Today is Manteca Mayor Willie Weatherford’s 72nd birthday.

If you’re inclined to celebrate it with a “gift” you might want to wait until Thursday, Oct. 23, for a retirement roast for his honor who is ending an 18-year stint on the City Council in November including 12 as mayor.

That’s because all of the proceeds will go to Manteca’s Veterans of Foreign Wars post.

Chuck Crutchfield, who is one of the organizers, indicated tickets will go on sale in a week or so. When they do hit the streets and you want to attend you’d better move fast. There is already a waiting list of 125 folks who want to buy tickets. Only 250 will be sold for the event scheduled for the Manteca Senior Center. The tickets will cost $25. You can reach Crutchfield at 823.6352.