(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today applauded the Iowa State Fair Board's decision to maintain its cash payment system for food and drinks.

"I'm pleased the Iowa State Fair Board has listened to fairgoers' concerns and decided to maintain its cash payment system," said Branstad. "When making a decision affecting so many individuals, it's important to find a consensus. This decision will ensure convenience and efficiency for State Fair visitors."

Lt. Gov. Reynolds, who serves on the Board and joined the meeting via conference call, said, "The people of Iowa take great pride in their state fair, so it came as no surprise that Iowans were quick to express their opinion on the decision. I applaud the board's decision today - which reflects the sentiment of a majority of Iowans - giving Iowans the ability to use cash for food and drink concessions."

During limited-time sale, fans may order personalized 2013 Midwest League championship rings

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JAN. 8, 2014) - Fans of the Quad Cities River Bandits can own a piece of history with a commemorative 2013 Midwest League Championship ring in a limited-time sale. Until Feb. 1, fans may purchase rings that match the ones earned by the team's players and staff, and each fan may personalize the championship hardware with his or her last name on the side of the ring.

Fans may order rings by completing an order form at Modern Woodmen Park, calling 563-324-3000 or visiting www.riverbandits.com. Each ring is $295, and all orders must be received and paid by Feb. 1.

"We are thrilled to offer River Bandits fans the opportunity to show their championship pride with rings identical to those earned by the team!" said River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller. "Our fans made Modern Woodmen Park the best place to win and celebrate two Midwest League Championships in the past three seasons, and these special-edition rings will give them a unique keepsake to honor that support."

Pictures of the ring design are available at www.riverbandits.com. On the face of the ring will be "Midwest League Champions" around the border with the colored logo of the Q-C letters with cowboy hat and bandana in the middle of the ring. One side of the ring will have the year - 2013 - and the logo of the River Bandits' major league affiliate, the Houston Astros. The other side will have the raccoon logo from the River Bandits' cap and space for the wearer's last name. Rings are classic design in sterling silver with cubic zirconia, raised name, tooling and a customized wood presentation box.

The River Bandits will open the 2014 Midwest League season at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday, April 3. A full schedule of home and road games for 2014 is available at www.riverbandits.com, and ticket plans for the 2014 season are now on sale.

UP NEXT: Season-ticket holders can still guarantee their same seats for the upcoming season, but time is running short! Ticket-plan holders must renew their plans with a $50 deposit per seat by Jan. 31, in order to keep the same seats as last season. Contact your account representative or call 563-324-3000 today to renew your ticket plan. To order ticket plans - with new lower prices - for next season, call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for this spring, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

*****

MOLINE, Ill. (January 8, 2014) - Quad City Mallards forward Jim McKenzie has joined the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild on a professional tryout agreement, the Mallards announced today.

McKenzie, 29, is tied for the Mallard team lead in goals (11) and points (24) and leads the club in power play goals (4) and penalty minutes (67).  The St. Paul, Minnesota, native serves as an alternate captain and has registered a plus/minus rating of +3 while playing in each of the Mallards' first 28 games.  McKenzie was in the midst of a five-game point-scoring streak (2-4-6) at the time of his call-up.

McKenzie joins defenseman Nicholas Rioux as the second Mallard in three days to sign a P.T.O. with Iowa.  He is the fourth Mallard to be called up this season.  Goaltenders Thomas Heemskerk (Iowa) and Ty Rimmer (Oklahoma City) have also both spent time in the AHL.

McKenzie, who was originally selected by the Ottawa Senators in the fifth round of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft with the one hundred forty-first overall choice, is no stranger to the AHL.  He spent part of each of his first four professional seasons in the league, skating in a total of 67 AHL games and registering four goals and five assists for the Binghampton Senators, Lake Erie Monsters, Worcester Sharks and Peoria Rivermen.  McKenzie last saw AHL action in 2010-11 with Worcester and Peoria.  He spent the 2008-09 season with Binghampton, collecting five points in 44 games.

