Almost everyone in San Diego knows about the historic Balboa Park Carousel. Families love to take kids to ride it, especially during the holidays. 

But do you know who operates it? That job has belonged to Bill Brown for the last 46 years. 

"I've worked at the carousel since 1972," said Brown on Friday in Balboa Park. "I started when I was 16. I used to ride it as a kid." 

The carousel was built in 1910 and has been in Balboa Park since 1922. The animals on it are hand-crafted originals. There is also hand-painted murals and military band music that is over a century old. 

Brown is responsible for maintance, and operation of the machine. He has re-painted historic animals when they fade. He also solves any mechanical problems the motor has. 

"This is the original motor and clutch from 1910," added Brown. "We still use the timing device from a hundred years ago, which is a small hour glass with sand." 

The carousel is also one of the fastest in the United States. Most go seven miles per hour on average, the Balboa Park carousel goes 13 mph. 

"This is a busy ride and I'll stand and just keep an eye on things," said Brown. "You never know what kids are going to do!" 

Brown said he does not have plans to retire because he has too much fun at his job. 

The carousel costs $3 per rider and is open 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and school holidays. 

Behind the faces of San Diegans you see on your way to work, in the grocery store or at the beach are inspiring stories of faith, determination, selflessness and hope. NBC 7's Monica Dean has been highlighting stories just like these all year for her Inspiring San Diego series. Here are some of her favorites.

Tristaca McCray is a dynamic woman and a self-described nerd. Six years ago, the Chula Vista go-getter created a non-profit called Nerds Rule Inc. Her non-profit offers seminars, workshops and awareness campaigns for school children and community groups that tackle tough topics like self-confidence, bullying, suicide, sustainability, mental health awareness and domestic violence prevention.

It's at first hard to understand how a Scripps Ranch father and husband can call his ALS diagnosis a blessing. Michael Howell had a faith transformation shortly after his diagnosis. When he found faith, he found a desire to serve others. He connected with the San Diego based organization Build a Miracle and started a children's feeding program in El Florido, a neighborhood in Tijuana, Mexico. When he met a boy in the program who was in need, he decided to change his life.

When you see David Fangerow with his kindergarten friends, his winning smile -- not his physical challenges -- will be the first thing that catches your eye. He was born without feet or a right hand, but that doesn't stop him from inspiring his kindergarten classmates and teachers at Morning Creek Elementary School in Sabre Springs.

On any given Thursday night at the Mad House Comedy Club in downtown San Diego, standup comedian Brian Apprille takes the stage and makes people laugh. A bout with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome paralyzed half of his face, killed his confidence, and sent him into a dark place. What helped him get back on stage was finding humor in his own challenges, and now when he's not telling jokes about himself, he's using comedy to inspire others like him while also creating awareness.

The student a cappella group Chamber Bravura has performed at the Vatican and Carnage Hall multiple times, they’ve won competitions and have been featured performers around the globe. The group's ringleader Katherine Girvin, who drives two hours each way every week to rehearse with students from all over the county. Why does she do it? Because it allows her to "Bring something back to the community and the students and to change their lives with music."

Mexico, the Congo and Vietnam are just a few of the native countries of the teenagers who make up a local running club that’s opened a new track to success for dozens of teens in one of San Diego’s most diverse neighborhoods. Many of the club’s runners are still learning English and speak different native languages. But founding coach Chris Brewster said City Heights Runners is bridging those gaps while changing lives, improving grades and breaking barriers to success for his diverse team.

South Bay teacher Janelle McCammack knows how powerful the gift of knowledge can be, so she's helping survivors of sex trafficking heal by giving them an opportunity to learn, an opportunity she says was stolen from them. McCammack combines her experience as a legal advocate and her expertise as an educator to serve the women at Generate Hope. Generate Hope is a non-profit organization that helps human trafficking survivors rebuild their lives.

Every Tuesday night, at a small warehouse in Oceanside, volunteers with Got Your Back San Diego show up to fill backpacks with food. Every Friday the backpacks are handed out to children at local schools in Vista, Oceanside, and Carlsbad who otherwise might not have food for the weekend. Bill McLeod, one of the non-profit's founders, started the pantry because he knows first-hand what it's like to be hungry.

Melissa Huk is a grandmother and a businesswoman with a big heart, so when she heard how the Small family was suffering she knew in her heart she had to do something to help. Bryan Small’s wife, Christina, was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2008. After a long battle with the disease, she passed away in January of 2016. Nineteen months later, Bryan was diagnosed with stage three brain cancer. With all that had happened, and Bryan's two kids juggling school and multiple jobs, Huk embarked on a mission to help this family at all costs.

Brent and Virginia Fremmerlid have a huge heart for kids and a passion to help families in crisis. The Vista couple has five children of their own but they consistently open their hearts and home to care for other kids in need through a program called Safe Families for Children.

You don’t have to wait long to witness a miracle at the Challenge Center in La Mesa. The non-profit is changing lives one step at a time by helping people regain their mobility and independence at a cost they can afford. NBC 7's Monica Dean got to know Challenge Center Patient Breezy Perkins, who until three years ago hadn't walked in a decade. Now, not only is she walking, she's learning to drive is in school studying to be a special education teacher.

For more inspiring stories not included in this list, just search "Inspiring San Diego."

To help make sure you stay informed on the most shared and talked about stories in San Diego County, each Saturday we'll revisit five stories from the previous week and capsulize them in this digest with the most recent updates.

1. Convicted Gunman in 2001 Santana High Shooting Wants Life Sentence Commuted

Charles Andy Williams was 15 when he opened fire on the campus of Santana High School on March 45, 2001, killing two people and wounding 13 others. Now, 17 years later, Williams is asking the governor to commute his sentence. NBC 7 's Danny Freeman spoke with survivors of the shooting and got their feelings about the news.

