Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's plan to make Madison's 150th anniversary celebration last the entire year is still in full effect, as the list of items to be contained in the celebratory time capsule was recently finalized.

"It's been the mayor's goal … to keep Madisonians talking about their history and what currently defines them at this time and makes them unique," said George Twigg, spokesperson for the mayor.

Twigg also said the solidification of the time capsule, which is to be stored in the Overture Center until 2056, alludes to the eventual celebration of Madison's bicentennial. But Twigg said Cieslewicz also felt the final decision as to whether the bicentennial will be celebrated will rest in the hands of the mayor of 2056.

Of the 160 items proposed to be in this year's time capsule, 105 were selected. The selection process involved not only Madison community members, but also a jury selected by the office of the mayor.

Jury member and former Madison Ald. Warren Onken said he believes the items included in the capsule properly represent Madison and will help to clarify to future generations what the year 2006 was like.

"What we tried to do was pick items that represent Madison in 2006," Onken said. "Not necessarily historical items, but items that truly represented Madisonians at this time."

Some of the items decided on include: the present currency, an Ironman T-shirt and the book "Madison: The Guide."

The items will eventually be stored in the capsule Nov. 15, while the actual sealing of the capsule is scheduled for Nov. 16. Both events are open to the public.

Onken said the sealing of the capsule is an important event and represents a sealing of another page in Madison's history on which the lives of another generation will eventually be written.

"I'd like people to look back and see us Madisonians as at least interesting," Onken said. "There's a lot going on in Madison … and what's special to me is the idea that we're not just one piece of the pie."