Never mind the weather and the laid-back lifestyle things often don’t come easily in L.A.

The ongoing saga over a proposed sports arena is ample evidence of that, as chronicled in our two front-page stories. Last week, Business Journal editors and reporters sifted through leases and memorandums of understanding to get at the heart of the conflict. Beyond the arena deal itself, of course, is the larger issue of how sports venues are likely to be financed in the future.

If that’s not troublesome enough for you, consider the prospect of massive flooding this winter as a result of the much-hyped El Ni & #324;o and the likely affected businesses. Then, there’s the higher risk of bacterial infection from uncooked Puget Sound shellfish, a little-publicized concern among L.A.-area restaurateurs.

Finally, there’s a cautionary Hollywood tale: the frustrating efforts of local filmmakers in getting their documentary about “Star Trek” fans on the big screen.

Good, bad or indifferent, they’re all a part of the L.A. story and they’re all in this week’s Business Journal.

Mark Lacter

Editor