2. Caregiver to Spend 15 Years in Prison for Deadly Push of Elderly Woman

Margaret Wood was visiting a friend at her Oceanside home when her friend's caregiver pushed her through a screen door in April 2016. The 94-year-old Wood died from her injuries weeks later. NBC 7's Audra Stafford reports on the sentencing of the caregiver this week who was labeled a "bully," not a caregiver, by the judge. 

3. San Diego Couple Fight to Both Be Named on Their Baby’s Birth Certificate

NBC 7 Investigates found parental rights are not guaranteed in the state of California for same-sex couples that aren’t married. The story, published earlier this week, has been getting a lot of attention because many had no idea the law was set up this way.

4. What to Know: California's New DMV Laws for 2019

With the start of the new year, the California Department of Motor Vehicles announced a few changes due to laws going into effect as of Jan. 1, 2019. one of the new laws involves adding the choice of "no binary" to gender options on driver licenses. 

5. San Diego Zoo's Diabetic Koala Dies

A koala that was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes earlier this year and touched the hearts of countless people, died this week the zoo said. Quincy made news when he was fitted with a glucose monitor over the summer. After that he became a mascot of sorts for many people living with diabetes, especially children, according to zoo officials.

A Florida high school student-turned-activist who survived one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history is headed to Harvard.

David Hogg, who took a year off after graduating Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in June 2018, said on Twitter Saturday that he'll "be attending Harvard in the fall with a planned major in Political Science."

Since the Feb. 14 massacre at Stoneman Douglas that left 14 students and three faculty members dead, Hogg has been one of the most visible activists in the gun control movement and the March for Our Lives campaign launched by him and other classmates.

Hogg and other survivors have been vocal advocates for gun reform, making countless media appearances and grilling lawmakers during town halls. Their efforts sparked massive walkouts and peaceful protests at schools across the country and also drew international attention. Hogg and other students were in South Africa in November and were awarded the International Children's Peace Prize for their work with March for Our Lives.

The group organized a demonstration in Washington in March, with hundreds of thousands of people filling the streets of the nation's capital. Satellite demonstrations were also held across the country on the same day.

March for Our Lives then hit the road over the summer, visiting 80 communities in 24 states to help register young voters and spread its message against gun violence.

Hogg has made several visits to Massachusetts as part of his efforts. In August, he attended the kick-off for the March for Our Lives 50 Miles More walk against gun violence. In September, Hogg, along with other youth activists, made an appearance at Harvard to talk about engaging young voters. Hogg also returned to Boston in October for a public discussion about civic activism and gun control at Boston Public Library.

Hogg co-authored a book, "#NeverAgain: A New Generation Draws the Line," with his younger sister Lauren. The book offers an inside look at the early days of the grassroots effort that made Hogg and other Parkland shooting survivors household names. Hogg writes that the March for Our Lives group came "together to try to heal the world and found out that was the best way to heal."

A man riding an electric scooter early Saturday in Chula Vista was struck by a driver and killed in the crash, police confirmed.

Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) Sgt. Joe Picone said officers received several 911 calls just before 4 a.m. reporting a pedestrian struck by a car along Third Avenue near Quintard Street.

Officers arrived at a gruesome scene: the victim had been riding an electric Bird scooter and was bloodied and unconscious, lying on the street near a Jack-in-the-Box restaurant.

The Bird scooter was in pieces – a wheel and handlebars strewn across the street. The black car involved in the crash had pulled over on the side of the road, its hood crumpled and front windshield shattered.

Picone said the driver stayed at the scene and was understandably shaken.

“He’s very upset; very emotional,” the sergeant said.

Picone said the driver had the green light and told police the man riding the electric scooter had “come out of nowhere.” Investigators said the driver was not intoxicated or speeding. The sergeant called the crash a tragedy.

“It just looks like a very unfortunate accident,” Picone lamented.

CVPD officers gave the victim CPR at the scene and were able to temporarily get his pulse back. The man was rushed to a hospital but he did not survive his injuries. His name has not yet been released.

Picone said accidents like this serve as a reminder to take extra caution if you’re riding an electric scooter – especially when it’s dark outside.

“When you’re out here, at night, riding on electric scooters or bikes, helmets, lights, following the rules of the road, prevent a lot of these kinds of accidents,” he said.

He stressed this warning to the public: “Please, if you’re out on scooters or bikes, please be careful – especially at night. Have lights, helmets; follow the rules of the road, please.”

Picone said the scene of this crash was particularly graphic, and the responding officers were jarred. They went back to the police station following the crash to calm down.

This was the second electric scooter crash reported by police in San Diego County on the same night.

Just before 11 p.m., two people riding tandem on a Bird scooter lost control and crashed along University Avenue in Hillcrest.

A 42-year-old woman suffered a serious head injury in that crash. The second rider was not hurt. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) said the woman was not wearing a helmet and that both of those riders had been drinking prior to the crash.

Over this past year, electric scooters have become a transportation trend in San Diego County, with the electric scooter company, Bird, leading the charge.

On Friday, NBC 7 reported on a San Diego woman who is suing Bird after what she says was a fall due to malfunctioning brakes on a scooter that she rented in downtown San Diego.

Ngoneh Secka said she was riding the electric scooter when, suddenly, she realized the brakes did not work. She took a tumble and suffered a cut to her face, road rash, and injuries to her knee and toe.

Personal injury lawyers in San Diego say they are seeing many of these types of cases related to electric scooters as the scooters gain popularity in the region. NBC 7 reached out to Bird Friday for comment on Secka’s lawsuit but we have not yet heard back from the company.

A man who exchanged gunfire with deputies at his home in Pauma Valley earlier this week has been identified by officials.

Jose Nieto, 28, of Pauma Valley, is accused of firing on three San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDSO) deputies at his home on Adams Drive Thursday night, the sheriff’s department confirmed Saturday.

Nieto is facing three counts of attempted murder. The SDSO said Nieto – who was wounded in the hours-long standoff – is currently in custody, under guard at a local hospital. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the morning of Christmas Eve.

