*FRIDAY, MAY 18

GET ‘EM WHILE THEY’RE HOT (& IN EXISTENCE) Spring is in full bloom, so it’s time for another book sale to fill in the spaces of the junk you just threw out. The Friends of the Somerville Public Library present their collection of used books at low-ball prices. It’s your chance to sweep up a few classics and a few surprises. All proceeds made will go back to help the programs offered by the library. May 18, 12—4 p.m. May 19, 10 a.m.—4 p.m. May 20, 1:30—3:30 p.m. (Preview for Friends of the Somerville Library on May 17, 5—8 p.m.) Somerville Public Library Central, 79 Highland Ave. www.somervillepubliclibrary.org

COUPLE OF FOLKS Ashley Wells and Matt Borrello, two songwriters from the south (Borrello from Southeast Massachusetts, Wells from the real south), will delight the audience with songs from their respective catalogues. Wells 2010 debut album, Mama’s Skirt, hit the top ten of the Folk DJ Charts. Borrello often plays solo in the Boston/Providence area, but also joins with the band, The Quality Dogs and has played the Boston Folk Festival Youth Songwriting Contest. May 18, 7:30—10:30 p.m. Tickets $10. Center for Arts at the Armory Performance Hall, 191 Highland Ave. www.artsatthearmory.org; www.ashleywells.com; www.mattborrello.com

WEB OF DESTRUCTION Miles Sherts, author of Conscious Communication, leads this presentation about how our new socially engaged technology may be employing us to feel more alone. Sherts will explain different ways to make communication more profitable and more genuinely connected. This discussion is hosted by Jessica Kern of Live Sustainable. May 18, 7:30—9 p.m. Suggested donation $10 (to go towards Sky Meadow Retreat Center). RSVP: 617-962-3528 or JLKern@gmail.com. Third Life Studio, 33 Union Sq. www.thirdlifestudio.com

*SATURDAY, MAY 19

PORCH SITTIN’ Time to get real. Porchfest, the conglomeration of musicians belting out tunes on their personal front porch, takes off for its second year. The eclectic mix of Somerville maestros will pollute the air with music from all categorical corners. Walk around town and enjoy what’s been hiding behind closed doors all winter. May 19, 12—6 p.m. (Rain date Sunday, May 20). Porches of Somerville. www.somervilleartscouncil.org/porchfest

*SUNDAY, MAY 20

AN EARFUL Whoever said kids couldn’t become master painters was wrong. Kidcasso Art looks to rearrange that thought by inviting kids, ages 4—10, to try their hand at famous painting. This Sunday they’ll take on Van Gogh’s famous “Starry Night” scene using ink, pastel and watercolors. The class, funded by Somerville Children’s Network, can accommodate the first 30 children. May 20, 2—3:30 p.m. Somerville Public Library Central, 79 Highland Ave. www.somervillepubliclibrary.org

YOUGSTER ART Young Artists in Action will hold a celebration this Sunday to raise funds for the arts enrichment programs at the Arthur D. Healey School. There will be music and other performances, a silent auction and raffle of work from local artists and business with prizes including Celtics and Red Sox tickets, outdoor chalk, face-painting and finger foods. YAA Awards will also be given out to local artists and writers who’ve contributed to the community. May 20, 2—5 p.m. Suggested donation $5—$20 per family. Arthur D. Healey School, 5 Meacham St.

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Davis Square. That beautiful place where young adults can satisfy their urge to grow, to taste, and then become the ruling class. Davis has seen an abundance of new, upscale dining options in the past few years. By appealing to the ostensibly refined college crowd, some are necessarily disappointments. On the other hand, there are plenty of legitimately worthy spots that make Davis something of a culinary destination.

To that end, move over Chipotle. The Painted Burro is the new, legit Mexican joint in town and they have so much mezcal. And so much tequila, too, that their 80-plus long list seems more intended to make booze nerds swoon than it does to present legitimate options for diners.

Would you like to become more formally acquainted with the often misunderstood spirit? Tequila flights are a good way to meet your old nemesis in a safe place, far from the freshman dorm experience you may have had with José Cuervo. Please note that you will not find any Jose Cuérvo products on the menu nor will a pushy fratboy insist, “Come on, just do one. Everyone’s doing shots.”

Nearby Anna’s Taqueria is a stand-up organization, but it’s nonetheless a bit one-dimensional. Hot, cheap, and satisfying burritos and tacos: totes. Ceviche: no. Chicaron: no. Fundido: no. More than 80 types of tequila: absolutely not.

