Michael Jackson story comes to Salford

HACK: Monetti talks about Jacko's death

HOLLYWOOD celebrity reporter Sandro Monetti is to give University of Salford’s students an insight into the Michael Jackson death story.

Monetti was the first reporter at Jacko’s mansion for BBC radio and was also at the singer’s memorial service.

He covered the Jackson story for two months and at the same time saw the publication of his first book, ‘Mickey Rourke: Wrestling with Demons’.

Monetti, who is originally from the Greater Manchester area, writes showbusiness journalism for newspapers, TV and radio throughout the world.

He is coming to reveal all to students at Adelphi House on Wednesday 10 February 2009 at 1:00pm.

His masterclass will be in two parts: ‘Jacko, how I covered the story’ and also ‘How to get a book published’.

Monetti said: “I started out on newspapers in the North West and never thought I would end up in LA. The unpredictability of journalism is also the joy of being a reporter.

“I recently hosted the 2009 Women in Film Awards and after publication of the Mickey Rourke biography, I’m working on a book about Michael Jackson. I hope that my experiences will inspire some Salford students to become top scoop getters!”

All are welcome at the masterclass at Adelphi House, ground floor lecture room.

Appeal to trace man attacked in Gorton

MANCHESTER Police are hoping to trace a man who maybe Eastern European and was the victim of a street attack.

At about 3:30pm on Friday 29 January 2010, a group of school children told police they had seen a man being punched and kicked as he lay defenceless on a patch of grass on Abbey Hey Lane, Gorton.

They told officers that the man managed to get up after the assault and one of his attackers then threw a brick at him.

Nobody reported the matter as a crime and it is not known how seriously injured he was.

The man who was assaulted is described as a white man, in his 30s, with a bald head.

Constable Dawn Harrison, of Gorton Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “I’d like to stress that the man is not in any trouble – I simply believe he was the victim of a nasty attack by a group.

“If that man was you, then please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4274 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Chinese officials enjoy New Year in Stocky

STOCKPORT is hoping to impress Chinese officials who are visiting the Greater Manchester town this week.

Local bosses want to develop closer links with the town of Kaifeng by impressing the Chinese delegates by sharing education and business knowledge and a Chinese New Year celebration.

Civic and local government officials from Kaifeng including the mayor, director of Kaifeng Education Bureau, director of Kaifeng Foreign and Overseas Chinese Affairs Department, and deputy director of Kaifeng International Exchanges Service, are on a three day fact-finding tour of Stockport from 11 to 13 February 2009.

It follows a visit to Kaifeng last year by the leader of Stockport Council Dave Goddard, eight teachers from Stockport secondary and primary schools, and the council’s international liaison officer.

Cllr Goddard said: “Last year’s visit to Kaifeng was very successful and although we are not looking at formal twinning at this stage we hope that this week’s visit brings much stronger links and exchanges at a business, cultural and council levels between us and Kaifeng.

“Education links between the eight schools already linked with Kaifeng will definitely continue.”

The Kaifeng delegation will visit Broadstone Hall Primary School in Heaton Chapel, Stockport College, Adswood company ATB Morley, and meet with local businessmen and women and Stockport councillors to discuss business links between the towns.

Broadstone Primary has already developed links with Kaifeng and introduced Chinese culture into the school while ATB Morley produces motors for coal mining drills for China.

The Kaifeng officials will also attend the Proud of Stockport Awards at Stockport Town Hall and end their visit by attending a Chinese New Year Spectacular at the Plaza on 14 February.