JANUARY 31 2005

HUGHES YOU CAN USE: A historical figure achieves true significance when the film of his or her life wins Best Picture. Mozart, Mahatma Gandhi, Gen. George Patton, William Wallace, Emperor Pu Yi — an elite group indeed, capable not only of building nations and winning wars but also of doing it in an entertaining two hours and ten minutes of screen time. All entered the ranks of the truly noteworthy on Oscar night.

Howard Hughes and Ray Charles now have the opportunity to join this select company, per last Tuesday’s nominations. The envelopes remain sealed until February 27, giving us all about a month to bone up for the Oscar party. Recommended: Howard Hughes: The Real Aviator, a documentary not nominated for anything and not starring Leo DiCaprio and Cate Blanchett. (It did however win Best Documentary at the 2004 Berkeley Video & Film Festival.) Also a couple of (yawn) books: Richard Hack’s Hughes: The Private Diaries, Memos and Letters : The Definitive Biography of the First American Billionaire, the foundation upon which The Aviator was built; and Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness, by award-winning investigative journalists Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele.

For Ray Charles, only one source necessary: Brother Ray, his autobiography.

THE ENVELOPE PLEASE: Speaking of nominations and awards, Colorado Preservation Inc. will unveil its new Endangered Places list on Thursday night at the state preservation conference, Saving Places: Bringing Preservation Home. To get the full list, hit this link Friday morning.

THIS OLD TAX SHELTER: We just stumbled across this multi-part Washington Post series published in late December about historic facade easements. A handful of D.C. homeowners apparently (or allegedly) are abusing the privilege, occasioning a few natterings of outrage. The same law applies here in Colorado. Still curious? Colorado Preservation Inc. answers some FAQs, and a lawyer weighs in.