Newest articles and comments on The Sacramento Press written by Natalie Paulsen

Justice for Doris

2010-06-02T19:53:24Z

The last time I saw Eric Volz, I was 11 years old. We were fifth graders at Green Oaks Fundamental Elementary School. I don’t remember much about the fifth grade, but I remember Eric. I remember the friendly but fiercely independent look in his eyes. I remember thinking there was more to him than recess and ringlets. I remember wanting to wear his jacket (because that’s what you did back then). I wanted to be as effortlessly stylish as Eric’s mother, Maggie. And I wanted a rock star dad, like Jan.

My stomach hurt the day we heard Eric’s family was moving to Nashville. My heart broke on his last day of school. I didn’t want him to leave. I was convinced I would never see my friend again.

Fast-forward 20 years…

Eric was an author, and he was going to be in Sacramento to promote his recently published book. He invited his friends in the area, via Facebook, to join him at one of his events.

I sent Eric a message on Facebook. I honestly didn’t think he would have the time to reconnect but figured it couldn’t hurt to ask. He responded almost immediately. He asked for my phone number and a few minutes later, he called. I actually had my phone in my hand when it rang. I didn’t recognize the number but I knew it was Eric. I just stared at the phone. I was suddenly speechless.

By sunrise, I worked up the nerve to call him back.

A few hours later, Eric Volz and I were eating lunch at Mulvaney’s.

We had a lot of catching up to do.

I sped through stories of college and marriage. I told him I owned a home, adopted a few animals and spent most of my time tending to my career. Eric chuckled when I told him I worked in marketing and public relations. I guess he wasn’t surprised to hear that. Eric still had curly locks. He was cultured and extremely intelligent. My gut instinct told me Eric didn’t smile nearly as often or as easily as he did when he was a kid. When he smiled at me, I genuinely believed he was happy. He didn’t strike me as the kind of person that would pretend to enjoy his lunch or his company. His sincerity was refreshing.

The small talk didn’t last long.

I wanted to hear about Eric’s book and I wanted to talk about the morning I saw him on The Today Show.

I was eating Honey Nut Cheerios when Meredith Vieira introduced an NBC news exclusive about a young American who was fighting for his life and his freedom in Nicaragua, where he had been framed and imprisoned for a murder he did not commit. The young American was Eric Volz and the woman murdered was his ex-girlfriend, Doris Jimenez.

It was impossible to process.

I often wondered about Eric. But I never considered the possibility that someone like Anderson Cooper would bring him back into my life.

I read endless articles, I kept up with his clips, I frequented his website, and I broke down when I watched a video of his mom trying to wrap her arms around a guilty verdict.

Eric’s book, Gringo Nightmare, chronicles his arrest, trial, conviction and subsequent imprisonment in the Republic of Nicaragua. His story is important on so many levels. But Eric’s story isn’t mine to tell.

Eric spent a little over a year in prison. He was released on December 21, 2007. He left prison with 48 journals. He has referred to his pen as his lifeline, as his only link to the outside world. Eric wrote to cope with becoming a convenient scapegoat and eventually, a political prisoner. Eric wrote to maintain sanity in an insane world where he disinfected his wounds with limes and human rights were lower on the totem pole than Marlboro cigarettes. Eric’s writing was a barely there bandage that held fast to his soul while he was being used as a bargaining chip in a weapons negotiation between Nicaragua and the United States. Eric’s writing distracted Eric from the fact that he was sick, starving, and being deprived of clean air and the light of day.

I’ve heard Eric’s story a hundred times. I’ve had the opportunity to ask him questions about his case. I’ve listened to him speak to small groups about his experience and took notes while he answered their inquiries. I watched the E! Network’s special about Eric being locked up overseas.

I bought the book anyway.

I bought the book because this isn’t the first time we’ve heard of an injustice like this. And it won’t be the last. I bought the book because I feel compelled to read Eric's story, the way he wrote it. I believe Eric's writing had something to do with his survival. I also believe Eric's writing is a valiant effort to seek justice for Doris…a dear friend and stunning young woman who senselessly lost her life (and whose murderers are still free).

Information about Eric Volz and his case can be found on his website friendsofericvolz.com.

You can also browse photo galleries and check out Eric's book online at gringonightmare.com.

Take A Bow

2009-11-22T03:23:32Z

As an event planner, it’s hard not to consider venues in terms of their capacity and cost. And, when you are well acquainted with an event space, you can’t help but take its amenities for granted.

