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I try to be aware of what steps I can take to help ‘the world around me’ as often as I can. I’m not perfect. Nobody is. But what I strive to do is to become better informed and to limit preventable lapses or mistakes.

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CalMatters is a Sacramento-based nonpartisan, nonprofit journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. It works with more than 130 media partners throughout the state that have long, deep relationships with their local audiences, including Embarcadero Media.

Jeremy Walsh is the editorial director of Embarcadero Media Foundation's East Bay Division, including the Pleasanton Weekly, LivermoreVine.com and DanvilleSanRamon.com. He joined the organization in late...