ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Hall Will Always Love Them: Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Diane Warren and Paul Williams will be inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame during ceremonies June 14 in New York. In addition, special awards will go to Billy Joel and Gloria and Emilio Estefan, and “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” will receive the Towering Song Award.

Stealing Spice: Burglars ransacked the London home of former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, stealing a computer, stereo, jewelry and other possessions worth about $115,000 and wrecking her furniture, British newspapers reported Wednesday. Halliwell reportedly discovered the break-in at her flat in the trendy Notting Hill district on her return from a weekend trip to Paris with British pop star Robbie Williams. Missing items reportedly included a necklace once owned by Hollywood star Elizabeth Taylor that Halliwell had bought at auction. Halliwell, who was described by her spokesman as being “very upset . . . but coping fine,” was said to be staying in a London hotel until the flat--which was reportedly sprayed with milk and other liquids--was redecorated. Police acknowledged they were investigating the break-in but declined to give details.

Supporting Latino Culture: Walt Disney Co. Vice Chairman Roy E. Disney has directed $1 million in donations--$500,000 in personal funds and $500,000 from the Disney Foundation--to the Albuquerque-based Hispanic Cultural Foundation to help construct the $22-million Roy E. Disney Center for the Performing Arts in the city. The donation was announced during the center’s groundbreaking Wednesday. Scheduled for completion in late 2002, the center will include three theaters ranging from 150 seats to 750 seats.

Smiley’s Tenure Limited: Cable’s BET said Wednesday that the network has “chosen not to renew” the contract of one of its most well-known personalities, “BET Tonight” host Tavis Smiley, when it expires in October. BET news and programming executive Nina Henderson-Moore called it “a creative decision,” noting that “BET has consistently worked to evolve its programming.” Henderson-Moore also said that the network is planning to launch a BET News division in the fall covering news from a “black perspective.” Smiley began hosting “BET Tonight,” a nightly news show, in 1998.

Quick Takes: Former “Law & Order” star Carey Lowell has signed to play a U.S. attorney on four to six episodes of CBS’ new drama “Big Apple.” Her first episode airs April 5. . . . In conjunction with its airing tonight of “Groucho: A Life in Revue” (see story, F54), KCET will attempt to set a record today for the most Groucho Marx impersonators assembled in one place during a 3 p.m. event at the Guinness World Book of Records Museum on Hollywood Boulevard. KCET says makeup and cigars will be provided to all participants. Marx’s son, Arthur Marx, is slated to attend. . . . “The Patriot” was named the year’s best mature film while “The Basket” was named the best family film at the Movieguide Awards on Wednesday night. The awards honor projects depicting “Judeo-Christian values, virtue and themes of redemption.” . . . “The Baritones,” director Mark Travis’ (“Going Under”) 28-minute film short spoofing HBO’s “The Sopranos,” premieres at 8 tonight in a free screening at the L.A. Film School, 6363 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. The film centers on family patriarch Tony Baritone, whose business--instead of the mob--is show business.