Reporter Allison Williams was covering the City Council's retreat yesterday afternoon and called me when Council adjourned into executive session to discuss the legal case with VMS and Landmark Design Group over the failed seawall at

Constant's Wharf.

I went down to the clerk's office to see if could find any big filings in the case. Clerk Randy Carter was out for the day, but Kay Stephenson was very helpful and polite.

She provided me the two, 4-to-5-inch-thick files on the case to review.

There has indeed been a flurry of motions filed over contesting proposed expert witnesses and whether older or pending, unrelated actions against VMS should be admissible in court, but I found little of substance other than a lot of lawyers racking up a lot of hours.

The case is set to be heard Tuesday, Sept. 20. Should be interesting. We'll keep you posted.

If you're looking for something to do this weekend, don't forget about the gospel music festival at Constant's Wharf on Saturday.

The event runs from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Melanie Scoggins, the delightful events coordinator with the Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation, told me several months back that they did some research when planning the concert festival at the wharf and found gospel music was number one among Suffolkians.

At the event Saturday you can hear the well-known Tri City Chorale Group perform twice throughout the festival, as well as many other local gospel groups such as the Rising St. James Male Chorus.

See praise dancers and hear the inspirational words of three dynamic emcees, Lanita Wiggins, Karen Perry and Martha Parker.

Portia's Beads and Gifts and Heaven and Earth will each have a booth.

Heaven and Earth will be giving away a gift certificate.

Chick-Fil-A will be selling food until seven o'clock.

I didn't think to ask, but I doubt there will be beer sales at this one.

Also this weekend, the Eastover-Wilroy Ruritans are hosting a pancake breakfast at their clubhouse from 6:30 a.m. to noon. Eat-in or carry out. The Ruritans are asking just a $5 donation. One of the Ruritans dropped off several tickets at the News-Herald yesterday. I go right by there on Saturdays coming to work, so I plan on stopping by.

Have a nice weekend.