■ Actor Peter Falk's wife of 32 years is opposing a bid by his adopted daughter to place him under conservatorship. Documents filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court say that Falk entrusted his wife, Shera Danese Falk, to manage his affairs and care before his health deteriorated. Catherine Falk applied to be named conservator over her father's affairs in December, saying that he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Falk's wife says that Falk is receiving adequate care and does not have a close relationship with his daughter. Her filing includes declarations from the couple's accountant, housekeeper and numerous friends, including a former wife of Johnny Carson and actor Joe Mantegna.
■ "Little" Jimmy Dickens, a Grand Ole Opry star, has been moved from a hospital in Nashville, Tenn., to a rehabilitation center to recuperate from surgery. Dickens, 88, underwent surgery Jan. 13 to repair a subdural hematoma, a form of brain injury. Opry publicist Jessie Schmidt said yesterday that Dickens expects a short stay in the rehab center. Dickens, who is 4 feet 11 inches tall, has been a member of the Opry since 1948. His hits include "Country Boy," "A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed" and "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose."
■ Barack Obama's presidential campaign has inspired a London musical. Obama on My Mind will open at a small theater in March, the producers announced. The play's book, music and lyrics are by U.S.-born writer Teddy Hayes. Yesterday, Hayes described the show as a humorous romp set in an Obama campaign office, with songs that mix pop, gospel, jazz, "some Motownish stuff" and even tango. The musical will run at the Hen and Chickens theater in London March 3-21. The producers have spared themselves the challenge of finding a presidential look-alike -- the Obama character never appears on stage.
■ Actor Matt Dillon pleaded not guilty in Chelsea, Vt., yesterday to a speeding charge in which police say they clocked his car at 106 mph on an interstate highway Dec. 30. Dillon's attorney, Mark Kaplan, entered the plea on his behalf. Kaplan said that there was no reason for Dillon, 44, to attend the arraignment and that he hoped to resolve the case without going to trial. In an affidavit filed with the Vermont District Court, a state trooper said that Dillon was apologetic and cooperative. "I screwed up, I know, I know," the affidavit quoted Dillon as saying as a trooper approached his car. The charge is a misdemeanor that carries a maximum sentence of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Deaths
■ Clint Ballard Jr., 77, after a long illness, at his home in Denton, Texas. He was a pop songwriter who wrote the No. 1 hits "You're No Good" for Linda Ronstadt in 1975 and "Game of Love" 10 years earlier.
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