"We're very fortunate to have Mike coming back to play for us," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.  "Last year he was a top three defenseman for us.  He's a shut-down guy who brings the physical part of the game.  He did a great job last year as a rookie and now we're excited to see him take the next step and be the best defenseman he can be."

Monfredo returns to the Quad Cities after skating in the training camp of the ECHL's Elmira Jackals.  The 23-year old last season scored four goals, totaled 19 points and finished tied for fifth among Central Hockey League rookies in plus/minus rating (+11) while playing in each of the Mallards' 66 regular season games.

Monfredo spent the 2011-12 season at the State University of New York-Fredonia, where he scored three goals and added five assists in 26 games.  The Shirley, New York, product played three seasons  of junior hockey for Motor City in the North American League  before heading to Fredonia.  In 2010-11, the 6' 3", 210-pound blue liner led the NAHL with 259 penalty minutes.

The Mallards will open their seventeenth season- and their fourth in the CHL- when they host the Rapid City Rush Saturday night at 7:05 p.m.  A pregame Fan Fest outside the iWireless Center will precede the opener from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.  The Fan Fest will feature live music- including plenty of classic covers- from the Loan Sharks, food and beverage stands, a beer tent, the arrival of the Mallards' new Ice Girls and Mo Mallard, the team's perennially popular mascot.  In addition, Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski will stop by to deliver his season-opening welcome to fans on hand.  There will also be ample entertainment for younger fans, including a bounce house and a petting zoo.

Opening night festivities will continue after the Mallards' match-up with Rapid City with a post-game party at Rascals.  Mallards players will join fans at Rascals, which is located at 1414 15th Street in Moline.

Opening night tickets cover admission to both the Mallards' battle with the Rush and the Fan Fest.  Fans can enjoy savings off the regular ticket price by purchasing a four-pack of lower level seats for opening night for just $44.  $44 four-packs can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office or by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364.

All other tickets for the season opener and all other Mallards regular season home games are also now on sale at Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com, through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000 or at the iWireless Center ticket office.  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.

Mallards season tickets as well as half season tickets and flex packs are also still available.  The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget and season ticket holders also receive a host of additional benefits, including a unique season ticket holder Mallards jersey.  More ticket package information is available by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or emailing info@myqcmallards.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 are approaching 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. 

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DES MOINES, IA (10/14/2013)(readMedia)-- The seventh annual Fairgrounds 5K will take place on Sunday, November 3, 2013 on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Runners, joggers and walkers will have the opportunity to experience the Fairgrounds' park-like setting without the hustle and bustle of the Fair. Nothing compares to an Iowa State Fair corndog and this is your chance to enjoy one "guilt free".

The Blue Ribbon Foundation invites the entire family to participate in the afternoon's events including the 5K run, one mile walk, and the Chase the Cow Kids' Run. The entry fee price increases on October 21. Register today at www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org.

"In August, the Fairgrounds are filled with great people, music, entertainment, rides and the best food we all look forward to every year. The 5K is the perfect opportunity for Iowans to see how one of a kind our Fairgrounds are while the Fair is not going on and also support its preservation and renovation," said Peter Cownie, Blue Ribbon Foundation's new Executive Director. "I encourage all runners, walkers, and avid Fair-goers to take part in this special event."

For more information about the Fairgrounds 5K or the Blue Ribbon Foundation, please visit our website or call 1-800-450-3732.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $95 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.?Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Tips presents free, seasonal how-to tips from professional fishing and hunting experts.  Each weekly tip offers practical advice to improve your skills.

Tips offered for November include :
· The best position to spot big bucks isn't always where you'd think.  Get expert advice from RedHead© Pro Hunting team member, Bob Foulkrod.
· The little things count when hunting ducks.  Larry Whiteley, host of the award-winning Outdoor World Radio show, offers tips on how to take home the limit.
· The pros and cons of hunting deer in the rain are explained by Jerry Martin, member of the RedHead© Pro Hunting team.
· Hitting the mark of a moving target takes practice and dedication.  RedHead© Pro Hunting team member Allen Treadwell shares his practice tips.
· Food for thought.  When hunting for food, a doe can be a tasty choice.  Angie Ryan, RedHead© Pro Hunting team member, contributes her knowledge of why a doe may be a better option.

See the attached document for all of this month's tips or visit http://www.basspro.com and click on New & Tips.

MOLINE, Ill. (October 8, 2013) - The Quad City Mallards have signed right wing Jim McKenzie, the Mallards announced today.

"We as an organization felt we needed a tough winger who can score because it's crucial that you have three lines that can score.  We didn't want just a tough guy, we wanted a tough guy who can play, and Jim is tough and can play, which he proved when he was with Allen," said Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.  "I called coaches he's played for who said he's a really good guy and a really good team guy.  He makes everyone else
on the team feel like they're two inches taller.  He's a big piece of the puzzle for us."

McKenzie, 29, started last season- his sixth in professional hockey- with the ECHL's Evansville Icemen before moving on to the Allen Americans, who he helped to the Central Hockey League Ray Miron President's Cup title.  The St. Paul native broke loose for six goals and thirteen points in 15 playoff games with the Americans last spring.  During the regular season, McKenzie scored once and picked up five assists in 12 games with Evansville before notching two goals and two assists in 15 outings for Allen.

The 6' 2", 210-pound McKenzie first played for the Americans in 2011-12, when he scored twenty goals and totaled 44 points while piling up 168 penalty minutes in 54 games.

McKenzie, who was selected by the Ottawa Sentators in the fifth round of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft with the one hundred forty-first overall choice, spent at least part of each of his first four seasons in the American Hockey League.  He has skated in a total of 67 AHL games for the Binghamton Senators, Lake Erie Monsters, Worcester Sharks and Peoria Rivermen.  The Icemen were his fourth ECHL club- he previously suited up 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.

With the addition of McKenzie, the Mallards now have 24 players on their training camp roster, not including forward Brendan Turner, who did not report to camp.

The Mallards will open their seventeenth season- and their fourth in the CHL- when they host the Rapid City Rush on Saturday night, October 19 at 7:05 p.m.  Tickets for the season opener and all other Mallards regular season home games are now on sale at Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com, through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000 or at the iWireless Center ticket office.  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.

Mallards season tickets as well as half season tickets and flex packs are also still available.  The Mallards offer ticket packages to meet any budget and season ticket holders also receive a host of additional benefits, including a unique season ticket holder Mallards jersey.  More ticket package information is available by calling the Mallards at 309-277-1364 or emailing info@myqcmallards.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 are approaching 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.