESS STEEL REFRIGERATOR, DOUBLE OVENS, MICROWAVE AND GAS PROFESSIONAL GRADE COOKTOP! HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHT A LARGE PROTION OF THE MAIN LEVEL. A VERY PRIVATE OFICE WITH ITS OWN 1 CAR ATTACHED GARAGE. BASEMENT IS NOT ONLY FINISHED BUT ALSO IS SET UP FOR A SECOND KITCHEN. CABINETS AND COUNTERTOPS ARE IN JUST NEED THE APPLIANCES. THE WALKOUT BASEMENT HAS 3 BEDROOMS THAT ARE EACH PRIVATE IN SEPARATE AREAS AND THERE IS A FIREPLACE IN THE BASEMENT! THE HOME IS FILLED WITH UPGRADES AND BRIGHT NEUTRAL COLORS TO COMPLIMENT ANY DECORATING STYLE! IT HAS A SINGLE CAR GARAGE ON ONE SIDE AND A THREE CAR OVERSIZE GARAGE ON THE OTHER SIDE. THIS HOME IS A PHENOMINAL DEAL IN A FANTASTIC AREA!From:TourFactoryViews:0 0ratingsTime:05:17More inTravel Events

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Detached Single Family, Traditional,Ranch/1 Story - Castle Rock, - Video

Homes for Sale - 2667 S High St, Denver, CO
Property Site: tour.circlepix.com Charming 2 bedroom, 1 bath home only blocks from DU! If you #39;d enjoy previous owners labor of love, you #39;ll appreciate the new kitchen with Carrera tile and butcher block countertops, remodeled bath, newer windows, bright sunroom with river rock flooring, original hardwood flooring, new furnace, new tankless hot water system, heated garage and newer roof. The large park like backyard with hot tub is meant for entertaining. Truly a delight! Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Square Feet: 941 Price: $270000 For more information about this property, please contact Heath Waller at 970-371-4188 or hwaller@thegroupinc.com. See More listings at: http://www.thegroupinc.com MLS ID: 695330 Last modified: 11/27/2012 04:57:01 amFrom:thegroupunder399999Views:0 0ratingsTime:03:38More inEntertainment

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Homes for Sale - 2667 S High St, Denver, CO - Video

Homes for Sale - 905 E CHARLTON S, Salt Lake City, UT
Property Site: tour.circlepix.com Sugarhouse. Across from the elementary school. Awesome floor plan features, spacious rooms, lots of natural light, kitchen has maple cabinets, granite countertops, new dishwasher, great location surrounded by single family homes, legal duplex, easy to rent in this prime location, what a great investment! or live in one and rent the other. FHA ok! Hurry this will not last! Bedrooms: 0 Bathrooms: 0 Square Feet: 0 Price: $239900 For more information about this property, please contact David Warner at 801-785-5013 or realtordw@gmail.com. See More listings at: MLS ID: 1125059 mountainlandrealtyinc.comFrom:mountainlandrealtyViews:0 0ratingsTime:00:43More inEntertainment

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Homes for sale - 295 Patrick Circle, Suwanee, GA
Property Site: tour.remax-georgia.com Authenic 1887 long home that was moved from Virginia and totally remodeled inside. 2 huge stone fireplaces, one in the great room and 1 in the dining room. Kitchen with newer cabinets, granite countertops and white appliances. Rec room and exercise/office over the 2 car carport. Large studio and bedroom on the 2nd floor with separate entrance. On 3 lots with over 2 acres of privacy. Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Square Feet: 1992 Price: $249900 For more information about this property, please contact Doug Morgan at 770-377-0578 or dougsellsthemountains@gmail.com. See More listings at: dougmorgan.remax-georgia.com MLS ID: 5086128 http://www.remax-georgia.com http Last modified: 11/27/2012 05:41:03 amFrom:remaxga200kto250kViews:0 0ratingsTime:00:59More inEntertainment

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Homes for sale - 295 Patrick Circle, Suwanee, GA - Video

House for sale
Beautiful, well maintained craftsmen style home in Woodstock. This home offers an open floor plan with a cozy library, rich hardwoods, a huge basement that is ready to be finished. The kitchen has beautifully stained cabinets, an island, an eating area, stone countertops. This home was recently appraised has 2650 square feet with the finished upstairs bedroom bathroom. The yard is easy to maintain in this friendly active community. The middle high school are within walking distance, downtown Woodstock is just a short drive to the shops, restaurants, fun.From:T3andCOViews:2 0ratingsTime:02:48More inHowto Style

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33128 Arbor Ridge Circle, Lillian, Alabama
This exceptional 3 bedroom 2 bath home in Arbor Ridge Subdivision in Lillian Alabama has cathedral ceilings; computer room/office with french doors; dark hardwood floors; ceramic tile in foyer, kitchen and baths; open living area with corner fireplace; custom cabinets and countertops in the kitchen. Master bedroom has private entrance to the screened porch; bathroom with tub, shower and his and hers walk-in closets. The lot was landscaped by a master gardener.From:Peggy SummervilleViews:3 0ratingsTime:02:36More inTravel Events

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136 Tara Blvd, Loganville, GA - Home for Sale in Loganville, GA - Walton County
IMMACULATE SOUTHERN COLONIAL HOME. 4 SIDES BRICK WITH WELL MANICURED YARD. 4/3.5 WITH BONUS AND FULL FINISHED BASEMENT WITH MEDIA ROOM, BAR AREA, OFFICE AND PLENTY OF STORAGE. HARDWOOD FLOORS THROUGHOUT MAIN AND THOUGHTFUL ATTENTION TO DETAIL. GOURMET KITCHEN FEATURES GRANITE COUNTERTOPS AND BACKSPLASH, PLUS ISLAND. SOUTHERN CHARM ABOUNDS IN THIS HOME AND PRIVATE BACKYARD RETREAT BOASTS OVER 80 AZALEAS! GATED COMMUNITY,SWIM TENNIS, LOGANVILLE SCHOOLS.From:Kasey PrinceViews:0 0ratingsTime:02:38More inHowto Style

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Louisville Real Estate | Julie Beam | KY Select Properties | 2910 Autumn Ct.
Photography and Video by: RealTourCast / Tim Furlong Jr. http://www.realtourcast.com A real estate video tour for Julie Beam with KY Select Properties http Located in Louisville, KY. Click here for listing details: http://www.kyselectproperties.com Completely decked out custom home on quiet cul de sac in Paramont Estates. Stunning first floor master suite looks out on very private back yard with outdoor fireplace and water feature. The kitchen is super functional with high-end cabinetry, granite countertops and Bosch stainless steel appliances. Both the first floor family room and the lower level has abundant space and well-appointed rooms for pool games, work outs, movie nights or just gathering with friends. The second floor has four bedrooms, two baths, a conveniently located laundry and a study loft. So many gorgeous updates!!! RealTourCast Real Estate Video tags Louisville KY real estate homes for sale real estate video slideshow luxury real estate kentucky select properties real estate photography canon 5D Mark III Tilt Shift Lens TS-E 17mm hdr photography realtourcast tim furlong jr.From:RealTourCastViews:0 0ratingsTime:02:42More inPeople Blogs

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Louisville Real Estate | Julie Beam | KY Select Properties | 2910 Autumn Ct. - Video