The 6' 2", 200-pound McKenzie joined the Mallards after helping the Allen Americans to the CHL President's Cup title last spring.  McKenzie arrived in Allen for the stretch run of the regular season after beginning the campaign with the ECHL's Evansville IceMen.  He notched two goals and two assists in 15 regular season games with the Americans before breaking loose for six goals and 13 points in 15 playoff games.  He recorded a goal and five assists in 12 games with the IceMen before heading to the Lone Star State.  Last year's stint was McKenzie's second with Allen.  In 2011-12, he scored twenty goals and totaled 44 points while piling up 168 penalty minutes in 54 games as an American.  The IceMen were McKenzie's fourth ECHL club.  He previously played for the Elmira Jackals, Johnstown Chiefs and Stockton Thunder.

McKenzie turned pro after three seasons at Michigan State, where he scored 34 goals and recorded 76 points in 112 games.  In 2006-07, McKenzie capped off his college career by scoring a dozen goals and producing 30 points in 35 games while helping propel the Spartans to the NCAA title.  McKenzie spent three seasons in the junior ranks with the Green Bay Gamblers and Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League before arriving in East Lansing.

The Mallards return to action on home ice tonight at 7:05 p.m. against the Brampton Beast.  That game is the Mallards' first Winning Wednesday presented by T.G.I. Friday's.  If the Mallards win a Wednesday night home game all in attendance win free tickets for the next Wednesday game.  In addition, $2 beer and hot dogs will be available during Wednesday night tilts.  After each Wednesday night game, fans can join the Mallards for a postgame party at T.G.I. Friday's next to the iWireless Center.

Auction Benefits Genesis Health Services Foundation's Flu-Free QC Program

Free Mallards Youth Replica Jerseys for First 1,000 Fans 12 and Under

Courtesy of Scott County Family Y and Two Rivers YMCA

MOLINE, Ill. (January 7, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards will wear special edition affiliate jerseys when they take on the Arizona Sundogs Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at the i wireless Center and those jerseys will go up for bid in a live auction immediately following the game to benefit the Genesis Health Services Foundation's Flu-Free QC program. 

The Mallards, who are in their first season as an affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, Saturday night will don cream-colored affiliate jerseys bearing "Quad City Mallards" across the chest in Mallard green script and the team's secondary duck logo on the shoulders.

"The money raised at this annual auction is used to provide essential health care services to our neighbors throughout the QCA.  On behalf of that grateful community, I thank the Mallards for their on-going commitment to the health and well-being of their fans and friends," said Ken Croken, vice president of corporate communications and marketing, Genesis Health System.

Last season, the Mallards teamed with Genesis for a pair of jersey auctions that raised better than $46,000 for both the Genesis Flu-Free QC campaign and for Genesis Outpatient Rehabilitation.  Over the past 19 years, Mallards jersey auctions have raised over $700,000 to benefit Genesis Health System Charities.

"The generosity and community-mindedness of Mallards fans is something that has impressed me hugely since I arrived here a year ago," said Mallards president Bob McNamara.  "Their willingness to do so much for a cause like the Genesis Health Services Foundation that does such valuable work and provides so many important services for this community is something we are deeply thankful for."

Saturday's event is the first of the Mallards' two Genesis jersey auctions this season.  Another one-of-a-kind set of game worn jerseys be auctioned off following the Mallards' Saturday, March 8 game against Arizona.

This Saturday evening will also see the first 1,000 fans ages 12 and under through the doors at the iWireless Center receive free Mallards youth replica jerseys courtesy of Scott County Family Y and Two Rivers YMCA.

Tickets for Saturday night's game can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

About Genesis Health System

Genesis Health System, its affiliates and partners offer a full continuum of health care services.  Genesis Health System's affiliates include : acute and tertiary hospital care at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport and DeWitt, Iowa and Genesis Medical Center, Silvis and Aledo in Illinois; home health and hospice services through Genesis VNA and Hospice; Genesis Workplace Services, including occupational health, employee assistance and wellness services for employers and their employees; the Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House; senior living facilities offering rehabilitation and long-term care; Genesis Health Group, with more than 170 primary care physicians and specialists; a Family Practice Residency program; Genesis Psychology Associates; three Convenient Care clinics; and Genesis Home Medical Equipment.  Partners include the Genesis Medical Park, Crow Valley, Genesis Imaging Centers and Spring Street Surgical Center, Davenport. Genesis Health System serves a 10-county area of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.  Genesis also manages Jackson County Regional Health Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. For more information, visit www.genesishealth.com.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards in the midst of their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

-### Quad City Mallards ### -