RIPTA Rider Reader 5/28/25

A weekly column you can read on the bus — or anywhere in the world.

I had a great time last week at the Newport Youth Skateboarding Initiative fundraiser concert at Rejects Beer Co. Rejects is one of my favorite spots on the island, in Middletown just around the bend from First Beach diagonally across the street from a cool skate and surf shop called Omen Newport.

The bands brought out a great punky young crowd, and a crew of local skaters was taking full advantage of the DIY skatepark they had set up in the back parking lot.