As a graduate of Shorewood High School, I try to keep tabs on other SHS alumni. Hence, I was happy to hear that Shorewood native David Zucker, a director, writer and producer most known for "Airplane," "The Naked Gun" and "Ruthless People," will return to Wisconsin to work for the first time in 40 years.

Zucker will come to Wisconsin on Dec. 15 to shoot a commercial for the Department of Tourism.

"Wisconsin natives have made a significant contribution to our worldwide arts and culture, and under David's deft handling we expect he will also make an indelible contribution to marketing the state for tourism," says tourism secretary Stephanie Klett.

The commercial, which will depict both indoor and outdoor winter fun, will feature the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. It's scheduled to begin airing in Chicago, Minneapolis-St. Paul and Milwaukee the week of Jan. 9, 2012.

"While I haven't had opportunities to work in my home state, I remain a tried-and-true Wisconsin booster," said Zucker. "I hope this is the beginning of working on more projects in the state."

Six years ago, I announced the opening of a new erotic boutique with an emphasis on community health called A Woman's Touch, 200 N. Jefferson St.

Today, sadly, I am reporting that it will close at the end of the year.

Co-owners Ellen Barnard and Dr. Myrtle Wilhite opened the first A Woman's Touch in Madison 10 years prior to opening the Milwaukee shop. According to a staff member, the Milwaukee store sells merchandise online, but doesn't have enough foot traffic to keep the venture profitable. The Madison store will remain open.

A Woman's Touch will not have a going-out-of-business sale, but stop in to say good-bye or pick up a few sassy holiday gifts. I did.

As a mom, I try to limit my swearing and I have managed to drop a few less f-bombs since the little parrots started squawking. Oddly, even more challenging for me has been trying to stop using the word "awesome." In fact, I just tweeted it less than a minute ago. Doh.

I find it a lazy, fall-back word I use to describe too many things. How was your weekend? Awesome. How was the film? Awesome. How was the funeral? Awe-... You get my point.

A while back, I found myself typing the word "amazing" too much, too. The beauty of the written word, however, is that I can go back and delete it. In speech, of course, I can't. So I'm left trying to train myself not to say this exhausted word, even if I think it.

Rarely is anything truly awesome. Even if it were, why can't I choose another uber-positive expressions like "phenomenal" or "sensational?" Can I bring back "the cat's pajamas?" Or how about a variation like, "My weekend was the oyster's ice skates!"

Maybe we just need to invent a new word. Any ideas?

A friend once suggested I wear a rubberband around my wrist and every time I say or think "awesome," I snap it against my wrist. Sounds Pavlovian and a little sadistic. I like it. And yet, I have not done it.

Maybe I am just not ready to give up awesome yet. But if you hear me say "awesomesauce," slap me. Seriously.

This summer, I wrote an article highlighting some of Milwaukee's most diverse bars and restaurants. I have three more to add to the list.

1. Jim's Time Out, 746 N. James Lovell St. According to Tom Sorensen, head bartender at Jim's, this bar is a "workingman's bar." But it's also welcoming to those without a job along with those who wear a suit-and-tie to the office. And no matter what race you are, Sorensen is ready to pour you a shot and play a game of dice with you. Stop in and see. (And look for a featured bartender profile on Sorensen later this week on OnMilwaukee.com).

2. Omega Restaurant, 3473 S. 27th St. The diversity of diners surprised me when I recently ate breakfast here for the first time. The massive restaurant was packed with diners that ranged from Latinos to Indians to African Americans to White girls like me. And the pancakes were really good, too.

3. Thai Bar-B-Q, 3417 W. National Ave. My favorite Thai food restaurant in the city also attracts a mixed crowd. There are almost always a fair share of Asian diners in the place, but recently, I noticed it attracts LGBT families as well. Plus, they have this ongoing 2-for-1 Chang beer special. All the more reason to trek to this charming and delicious restaurant.