The standoff between Nieto and deputies began around 4 p.m. Thursday after authorities received a 911 call from a man who said he didn’t feel safe inside his home on Adams Drive, just north of Pauma Casino.

SDSO Lt. Dave Schaller said that when deputies arrived at the property, they saw a man – now identified as Nieto – coming to the door with a handgun. Nieto began firing at the deputies, and three deputies returned fire as they retreated, Schaller said.

Deputies surrounded the home and called for backup. For hours, deputies were unsure if anyone else was in the house with the man who had opened fire.

SDSO Lt. Rich Williams said deputies tried to reach out to Nieto but heard nothing back. As the standoff unfolded, they weren’t sure if the suspect was wounded, dead or even still inside the home.

Eventually, deputies entered the house and found Nieto inside with a gunshot wound to his leg. Officials said Nieto is a nurse by profession and had treated the wound himself during the course of the standoff.

Nieto was arrested and taken to a local hospital; he is expected to survive his wounds.

The SDSO said the deputies who exchanged gunfire with Nieto were not injured. Those deputies have not yet been identified by the department.

During the standoff, nearby residents were evacuated and others were told to shelter in place. After Nieto was arrested, residents were allowed back into their homes. Pauma Valley is located about 50 miles northeast of downtown San Diego.

TGI Weekend! It's the final weekend before Christmas and, in America's Finest City, there is no shortage of festive ways to enjoy the season. With twinkling lights aplenty and fun at every corner, here's to hoping you feel that holiday magic. Get up. Get out. Play!

Thursday, Dec. 20

Salvador Dali: The Argillet Collection
11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Meyer Fine Art
Meyer Fine Art, a fine art gallery located at 2400 Kettner Blvd., Suite 104, has extended its presentation of “Salvador Dali: The Argillet Collection,” through Dec. 29. The exhibition is free to the public. The gallery partnered with Madame Christine Argillet, daughter of Dali’s legendary publisher and confidante, Pierre Argillet, to present the artwork and sculptures, which are available for purchase.

North Park Thursday Market
3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., North Park Way & Granada Avenue (North Park)
Shop local produce at this year-round farmers market located on the corner of North Park Way and 29th Street. Farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, sauces, bread and even handcrafted gifts will be available for purchase from local small businesses. The free festival also features live music and is surrounded by gourmet dining options in the heart of North Park.

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Viejas Outlet Center Ice Rink
Times vary, Viejas Casino and Resort
Hit the ice skating rink at Viejas Casino & Resort – one of the largest rinks of its kind in sunny Southern California. A $16 ticket for adults or $14 ticket for kids (12 and under) gets you 90 minutes on the ice, or you can buy a season pass if you plan to visit several times this season. The rink is typically open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the week and 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekends. Check the schedule here before you go. 

Family-Friendly Christmas Nights
5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa
Rides on the “Holly Trolley,” the roasting of s’mores and letters to Santa are a few of the festive activities going down at “Family-Friendly Christmas Nights” at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa. The event has plenty for adults to enjoy too, including warming up with spiked hot chocolate flights. It's free and open to the public; the last round is this Thursday.

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Oceanside Sunset Market
5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Main Street Oceanside (Canceled due to rain)
As if anyone needed another excuse to head to the beach for a sunset over the Pacific Ocean, the Main Street Oceanside business association is giving you one anyway. The Oceanside Sunset Market is taking over four city blocks of the downtown area so that about 200 local merchants can feature homemade crafts and tasty grub as live music wafts through the sea breeze-driven air. The free market is located on Pier View Way between Pacific Coast Highway and the Ocean every Thursday.

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Downtown at Sundown
5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Museum of Contemporary Arts San Diego (Downtown’s Jacobs Building)
On the third Thursday of every month, the Museum of Contemporary Arts San Diego (MCASD) hosts “Downtown at Sundown,” where visitors can enjoy free evening admission, exhibition tours, music from a DJ, free entry at the SDSU Downtown Gallery and drink specials at the adjacent Stone Brewing Company Store. This month’s event features MCASD’s Teen Advisory Group inviting the public to come to the museum to create care packages for homeless youth in the community.

All-Levels Acro-Yoga Workshop
6 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Trilogy Sanctuary in La Jolla
Trilogy Sanctuary in La Jolla hosts this all-levels “acro-yoga” session focusing on foundational skills to help yogis build toward a fun acro-yoga flow. No partner is necessary for this event; participants are invited to wear holiday costumes to the Dec. 20 session for a chance to win a prize. Tickets are $30 at the door.

Friday, Dec. 21

Jungle Bells
9 a.m. to 8 p.m., San Diego Zoo
Each year during the holiday season, the San Diego Zoo transforms into a wild wonderland of twinkling lights, festive food and seasonal entertainment dubbed “Jungle Bells.” This year’s festive fun runs through Jan. 6 and includes daily performances from Jingle Brass, a jazzy caroling group (on the Front Street Stage) and The Tinseltones, a holiday harmonizing bunch (Africa Rocks Stage). Visitors can also enjoy the Celebration of Lights show every half-hour, from 4:55 p.m. to 7:55 p.m., on Front Street and “Dr. Zoolittle’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” a zany retelling of the classic poem (at Koalafornia Boardwalk). All Jungle Bells activities are included with paid admission into the zoo. Daily zoo hours are extended for this event until 8 p.m.

Rady Children’s Ice Rink
10 a.m to 10 p.m., Liberty Station
Grab your skates and take a spin on the ice while supporting a good cause this holiday season. NBC 7 and Telemundo 20 are partnering with Rady Children’s Hospital for this festive ice rink in the heart of Liberty Station. All proceeds benefit the hospital’s Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The Rady Children’s Ice Rink is open every day from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Jan. 6 at Liberty Station, except Christmas Day. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for children. Discounts are available for military personnel.

