Today we begin a new section on It’s Our City. It’s called the “Collective Wisdom” post. Each day you will find carefully selected links from the blogs and news media on issues relevant to life in the Delaware Valley. I’ll be adding new links throughout the day, so be sure and check back later in the day for new stories. I picked the name collective wisdom from an article I read on James Surowiecki author of “The Wisdom of Crowds.” In the book, he lays out his argument that large groups of people are smarter than an elite few, no matter how brilliant—better at solving problems, fostering innovation, coming to wise decisions, even predicting the future. Although I’m not applying his market driven wisdom in how I choose the links, it is in this spirit of collective thinking that I’m drawing upon to make sure you see what others are thinking and writing about on issues that inform our lives in the Philadelphia region.

Updated: 9:16pm

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* Clout blog: The Philadelphia City Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend a zoning change that would allow the Foxwoods Casino to move into The Gallery Mall in Center City.

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* KYW 1060: Dentists cannot date patients under a new PA regulation. Pennsylvania Dental Association not happy.

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Updated 7:40am

* PolitickerPA blog: John McCain to hold a noon rally today in Harrisburg. What’s clear from the past two weeks, is that McCain is not giving up on PA. Although he has trailed in PA Polls, he’s working to get his base motivated to help offset the Barack Obama strongholds in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It’ll be interesting to watch the polls in the next week to see if the republicans can close the gap in PA.

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* Philadelphia Inquirer: Former Philadelphia City Councilman Dan McElhatton to run for DA. With Lynne M. Abraham retiring, there will be no incumbent in the race for the first time since 1985. McElhatton is likely to face Seth Williams, the former city inspector general.

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* Philadelphia Daily News: Jury selection to continue this morning in Vince Fumo’s trial. Opening statements are likely to begin on Wednesday.

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* Daily Pennsylvanian: Foxwoods casino zoning bill to be reviewed today. The bill by Philadelphia City Councilman Frank DiCicco to rezone a section of The Gallery Mall for commercial entertainment will be considered by the Philadelphia Planning Commission. The meeting begins at 1:00pm at 1515 Arch St.

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