The Painted Burro represents a completely new vector to Davis Square, and a welcome departure from what has become a seemingly endless parade of gastropubs. The menu is small but enticing; so small, though, that it will have to turn over on a regular basis to avoid becoming stale.

“When life gives you limes, make ceviche,” my mother never said to me. The Painted Burro’s presentation of the dish ($14) was close to a platonic ideal of ceviche. The scallop and two types of fish retained their own distinct flavor and texture, a difficult task for a dish that can quickly become over-marinated and mushy.

Also highly recommended is the short rib barbacoa ($26). Not only was the meat tender and the mole incredibly rich, but the accompanying grits ($4) caused both of my dining partners from the south to simultaneously rhapsodize on the cheesy glory beholden unto them. The pork chicharron ($6) was also a home run, and the chorizo and fried egg tacos ($12) almost made me wish I was hungover so that I, in my own personal universe of suffering, could know salvation.

A few dishes did not quite live up to high expectations. The ¡chupacabra taco! ($21), although presented prominently on the menu, was little more than an incoherent combination of the meat portions of the other tacos. The “chingon” cucumber pickles ($5) were less than badass (their namesake) and were unbalanced and overly briney. While service was on point, the environment was claustrophobic. Old-timey chairs and tables were gigantic and didn’t purvey charm they were likely meant to.

Overall, The Painted Burro is an exciting development, and we should be grateful the owners of Posto took a chance on the spot once occupied by the beloved Gargoyles On The Square and that blue-haired chef from TV. If the menu stays fresh, I see no reason why it can’t be my go-to place when I’m looking for more than just another burrito joint.

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Where do things stand? Are there spots that you avoid? Let us know your overall feeling by taking our poll, and feel free to talk about your specific praise/issues in the comment section.

Also, check out the City’s remaining Bike Week here.

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A stock report from the Somerville Stock Exchange website

By Aaron Dentel-Post

Tim Devin is putting stock in Somerville. In an experiment with community forums and fundraising he’s calling the Somerville Stock Exchange, Devin is hoping to provide a kind of measure of the value of the community.

Devin, an artist responsible for projects such as The history of Somerville, 2010-2100, said his latest endeavor was inspired by a friend who had been buying sandwiches for homeless people.

“I’ve found that people who do nice things for their neighbors don’t really tell anyone,” Devin said.

The Somerville Stock Exchange encourages people to share their contributions to the community. Contributors who share their artistic, environmental and other contributions around the city or give money to one of the three nonprofits he’s selected receive “stock” in exchange.

“Every 15 days to a month, I update the price of the stocks,” Devin said.“There’s no money there, but it’s a thank you and a way to show you’re involved in the community.”

The plan is that the stock value will change depending on stories Devin hears and what he sees in local news about the Somerville community. He’s hoping goodwill will encourage goodwill.

“There’s downward spirals — I want to make an upward spiral,” he said. “But beyond that, I think it will make a really fascinating document to show what Somerville’s about.”

According to the Somerville Stock Exchange website, acts of goodwill that could earn stock range from welcoming a new neighbor to starting a compost pile or writing a play.

Fundraising for Somerville nonprofits is also an important part of the project. The three groups Devin has selected to be highlighted by the project are the Somerville Arts Council, Somerville Climate Action and the Somerville Homeless Coalition.

Susan Putnins, who donated money to the Somerville Homeless Coalition to receive stock, said she likes the idea of the Stock Exchange as a way to help encourage good in the community.

“I’m really interested in the idea of community in general and getting to know my neighbors,” Putnins said. “It’s cool to think that I’m not just giving x number of dollars to a nonprofit.”

The Somerville Stock Exchange launched on March 31, and Devin expects it to run for about a year.

The project has about 20 contributors so far, and has received some interesting stories. Devin noted among them a person who volunteered every week to teach English as a second language at The Welcome Project, and that he’d received many ideas from people working to reduce waste.

There’s a lot of community and creative spirit in the city, Devin added, and his goal for the project is to show it.

“Somerville’s a small enough place that if you want to change something, you can change it,” he said.

