Evan Lysacek pulls out of Skate America citing money issues

• Evan Lysacek is out of Skate America due to money issues with US federation. [Chicago Tribune]

• Yu-Na Kim skips entire season while she ponders the future. [Chosun]

• Douglas Razzano takes Evan Lysacek's place at Skate America. [US Figure Skating]

• Skate America begins on October 21 in Ontario, California. Watch it live on icenetwork. [icenetwork]

• Watch a recap of An Evening with Champions, featuring Yu-Na Kim. [YouTube]

• Skater discovers she has brain tumor after falling on ice. [DailyMail]

• Elvis Stojko finds peace and harmony in Mexico. [Toronto Sun]

• Yuna Kim appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Winter Youth Games. [Chosun Ilbo]

• Daisuke Takahashi and his French twizzles. [International Figure Skating]

• Tickets still left to see Johnny Weir's last scheduled NY performance at Ice Theatre of New York gala. [ITNY]

Evan Lysacek sets sights on 2014 Sochi Olympics

• Evan Lysacek (photo below right) calls 2014 Olympics his ultimate goal. [Chicago Tribune]

• Acclaimed U.S. Figure Skating Film RISE to Make Television Premiere Oct. 22, 2011, on VERSUS. [US Figure Skating]

• Internet skating video via YouTube continue to make huge impact. [Blazing Blades]

• Aleksandra Brittain skating to the top at 2011 National Solo Dance Championships. [CourierPostOnline]

• U.S. Olympic figure skaters Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov win USOC grant for Fever On Ice. [icenetwork]

• Sheryl Crow to headline 12th Annual "An Evening with Scott Hamilton and Friends" ice show and gala on November 5. [WKYC]

• Check out complete results from the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series. [ISU]

• Johnny Weir attends New York City Fashion Week. [Universal Sports]

• Aunt Joyce reminds us of the good ole days. [Aunt Joyce's Ice Cream Stand]

• Alissa Czisny plans triple Lutz-triple toe for Skate America. [Figure Skaters Online]

Yuna Kim helps PyeongChang City win 2018 Winter Olympics

• IRS goes after Johnny Weir's agent Tara Modlin on bogus 9/11 skating benefit. [NY Post] But Tara fights back with a vengeance! [Stars Stripes and Skates]

• Canadian pairs skater Bryce Davison skates into retirement and coaching. [Toronto Sun]

• Madison Chock and Evan Bates are a new dance team. I loved Emily Samuelson and Evan Bates -- what happened!?! [Universal Sports]

• Streaker interrupts Sun Valley ice show. Witnesses could not describe his face. [Idaho Mountain Express]

• Tonya and Nancy: The Rock Opera now playing in Cambridge, Massachusettes. [icenetwork]

• USA Roller Sports National Championships underway in Fort Wayne, Indiana. [Chicago Tribune]

• Yuna Kim helps PyeongChang City win 2018 Olympic Winter Games bid. [USA Today]

• Evan Lysacek eyeing a return to competition by requesting Grand Prix assignments. [Chicago Tribune]

• Emily Hughes' take on Evan's comeback. [DailyHouse]

• Reigning world champion Miki Ando from Japan decides to skip Grand Prix this season. [Japan Times]

• Complete results from 2011 Liberty Summer Competition. [Liberty Skating]

Sarah Hughes, Johnny Weir, Evan Lysacek at Figure Skating in Harlem benefit

What an amazing evening last night at Wollman Rink in Central Park, NYC! Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH), a not-for-profit program that combines academics with ice skating for girls in the Harlem community, held their annual fundraiser benefit called Skating with the Stars. The honorees this year were 2002 Olympic champion Sarah Hughes and Terry and Tina Lundgren. Terry is the CEO is Macy's and Tina is on the advisory board of FSH as well as a world skating judge. All three are long-time supporters of FSH and have helped FSH founder Sharon Cohen and her staff raise lots of money for the girls.

On hand to lend their support to this worthy organization -- Johnny Weir, Evan Lysacek, Sasha Cohen, Todd Eldredge, Joannie Rochette, Adam Rippon, Fumie Suguri, Jeremy Abbott, Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, Timothy Goebel, Emily Hughes, Nastia Liukin, Lucinda Ruh, Vera Wang, Kenneth Cole, Ramona Singer (from Real Housewives of NYC), fashion designer Chris Benz, Donald and Melania Trump, and the list goes on. Interviews with skaters coming up! (Photo above, honoree Sarah Hughes with FSH girls, photo below, Johnny Weir)

Evan Lysacek honored with Thurman Munson Award

Munson Class of 2011: (Right to left), Olympic gold medal winning figure skater Evan Lysacek, is joined by Nets All Star guard Devin Harris, legendary basketball Hall of Famer Dr. J, Julius Erving, Thurman Munson's widow Diana Munson, Mets outfielder Angel Pagan, former Mets 12-time All Star catcher Mike Piazza, and Yankees All Star rightfielder Nick Swisher as recipients of the 31st annual Thurman Munson Award from AHRC New York City Foundation on Tuesday, February 1, at the Grand Hyatt in NYC. The dinner honors the late, great Yankee captain and catcher Thurman Munson, and benefits AHRC which assists children and adults who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Photo by Jerry Speier

Evan takes home Munson Award: NBC Today Show co-anchor Meredith Vieira presents 2010 Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater Evan Lysacek with the Thurman Munson Award for his excellence on the ice and philanthropic efforts. Evan is a member of the board of Figure Skating in Harlem, which teaches girls academic and life skills through ice skating, and serves on the celebrity board of Ronald McDonald House Charities, which aims to improve the health and well-being of children. Photo by Jerry Speier

[My interview with Evan in December in NYC as he collaborates with Ferrero Chocolates to support Habitat for Humanity:]