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Dr. Seuss's ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’
5 p.m., The Old Globe
The Grinch can't stop Christmas from coming this year but he can bring his shenanigans to The Old Globe. For the 21st year, the theater in Balboa Park is showcasing "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" the classic musical with catchy tunes like, "You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," and "Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze)." See the show on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage with tickets starting at $54.

Garden of Lights
5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., San Diego Botanic Garden
After the sun goes down, more than 125,000 sparkling lights will illuminate the San Diego Botanic Garden, turning the grounds into a festive, winter wonderland. The Garden of Lights celebration is included with admission into the Botanic Garden, which costs $25 for adults, $10 for seniors and active duty military, and $5 for kids ages 3 to 17.

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ICC Festa de Natale 2018
6 p.m. to 8 p.m., House of Pacific Relations: Hall of Nations
The Italian Cultural Center San Diego (ICC) hosts this celebration of “Natale” – or Christmas – at the Hall of Nations in Balboa Park. Non-members can get in for $10, and that can be applied toward an annual membership with the ICC. The event will feature live music, prizes and Italian food. Visitors can also enter a raffle for a few bucks with prizes that include a 1-hour Italian conversation with one of the ICC’s teachers. Buonissimo!

Salsa Under the Stars
6 p.m. to 9 p.m., The Headquarters at Seaport
Hit the courtyard at The Headquarters at Seaport for this salsa dancing session under the stars. Manny Cepeda and his orchestra will provide the toe-tapping tunes; no partner or experience necessary to join this fun, free event.

San Diego Gulls vs. Ontario Reign
7 p.m., Valley View Casino Center
The San Diego Gulls take on the Ontario Reign at this Friday night home game. Tickets start at $25; the puck drops at 7 p.m.

California Ballet Company Presents: ‘The Nutcracker’
7 p.m., San Diego Civic Theatre
California Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker” leaps onto the stage at the San Diego Civic Theatre this weekend, with a 7 p.m. performance Friday night. Music Director John Stubbs leads the cast of more than 150 dancers as Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score comes to life in this holiday tradition. Tickets in the theater’s orchestra section start at $26.50. California Ballet Company also performs on Dec. 19, Dec. 20, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23. Check the website for showtimes.

Noel Noel: A City Lights Presentation
8 p.m., Copley Symphony Hall
The San Diego Symphony performs its annual “Noel Noel” holiday concert boasting the powerhouse vocal talents of Broadway star Bryonha Marie Parham, led by conductor Sameer Patel. The San Diego Master Chorale and San Diego Children’s Choir will also fill the hall with festive songs including “Silent Night” and “Sleigh Ride.” Tickets range from $28 balcony seats to $72 main front center seats. “Noel Noel” returns to the stage Saturday, too, with performances at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

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Saturday, Dec. 22

Seas ‘N’ Greetings
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Birch Aquarium
Santa is a man of many talents: he can also scuba dive! Birch Aquarium celebrates the holiday season and the jolly guy in red with its annual “Seas ‘N’ Greetings” event, running now through Dec. 31. This event features a host of seasonal activities, including the “Scuba Santa Kelp Forest Dive Show” in the aquarium’s biggest tank. It’s a magical sight for the little ones: Santa – sporting his red suit on top of scuba gear and a microphone – dives into the tank and gives viewers a lesson on sea life through the glass. This Saturday, Santa dives from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and again from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Seas ‘N’ Greetings also includes live music at the aquarium on the weekends. All seasonal activities are included in the price of admission: $19.50 for adults and $15 for kids ages 3 to 17 (kids under 2 get in free).

Del Barrio Market: Noche Buena
10 a.m., Barrio Logan Flea Market
The Barrio Logan Flea Market (2146 Logan Ave.) presents this “Noche Buena” holiday-themed edition of the market, where patrons can find unique gifts for everyone on their list – from handmade goods and jewelry to art and textiles. The event is free; bring money to buy goodies. 

Three Decades in the Rearview
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., San Diego Automotive Museum (Balboa Park)
Over the past 30 years, the San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park has exhibited cars and motorcycles from across the globe. This retrospective exhibit, “Three Decades in the Rearview,” showcases a variety of unique vehicles that encapsulate the automotive culture including race cars, hot rods, low-riders and more. The anniversary exhibit runs through Jan. 26, 2019, and is included with the purchase of a general admission ticket, which costs $10 for adults and $4 for kids age 15 and under.

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Dazzling Holiday Lights Around San Diego County
5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Locations Vary
In the mood to gaze at beautiful holiday light displays? In San Diego County, there are plenty of neighborhoods that go all out for the season, putting up elaborate, twinkling displays for all to enjoy. From East County to the South Bay, this guide will help you find some of those festive pockets of lights around town. Most displays power up around 5 p.m. and power down around 10 p.m. nightly.

Holiday by the Bay
5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Hilton San Diego Bayfront
New this year, the Hilton Bayfront has opened a holiday adventure park along San Diego Bay, up and running through Jan. 5, 2019. Holiday by the Bay features reimagined traditions -- like a two-story ice tubing slide, “iceberg” bumper cars and a dynamic light show centered around a Christmas tree, to name a few. For adults, festive cocktails will be doled out at the Yule Lodge cocktail bar. Tickets start at $20 for adults or $15 for kids under 12. Some activities cost extra. 

Ugly Sweater Holiday Cruise
6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Pier 2 on North Harbor Drive
Put on that ugly Christmas sweater and hop aboard the Hornblower for this holiday-themed Happy Hour party on the water. The Hornblower will serve cocktails and light appetizers during this cool cruise around San Diego Bay. Tickets cost $40 per person (includes one boarding holiday cocktail); boarding begins at 6 p.m. at Pier 2, located at 970 North Harbor Dr.

