Swine flu. Economic depression. Global warming. Terrorism and crime. End of humanity! News media (television, radio, newspapers, internet) have been very successful in scaring most people about a lot of things, the latest being swine flu.

Influenza porcina. Depresión económica. Calentamiento global. Jitomates envenenados. Terrorismo y crimen. ¡El fin del mundo! Los medios de comunicación (televisión, radio, periódico, internet) han tenido un gran éxito al sembrar el miedo en la mayoría de la gente con respecto a muchas cosas, la última de éstas es la influenza porcina.

On April 1, 2010, less than a year from now, the whole population of the country will be measured. Whether you are a citizen, an immigrant, legal, illegal, homeless or an international student, if you are in the United States at that time, you will be counted.

The Bay Area’s largest Cinco de Mayo festival, held in Oakland, has been cancelled for this year though there are many other options for food, drink and entertainment. With Cinco falling on a Tuesday, there will be a lot happening between the 1st and 5th. Here is your guide for Cinco de Mayo celebrations in the East Bay.