For example, I know how cold it is when you arrive at the Memorial Auditorium (as early as the Convention Center staff). I can point out all of the electrical outlets and I know what your feet feel like after you’ve spent hours scurrying across the concrete floors.

That being said…I feel like I owe my old friend, the Memorial, an apology.

While it may not be state-of-the-art, the Memorial Auditorium has a mystique that is missing from most contemporary venues. Last night, Natalie Cole and the Memorial Auditorium were simply…unforgettable.

Volunteers greeted event sponsors at an exclusive pre-concert reception. Prior to taking their dinner seats, they were treated to live entertainment, wine and appetizers provided by the Paragary Restaurant Group. Hope Productions, a Sacramento-based non-profit, pulled this elite group of guests together for Hope in Harmony, a benefit concert featuring Louie Anderson and headlined by Natalie Cole.

I spent a few minutes backstage with Kitty O’Neal and Louie Anderson before the show. Kitty raved about Louie to the crowd before she introduced him. Meanwhile, Louie tried to remember if they had ever met. He was sure they had done a radio show together. I reminded Louie of her name, he meowed (literally) and took the stage saying Kitty in a way that only Louie Anderson could.

Louie’s set focused largely on butter, a substance with which he admittedly has a lot of experience. And, like butter, Louie had mass appeal. The crowd laughed as soon as he started talking and they didn’t stop until he thanked them all for coming.

In between acts, I tried to imagine growing up with the legendary Nat “King” Cole. For the first time, I realized I was about to see an icon.

I was stunned when Natalie finally graced the stage. She was breathtaking.

It only took one look around the room to see that everyone adored her. Her melodies truly moved the crowd.

When I got home, I did a little research on Natalie’s past. I still can’t believe she is almost 60 years old. And, you would have never known she was recovering from a recent kidney transplant. She looked remarkable in her black and white gown. She was in the best shape of her life.

The Hope Productions staff should take a bow.

From the red carpet crowd to Natalie’s rendition of ‘Walkin’ My Baby Back Home’, the event felt flawless.

Proceeds from Hope in Harmony will benefit several local youth charities including KidsFirst, Roberts Family Development Center and Special Olympics of Northern California.

Hope Productions provides fundraising & marketing resources at no charge to strengthen nonprofit organizations and benefit local children & youth programs. They do this through developing sustainable, large-scale and profitable community events that can be easily supported through a variety of partnerships. For more information about this organization, visit hopeproductions.org.

Don't Believe the Hype

2009-11-06T07:54:31Z

I'll be the first to admit it. I was drawn to Spring Awakening for all the wrong reasons.

I was disappointed, but I won't fault anyone but myself for that.

And, as much as I'd like to blame the marketing for this musical, I can't. I knew Rachel Berry was not going to grace the stage. I knew better than to think the practically perfect cast of Glee would surprise me in Sacramento with their best Duncan Shiek. Regardless, I approached Spring Awakening with a complete lack of common sense.

I can honestly say I had no idea what my Spring Awakening experience would be like. Regrettably, I did very little research on the plot or protagonists. The only thing I knew was that "everyone" was doing it.

While Spring Awakening deserves high marks for originality, for a gawk-worthy garage band and an impressive set, I can't help but think eight Tony Awards? Really? For what? For the storyline I could not grasp? For the lack of anything connecting us to a provincial German town except the Quaker clothing?

For the characters who were underdeveloped? For the choreography that I've been mocking all morning? Or, for the dramatic and disjointed musical numbers that had virtually no effect or lasting impact on me?

Obviously, there is an audience for Spring Awakening. Ticket-holders who'd returned to their seats after intermission applauded enthusiastically at the end. I, on the other hand, was looking forward to going home.

I was not offended or unnerved by the content. For me, it just didn't add up.

That being said, I have to give credit to the cast. They were believable. The angst and nudity on stage was "real." Apparently I prefer "fake." I don't want to relive everything awkward about adolescence. I've already done that. Once was enough.

The bottom line? Don't believe the hype.

Spring Awakening is showing through Nov. 15 at the Community Center Theatre, 1301 L Street. Tickets are available at the Community Center Theatre Box Office, by calling 916-557-1999 or online at www.californiamusicaltheatre.com. For more information, visit www.SpringAwakening.com.