Bobby Lee
7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., The American Comedy Co.
Funnyman Bobby Lee – of Comedy Central stand-up specials and “MadTV” – takes the stage at The American Comedy Co. this weekend, performing two shows Saturday night (and on Thursday and Friday). It’s a homecoming of sorts for the comedian; he worked in restaurants and coffee shops in San Diego before breaking into showbiz, and also briefly attended Palomar College. Lee launched his amateur stand-up career at the La Jolla Comedy Store and was soon offered opening gigs for big-name comics like Pauly Shore and Carlos Mencia. Tickets to this 21+ event cost $22.

Sunday, Dec. 23

Guided Nature Walk
9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Mission Trails Regional ParkStart your Sunday with a little nature walk at Mission Trails Regional Park. A trail guide will take visitors through one of three trails -- the Oak Grove Loop, the Visitor Center Loop or the Riverside Grinding Rocks -- while talking about the plants, animals, geology, history, and ecology of the park. These weekly guided walks are free and open to the public and begin at the Visitor Center. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, a hat and sunscreen. Rain cancels the walk.

Gaslamp Artisan Market
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gaslamp Quarter (Fifth Avenue)
Still have some holiday shopping left to do? Peruse more than 30 local artisans offering carefully-curated, handmade products at this weekly outdoor market in the Gaslamp Quarter. The Gaslamp Artisan Market sets up shop every Sunday on Fifth Avenue, between Market Street and Island Avenue.

Holidays at Legoland
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Legoland California Resort
Legoland California Resort is decked out in festive décor now through Dec. 31 as the theme park celebrates the holiday season. One highlight: an impressive 30-foot-tall Christmas tree made of Lego bricks and outfitted with twinkling Lego ornaments, which comes to life with light and music each night. Guests will be able to meet their favorite Lego characters dressed in seasonal attire – plus Santa Claus himself – and enjoy live entertainment throughout the park, including a new holiday light show. The park will also be dishing out exclusive seasonal treats, like peppermint shakes and Nutella and peppermint crepes, to name a few. The holiday bells and whistles are included with regular paid admission into Legoland, which starts at $75 for ages 3 and up.

Skating by the Sea
Times Vary, Hotel Del Coronado
There are few places in the world where you can glide on an ice rink just feet from the ocean. The Hotel Del Coronado offers just that at their annual Skating by the Sea event. Through Jan. 1, 2019, guests can take a spin on this beachside rink and enjoy sweeping views of the San Diego Bay with the purchase of a $35 ticket. Times vary by day so be sure to check the schedule here before you go.

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Live Music: Modern Day Moonshine
1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Liberty Public Market
Local band Modern Day Moonshine takes the stage at the patio at Liberty Public Market on Sunday, playing this free show. Grab a bite from one of the marketplace vendors, sit outside with your food and enjoy the live music.

Christmas Under the Stars
5 p.m., Allied Gardens Park
The Grove Church hosts this family-friendly event at Allied Gardens Park on Greenbrier Avenue, which will include a one-hour candlelight service, traditional Christmas carols, treats and family photos. The Grinch may also make an appearance. The event is free.

Free or Cheap Things to Do in San Diego
Times and locations vary
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Looking to save some cash, but still enjoy the city? In San Diego, there are still plenty of activities to enjoy for free or on the cheap. Go for a hike at Torrey Pines State Park or Cowles Mountain, stroll Balboa Park, try a new craft brewery, admire the murals of Chicano Park or read a book at a downtown park. Get out there and explore America’s Finest City.

Do you love the weekend in San Diego? Are you looking for things to do? Join our Facebook group, Your San Diego Weekend. We're sharing weekend events, things to do with the whole family, weather, the newest restaurant openings and more! Click here. 

As 2018 comes to an end, Eater San Diego has been scouting out the tastiest New Year’s Eve festivities happening around town. Eater shares its New Year’s Eve guide, plus other top stories of the week from San Diego’s food and drink scene.

Top Parties and Dinners for New Year's Eve
From prix-fixe dinners at acclaimed restaurants to cocktail-centric parties at fresh new bars, Eater has a guide to 18 of the best places in town to dine before the ball drops – or where to have a champagne toast on New Year's Eve. Cheers!

Italian Trattoria Brings More Pasta to Point Loma
Cesarina began as a pop-up vendor at local farmers markets but, now, the business is making a leap to a brick-and-mortar location in Point Loma. The all-day eatery will feature European-style breakfast and rustic Italian dishes highlighting fresh pasta, handmade daily in an open kitchen. The trattoria is scheduled to open in February.

Beer Garden and Restaurant Coming to Coastal Del Mar
The top floor of Del Mar Plaza will be home to a new 5,600-square-foot ocean view restaurant and beer garden from local hospitality group, Social Syndicate (Wonderland Ocean Pub, The Rabbit Hole). The eatery – unnamed at this point – is slated to debut by the end of 2019. 

Japanese Eatery Replacing Café Chloe in the East Village
Beloved French bistro Café Chloe, which shuttered over the summer, will be replaced by a Japanese steak concept from the owner of Tajima Ramen and Little Italy's Cloak & Petal. The East Village eatery is still in development but is planned to open by summer 2019.

Longtime Point Loma Chicken Joint Expands to Hillcrest
Natural Style Chicken – a fixture of Point Loma for the past four decades – has launched a new location on University Avenue in Hillcrest. Featuring a modern and updated design, the eatery is serving the same menu of signature dishes including rotisserie chicken, chicken teriyaki, and beef ribs. New offerings include chicken wings, beer, and wine. 

It is a busy time of year at the post office but mixed in with all of those holiday gifts being sent around the nation are packages containing controlled substances – many of which land in the hands of postal inspectors in San Diego.

NBC 7 obtained search warrants detailing this cat-and-mouse criminal activity.

According to these documents – part of the latest search warrant request from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – drugs like Xanax, Ritalin, and even Ecstasy are being mailed off in packages, with San Diego serving as the middle ground between Mexico and cities across America.

You might think it’s like a needle in a haystack – finding suspicious packages in the mix of all this mail – but postal inspectors are trained to look for specific characteristics in packages suspected of being used in smuggling rings.

