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So just what exactly happened when the screen turned black at the end of “The Sopranos”? Maybe local musician Christopher J. Vincent knows. He just turned writer, with a new book, Paying Respects to the Sopranos: A Psychosocial Analysis, that offers an in-depth look at symbolism, Tony’s psychological problems and the final episode of the series.

Former Milwaukee County Exec Tom Ament, infamous for the pension scandal for which he still denies responsibility, is a lot thinner these days. Ament was diagnosed with diabetes not long after retiring, and says he tries to go walking every day. “I’ve lost weight,” he says. “I feel younger than when I left office.”

Could life get any better for William Shatner? At age 77, the “Star Trek” alum is doing lots of TV, writes a dorky blog, and released an album called Has Been. The album became the basis for a Milwaukee Ballet piece staged this season and captured in the documentary William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet, slated for release this month.

Struggling to find something to watch on TV? Well, flip over to the Discovery Channel for “Smash Lab,” where Whitefish Bay resident Nick Blair and fellow engineers put everyday technology to the test. “ ‘Smash Lab’ is a visual feast of fireballs, explosions, crashes, collapses, collisions and impacts,” declares the show’s Web site.

Lots of local musicians are making names for themselves. Local band Altered Five, fronted by West Allis Middle School principal Jeff Taylor, recently signed a record deal with Minneapolis’ Cold Wind Records. Maurice Wininsky, a local composer and bassist for the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, won a Midwest Regional Emmy late last year for best music composition for The Making of Milwaukee documentary. Meanwhile, the song “Roots,” by local musician Carlton “CT” Thompson,landed a spot on the soundtrack of the Martin Lawrence film Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins. Finally, Asher Gray (who performs as Diamonds) and Richard Galling (Kelly Green), known collectively as the DJ duo The Glamour, were recently named one of the “Next 100” by URB magazine. “The Glamour is Milwaukee’s answer to a hipster prayer,” wrote the magazine. See for yourself most weekend nights at Moct.

Democratic insiders are predicting the state Assembly will flip this fall, meaning Republicans would lose control of the body. GOP savants demur. Less in dispute is that state Rep. Fred Kessler (D-Milwaukee) is working overtime, recruiting and raising money for fresh Democratic candidates to run for open seats. Kessler could have designs on the job of Democratic Minority Leader Jim Kreuser (D-Kenosha), who has announced plans to run for Kenosha County executive.

Those married cheeseheads, Martin Hintz and Pam Percy, have authored a new cookbook, Wisconsin Cheese: A Cookbook and Guide to the Cheeses of Wisconsin. The 272-page book boasts more than 100 recipes, cheese trivia and profiles of cheesemakers. The two are also the covert gossip columnists Boris and Doris (gasp, the secret is out) for the Shepherd Express.

Milwaukee may have gained more service from new Police Chief Ed Flynn thanks to Mitt Romney’s failure. The two New Englanders are tight. When Romney was governor of Massachusetts, he made Flynn his secretary of public safety. Romney may have asked Flynn to join him in D.C. had his presidential bid succeeded.

No biz like showbiz for four Marquette University alums. Nick D’Agosto, a 2002 grad, landed a recurring role on the NBC drama “Heroes.” Monica West (class of 2001) is taking the stage by storm as Baby in Toronto’s production of Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage. Dancing his way to fame is Andy Herro (2003), who’s touring the country with modern dance company Pilobolus. And Beth Hollywood (2002), whose name forecast her fate, snagged a job as the assistant to 20th Century Fox’s senior vice president of feature casting.

Celebrity Sightings

Bar Louie had the pleasure of serving Milwaukee native Melinda Stolp, a cast member from MTV’s “The Real World: Austin,” while Carnevor hosted actress and director Penny Marshall, as well as Eric Smith (assistant to NBA veteran Sam Cassell) before the Feb. 11 Bucks vs. Clippers game. The popular steak house also hosted Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James and Damon Jones when the Cavs played here in February. Meanwhile, over at Karl Ratzsch’s, true home run king Hank Aaron and his entourage feasted on broiled salmon, chicken schnitzel and Black Forest veal.

Flashback 25 years
In May 1983, Milwaukee Magazine profiled an 18-year-old escape artist who received national attention when he was arrested before his attempt to escape a handcuffed and shackled plunge into Lake Michigan on a bitter November day. Of course, the joke was on the Milwaukee police when the boy escaped from their handcuffs five times. Today, at 43, Wauwatosa native Tom Solomon continues his passion for twisting out of various boxes, locks and handcuffs in New York City. He is slated to star in his own television show, “No Jail Can Hold Me,” on the History Channel.