We at Oaklandish are proud to present the 2012 Innovators Awards winners. These grants are our way of giving back to the city that gives so much to the world — and of recognizing the unsung local heroes who walk among us. And these partnerships are about more than writing a check — we also [...]

Madison Hardy sees glamor in the strangest places: toilet chains, Barbie shoes, even snipped-off locks of hair. Ever since childhood, she's been collecting tiny treasures, and giving them new life. Imagine tiny glass bottles with plastic food suspended inside, or statement rings made from dollhouse lamps. We talked to her about her family's boat travels [...]

Vincente and Vinit spend their days liberating Oakland's junk, and turning it into a blank slate for their pen ink illustrations. Every piece by The Whiteout is an original, and comes with some hints about its former life. The pair get their inspirtation in the discount piles at Goodwill and Urban Ore, then repair, re-paint [...]