First, the parcels typically are mailed through overnight delivery services, narrowing the criteria. Everything from the size, shape, and hand-written addresses provide clues to the possibility of controlled substances inside. 

As a hotspot for smuggling rings, San Diego is one of the country's most important cities for interdiction programs with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Some parcels recently seized by inspectors in San Diego included fictitious names not associated with the return address; the people who live at these actual homes in Oceanside, Carlsbad, and Poway may not even know their address was randomly used.

As for the address on the receiving end, the name associated with it is almost always fake, too. Often, the intended recipient doesn't even live at the address.

Although most of these couriers use outside blue bins to avoid detection, last year inspectors identified a woman sending Ritalin and Xanax at post offices in the South Bay.

So, while it’s a busy time of the year at the post office, it’s just another day at the office for postal inspectors who deal with this type of work year-round.

Authorities have identified a man shot by an undercover deputy after he used a baseball bat to strike that deputy’s car in Fallbrook Friday morning.

Jesus Cirilo Rodriguez, 30, was arrested near Reche and Ranger roads. He is suspected in a series of disturbing crimes involving unprovoked attacks on drivers in parked cars – just like the assault that landed him in an altercation with an undercover deputy early Friday morning.

Rodriguez is facing two counts of assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon. He is set to be arraigned the day after Christmas.

According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department (SDSO), deputies in Fallbrook had recently been investigating three assaults in the area of Reche and Ranger roads, north of State Route 76 and less than two miles north of Pala Mesa Resort.

The first incident happened on the evening of Dec. 19; two more followed on the night of Dec. 20, just two hours apart from one another.

The SDSO said each assault was similar in nature: the male suspect – armed with a baseball bat – attacked victims in parked cars, smashing the windows of the vehicles before the victims fled to escape the assailant. Each attack appeared to be random, Lt. Rich Williams said.

In the first attack, the victim was able to drive away and report the incident to deputies. The victims of the second attack were not hurt. In the third attack, the driver was injured and taken to the hospital, the SDSO said.

Early Friday, deputies decided to stake out the area where the crimes had occurred. A deputy was sitting in an unmarked car, looking for the man behind the baseball bat attacks, when Rodriguez struck for the fourth time.

While the deputy monitored the area, Rodriguez walked up to the deputy’s car and smashed the window. As broken glass rained down on the deputy, the SDSO said he defended himself by shooting at the suspect.

Rodriguez suffered several wounds in the deputy-involved shooting. He was taken to a local hospital where he underwent surgery and is expected to survive, the SDSO said.

The deputy involved in the shooting suffered a laceration to his forehead. His name was not immediately released by the department.

The incident prompted a deputy-involved shooting investigation that stretched into Friday morning. At the scene, a baseball bat could be seen on the ground within the police tape perimeter.

Investigators said Friday the suspect was possibly a transient who lived out of his car near the intersection where the attacks occurred. Inmate booking records show Rodriguez will turn 31 on Sunday.

Two people were wounded in a shooting in Mid-City on Saturday evening, police said.

The shooting started shortly after 6 p.m. at Aztec Liquor, 5225 El Cajon Blvd, according to the San Diego Police Department.

Two victims were struck by gunfire but the extents of their injuries were unclear at this time, Officer Robert Heims said.

The motive for the shooting was unknown at this time.

Police are looking for a man with dreadlocks wearing a dark sweatshirt.

This is a developing story. Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available.

A man was robbed at gunpoint Saturday night at a trolley station in Lemon Grove, a sheriff's deputy said.

The robbery happened around 9:45 p.m. at the Massachusetts Avenue Trolley Station, San Diego sheriff's Lt. David Buether said.

The suspect pointed a silver handgun at the man and demanded his jewelry, the lieutenant said. 

The suspect, described as a man in his 30s, then fled with the victim's jewelry. A description of the suspect was not available at this time.

This is a developing story. Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available.

Regular Racing, a motorsports racing team in Carlsbad, are known for their competitive spirits on the track.

"We have a great community," Noah Ostanik, the team’s owner said. "Sometimes we're known as road warriors those types of things."

But these tough guys also have not-so-tough hearts and they are getting into the holiday spirits. They are rallying together to gather toys for those in need.

Ostanik said aside from winning races they also value giving back.

"In reality, this community is instilled with people with big hearts,” he told NBC 7. 

That's why he said they decided to spread some holiday cheer.

The group organized a toy drive for the families and children who lost everything in the recent California wildfires.

The toys were dropped off Saturday afternoon at the Encinitas Fire Station. The group was working in partnership with the Encinitas Fire Department, which will be delivering the truckload of gifts to families in Paradise and Malibu.

"After the fires and all the misfortune, and the time of year, we really wanted to give back those who don't have as much," Ostanik said.

It's wasn't just the Regulators but several other Baja race teams in the area also joined in.

"We have multiple other race teams here too all coming together to help stick together,” said Leeanne Ericson, who came out to support the cause,

Local families will also benefit from the drive. The toys will also be distributed to local organizations, such as Toys for Tots.  

For the competitors in the sport, the gesture is just a small way they hope to make a difference.

Several North Texas Breweries debuted a new beer this week as part of a nationwide effort to raise money for the thousands of families displaced in Northern California’s devastating Camp Fire.

Sierra Nevada partnered with 1,400 breweries around the country to roll out a “Resilience IPA.” 100% of the sales will go to the Sierra Nevada Camp Fire Relief Fund.

Several North Texas breweries are among them including Steam Theory Brewing in Trinity Groves.

“The craft beer industry is really generous, and we’re always looking for ways to give back,” said Steam Theory co-owner Chuck Homola.

When his brew master, who happens to be from California, found out about the request, it took only three or four days to get the process started.

Friday they debuted the brew, which they hope to sell all seven barrels of.

“It’s great that all around they’re showing that support and that here in Dallas somehow we can do our part even just by showing up and having a beverage here. It’s giving back,” said customer Charlie Vann.

