Remembering a funny thing that happened at the Forum

I was saddened to read of the death of Sal Palumbo, a jovial fellow I used to encounter at sporting events when both of us hung out with Bud Furillo, the late Herald- Examiner sports editor.

But I couldn’t help smiling when I remembered one story that Furillo and Palumbo used to laugh about. Years ago, a riot broke out during a boxing event at the Inglewood Forum, with fans ripping out seats and setting fires.

Sal happened to be at a hot dog stand when the riot reached him. In that long-ago time, the condiments at the Forum were set out in open pots with ladles inside. Sal was daubing mustard on his dog when one rioter grabbed the mustard pot. Unperturbed, Sal said, “You want this?” The rioter hesitated, then took the ladle from Sal, dropped it into the pot and threw the whole business down the corridor.

Unreal estate: Today’s unusual showings (see accompanying):

* A $4-million-plus home with a “dramatic entry” -- and dramatic is the right word since you apparently have to low-crawl inside to keep from hitting your head on those low, low ceilings (from Ken and Gerd Ball of Rancho Palos Verdes).

* Something in Bakersfield labeled “not actual house.” Opined Craig Smith of Agua Dulce: “It says ‘mint condition,’ so I’m thinking maybe something edible?”

* Reminiscent of “not actual home,” Lone Pine is the site of “vacant land/building,” which seems a lot more vacant than building (photo by Jan Cowin).

* And finally, a house that speaks. “Sure it sounds cute now,” said Suzanne Moore of Long Beach, “but wait till you’ve lived there a while: ‘Pick up your clothes!’ ‘Take your feet off the coffee table!’ ‘We need to discuss our relationship!’ ”

Next thing you know, you’ll be looking for a not-actual home to move into.

Bad reception: In San Diego magazine, Ron Donoho discusses “wet phone disease,” which is contracted by cellphones when their owners drop them into a liquid -- such as the water in a Jacuzzi. Which is where Donoho was one day, enjoying the soothing water “until I felt the bump and realized I’d drowned my cellphone.”

The story had a happy ending for Donoho (though not for his dead mobile). He sent a mass e-mail to the people on his computer’s “contacts” list and invited those who wanted to stay in touch to e-mail back. He heard from dozens of “long-lost friends.”

He also heard colorful stories of other outbreaks of “wet phone disease,” including that of a cell that was dropped into a cappuccino. Its owner said that although he was able to revive the phone after a couple of days of drying, “It was never quite the same after that. Smelled good, though.”

miscelLAny: Writer Dave Voda wonders if the new movie “The Invasion” has a self-defeating slogan. Its ads say: “Do not trust anyone. Do not show emotion. Do not fall asleep.” Said Voda: “I’m not going to sit through any movie so boring I have to be warned to keep my eyes open.”

Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083; by fax at (213) 237-4712; by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012; and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.