If the beer sells out all over the country, Sierra Nevada hopes to raise more than $15 million for direct Camp Fire relief.

For a link of participating breweries, click here.

NBC 7's Greg Bledsoe looks back at some of the most memorable stories from Your Corner in 2018.

Cutting-edge DNA technology and tireless detective work led to major breaks in a few San Diego cold cases this year. Here’s a look back at the unsolved cases that captivated us, and how they changed in 2018.

Case: Elizabeth Sullivan
Former Navy Service Member Arrested for Wife’s Murder
On Jan. 31, former U.S. Navy service member Matthew Sullivan, then 32, was arrested in Wyoming, Delaware, suspected in the 2014 cold case killing of his wife, Elizabeth Sullivan. Elizabeth’s body was found floating in the San Diego Bay on Oct. 6, 2016, after she had been missing for two years.

San Diego Police Department (SDPD) Lt. Mike Holden said the department had been committed to solving Elizabeth’s case since it began in October 2014. He was confident that Matthew’s arrest was the key to the answers detectives had long been seeking.

“We have the right person,” Holden told NBC 7.

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Matthew was extradited to San Diego and booked into jail on Feb. 9. He is being held on $2 million bail. At his arraignment on Feb. 14, prosecutors alleged Matthew used a knife to kill his wife and said that knife was discovered by investigators in the home the couple shared in San Diego’s Liberty Station area. The home also held other clues, including suspicious flooding under the carpet.

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said Elizabeth’s body was found in the San Diego Bay on the same day that Matthew was packing up his belongings and moving out of California. Stephan said investigators believe Elizabeth’s body was “hidden somewhere” before it was disposed of in the bay.

“We’re determined to bring justice for the victim, her family and loved ones,” Stephan said at a news conference in February. “Over three years have passed, but she hasn’t been forgotten.”

According to police reports obtained by NBC 7, there was a history of domestic violence in the couple’s marriage and they had been arguing over custody of their two young daughters and child support.

Matthew has pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 14, 2019.

Case: Richard Finney
Arrest in 1986 Escondido Homicide Tied to New Technology
In 1986, Richard Finney, 75, was stabbed 31 times in his apartment on East Mission Avenue in Escondido. A bloody handprint left on a wall became key evidence in the case but even after using state-of-the-art DNA testing to examine the print in 2007, the Escondido Police Department’s cold case team could not link the blood to anyone specific.

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In 2016, a forensic fingerprint expert used newer equipment and advanced technology to re-examine fingerprints collected from Finney’s apartment. Finally, detectives got a match, zeroing in on Nathan Eugene Mathis, 62, of Ontario, California, as their suspect.

This past April, Mathis was arrested and booked into jail on one count of first-degree murder for the cold case killing of Finney. Mathis is being held on $3 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 7, 2019.

Escondido detectives who worked on this case kept in touch with Finney’s family over the decades, including the victim’s grandchildren. Mathis’ arrest brought relief to the victim’s loved ones. Details of the motive behind the murder have not yet been released.

Case: Golden State Killer
Man Accused in Serial Killings Lived in San Diego
DNA and genealogical technology led investigators to arrest Joseph James DeAngelo this past spring, a man suspected of being the notorious “Golden State Killer.” 

DeAngelo – a former police officer and U.S. Navy service member – is accused of terrorizing California between 1975 and 1986, committing at least a dozen murders, nearly 50 rapes and dozens of burglaries across the state.

Following his arrest, NBC 7 learned DeAngelo was stationed in San Diego for several months as part of his service with the U.S. Navy. He graduated from basic training at the Naval Training Center in San Diego from October to December 1964.

Across the state, DeAngelo’s victims voiced relief over his arrest as his brutal crimes had haunted them for decades. The suspect faces 26 counts in six counties across California, 13 for murder and 13 tied to rapes. His trial could cost taxpayers more than $20 million.

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Case: Grace Hayden
Single Fingerprint Leads Detectives to 1987 Slaying Suspect
On May 20, 1987, Grace Hayden, 79, was sexually assaulted and strangled to death at her Normal Heights-area home. The case grew cold and stayed that way for 30 years.

In May 2017, San Diego detective Tony Johnson was reviewing the decades-long cold case when he decided to run a piece of evidence across the database again: a single fingerprint from someone’s left ring finger discovered on the stove inside the victim’s home.

The fingerprint had never yielded a positive match before but, this time, things were different.

The fingerprint was matched to Kevin Thomas Ford, now 62, whose prints were in a police database in Robeson County, North Carolina, for a 2015 arrest for communicating threats. Ford was arrested at his home in St. Pauls, North Carolina, this past July on suspicion of killing Hayden.

He was extradited to San Diego and booked into jail on July 28. He is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 9, 2019.

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Case: Willie Clark Jr.
Man’s Killer Sentenced 12 Years After Crime
Willie Clark Jr. was shot and killed outside a bar on Hollister Street in south San Diego on April 3, 2006. For 10 years, his killing was unsolved. 

In May 2016, his suspected killer – Guillermo Gonzalez Nunez – was arrested in Mexico. In August of this year, Nunez, now 44, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. This past October, he was sentenced to 18 years behind bars for Clark’s killing.

In 2016, NBC 7 spoke with Clark’s family, including his son, Julius, who said not knowing who killed Clark had felt like a one big, hazy, “bad dream.”

“We still hear my dad’s voice – his laugh,” Julius told NBC 7.

Clark’s mother, Mary Lopez, said she considered Nunez “a monster,” saying he stole a huge part of her life when he killed her son.

Case: Jodine Serrin
DNA Technology Identifies Suspect in Woman’s Valentine’s Day 2007 Killing
On Feb. 14, 2007, Carlsbad resident Jodine Serrin, 39, was brutally murdered in her home on Swallow Lane. Unbeknownst to them, Serrin’s parents, Arthur and Lois Serrin, walked into their daughter’s apartment as the crime was in progress, making the details of the case even more chilling.

Serrin’s case grew cold but, in 2017, it finally began to unravel when investigators announced new information on the suspect based on the first use of new forensic technology in San Diego County.

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This past February, investigators with the Carlsbad Police Department (CPD) and San Diego County District Attorney’s Office said they had been using the services of Virginia-based DNA-tech company, Parabon NanoLabs, to narrow down leads.

In November, the CPD announced they found their suspect in Serrin’s slaying: David Mabrito, linked to the case via DNA matching technology ad genealogical experts. Mabrito was a transient and died from suicide in 2011. He was 38 years old at the time Serrin was killed.

Arthur and Lois Serrin never stopped searching for their daughter’s killer and held out hope for answers. Over the years, they fondly remembered their daughter as a woman with a gentle heart who loved helping others.

To help make sure you stay informed, each Sunday we'll revisit five stories from the previous week and capsulize them in this digest with the most recent updates.

Today's collection highlights some of the positive news events that happened this week. 

1. San Diego Minimum Wage Increases on January 1, 2019 

If you're a worker on minimum wage, this was great news. The third and final phase of the minimum wage increase approved in 2016 for businesses within the limits of the city of San Diego takes effect on Jan. 1. The increase will make the minimum wage $12 an hour for certain workers in our region. 

2. 'Thank the Lord I'm OK': Boy Hit by Car While Looking at Holiday Lights Is Released From Hospital

Caleb De Leon, 7, was released from the hospital after he was struck by a car while looking at holiday lights in Ocean Beach. The family and the little boy were grateful he suffered only a broken bone. His father spoke with NBC 7 and told us that while they waited for medical help, he told his son, 'You're amazing, you're a champion, you're going to get through this.'"

3. Chula Vista is 3rd-Safest City in State, Among 40 Safest in US: Report

Chula Vista is the third-safest city in California and 39th-safest in the United States, according to a survey released by WalletHub. The department doesn’t have enough officers to quickly respond to all of its calls, or to follow through with investigations, according to CVPD Capt. Phil Collum. He tells NBC 7 the city is working on easing that burden.

4. Ramona Truck Gets Holiday Treatment, Lights up the Road

It's not unusual to see someone decorate their car or truck like they do their home around Christmas. What's unusual about this truck owner is that he used 2,600 lights to get the job done. The owner, Tony Wilson, talked with NBC 7 about why he goes "all out" for the holidays.

5. Ugly Christmas Sweaters: 2018 Styles

Keeping with the holiday theme, we brought you a look at some of the strangest and "ugliest" sweaters just in time for the holidays. Everything from the "Santa Bod" to the Dinosaur "Front to Back." Haven't bought a sweater yet? Check out these options.

A tsunami that devastated the area around Indonesia's Sunda Strait, leaving at least 222 dead and hundreds more injured, struck fast and without warning on Saturday, NBC News reported.

While most tsunamis have seismic precursors that allow for some form of warning, an unfortunate chain of factors led to Saturday's catastrophic impact, experts say.

The tsunami, which happened between Java and Sumatra islands, was caused by the Anak Krakatau, an active volcano that has been erupting since June.

Two theories have emerged about what caused the eruption: Either an underwater landslide or a spewing of molten lava caused the displacement. Experts say it is more likely that the wave was triggered by a landslide.

Here’s a look at what is going on in San Diego sports for the week of December 24^th-30^th.

GULLS: The Gulls are busy this weekend with a trio of games against division opponents. Thursday they host the Bakersfield Condors at 7 p.m. before hitting to road to play in Bakersfield Saturday and San Jose Sunday.

SOCKERS: The Sockers are at home this week with matches against the Sidekicks Wednesday 5:30 p.m. and Flash Friday 6:35 p.m.

SEALS: The Seals are back on the road this week. They’re in Calgary to face the Roughnecks Friday.

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY AZTECS:

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Saturday vs. Brown 5 p.m. at Viejas Arena.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO TRITONS:

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Saturday vs. Humboldt State 5:30 p.m. at RIMAC Arena.

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Saturday vs. Humboldt State 7:30 p.m. at RIMAC Arena.

UNIVERISTY OF SAN DIEGO TOREROS:

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Saturday at San Francisco 2 p.m.

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Saturday vs. Grand Canyon 7 p.m. at USD.

CAL STATE SAN MARCOS COUGARS:

-WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Saturday at Cal State L.A. 1 p.m.

-MEN’S BASKETBALL: Saturday at Cal State L.A. 3 p.m.

Normal Street in Hillcrest is about to get a $2.2 million makeover that will benefit pedestrians and bikers as the area is transformed into a permanent public gathering space for the uptown community.

SANDAG approved funding for a project dubbed the “Normal Street Promenade” earlier this month. The plan aims to turn the area along Normal Street between University Avenue and Washington Street into a public space that will accommodate the weekly Hillcrest Farmers Market, San Diego Pride Festival and other community events such as movies, concerts, art fairs and street festivals.

The promenade would also include additional parking space realignments on Normal Street, from Lincoln Avenue to Washington Street, to accommodate visitors.

NBC 7 spoke with locals shopping at the Hillcrest Farmers Market on Sunday about the promenade project. Many seemed thrilled by the possibility of the addition to the neighborhood.

“It’d be great to set aside permanently a place for people to gather,” said downtown resident Sarah, “I’m all for it. Do it.”

The promenade will dramatically change the landscape of the west side of Normal Street in Hillcrest, between University Avenue and Washington Street. Added bike lanes, parking and walkways are all part of the initial proposal.

“It’d be perfect, this is the perfect city for it,” said downtown resident Allan Goldman.

The City of San Diego and SANDAG will work with the community to begin holding a series of workshops with Uptown Planners to develop a final concept. The Uptown Community Parking District and Hillcrest Business Association will also lend support to the project.

Community outreach will begin in early 2019; construction is expected to start in 2020.