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*MONDAY, MAY 14

POETRY SLAM MONDAYS A couple of poetry champions host a new weekly workshop at Radio. Mckendy Fil-Aimé has competed at the National Poetry Slam and is a two-time NorthBEAST Regional Slam finalist. Simone Beaubien, founder of the Radio Poetry Slam, is SlamMaster of Boston Poetry Slam and has competed at the National Poetry Slam. May 14, 7 p.m. Open mic at 8 p.m. 21+ Admission $5. Radio, 379-381 Somerville Ave. www.radiobarunion.com

*WEDNESDAY, MAY 16

PENCIL TO THE PAPER On Wednesday nights learn how to begin drawing or improve your blooming skills. Instructor Damon Lehrer, who has taught drawing at the Rhode Island School of Deisign, Boston University, Mass College of Art, The Art Institute of Boston and Montserrat College of Art, leads the class intended for all skill sets. There will be one half-hour lecture followed by one-on-one instruction. May 16, 7—10 p.m. $25 per class. Vernon Street Studios, 6 & 20 Vernon St. www.vernonstreet.com

THANK YOU PICNIC The Somerville Arts Council Community wants to thank its supporters with a Volunteer Appreciation Picnic. Old friends and interested comrades are welcome to enjoy food, drink, Frisbee and kickball. Don’t be shy and bring a dish to share. The more food we eat the fatter with gratitude we get. May 16, 6:30—8:30 p.m. Rain or shine. Powderhouse Park Area, adjacent to the Nathan Tufts Fieldhouse. www.somervilleartscouncil.org

MYSTIC LEARNING The Spring for Children Annual Fundraiser comes to Sally O’Briens this year. The benefit for Somerville’s Mystic Learning Center will have a performance from the Tom Hagerty Band, a buffet dinner and raffles for some radical prizes. Great chance to show support for a great organization. May 16, 6—10 p.m. Admission $15. All proceeds go to Somerville’s Mystic Learning Center. Sally O’Brien’s, 335 Somerville Ave. www.sallyobriensbar.com; www.mysticlearningcenter.org

*THURSDAY, MAY 17

DISAPPEARING ISLAND There Once Was An Island is the film that asks the question: What if your community had to decide whether to leave their island forever? It follows three people from the Pacific Islands as they struggle to deal with the havoc wreaked by climate change on their community. The film, presented by State Representative Denise Provost and Somerville Climate Action, takes a look at the climactic difficulties the Papua New Guinea island chain, specifically the Takuu Atoll, faces. May 17, 7—9 p.m. Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. www.somervilleclimateaction.org; www.thereoncewasanisland.com

TWO CLASSICS Dream concert: Led Zeppelin performing all of Houses of the Holy AS AN OPENING ACT TO Pink Floyd playing Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety. Realistic concert: The Tom Appleman Band performing the two classic albums one night at Johnny D’s. Tom Appleman has earned his respect as a teacher at Berklee College of Music and brings an ace band with him. Reality never felt so good. May 17, 8 p.m. Admission $10. Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant & Music Club, 17 Holland St. www.johnnyds.com

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Specializing in toys that promote “active play,” Knucklebones has a Davis Square play space that offers “the ultimate play experience for ages 8 months to 6 years.”

For more information, contact  Play@Knucklebones.us.

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*FRIDAY, MAY 11

INTERGALACTIC PLANETARY Here comes the Spring Sci-fi Spectacular edging over the horizon now. The Post-Meridian Radio Players will perform a live radio drama in two parts this Friday and Saturday. First they’ll take us through the comedic adventures of “Red Shift: Interplanetary Do-Gooder” in “Havoc Over Holowood,” then they’ll reimagine the famous, “The Day The Earth Stood Still.” This is a family-friendly event. May 11, 8—10 p.m. (Also May 12, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.). Tickets $15; $12 for students and seniors. Urban Promise Church, 205 Elm St. http://sss12.pmrp.org

ONE FOR THE BOOKS Times to get saucy at Radio for some live music. The Self Proclaimed Rockstars and Modernist will dismantle that building brick by brick (in a strictly non-destructive way). May 11, 9 p.m. 21+ Tickets $7. Radio, 379-381 Somerville Ave. www.radiobarunion.com

*SATURDAY, MAY 12

MONEY MAKING Continuing on the theme, “Scary but Funny,” film critic and former president of the Boston Society of Film Critics, Dan Kimmel hosts another film in the “Community Curated” series. Kimmel ends the series with, Men In Black¸ the alien-adventure film starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Soon to become a trilogy, the third installment of the series hits theatres this summer. May 12, 10 a.m.—12 p.m. Free. Somerville Public Library Central, 79 Highland Ave. www.somervillepubliclibrary.org

EVERYONE WITHOUT CLOTHES Does the sweat start to drip even before you get up in front of an audience? Does the bare thought of it make you go cold? Amanda Hennessey is here to help. Intro to Public Speaking is a fun two-hour workshop geared at solving the dilemmas of spotlight speaking. May 12, 2—4 p.m. Admission $50. Ages 18 and over. Amanda Good Rehearsal Space, 259 Elm St. www.bostonactingclasses.com

SHE GETS STUNG Touring behind his new EP, A Bee In Her Mouth, Steve Gates and his trio bring their newest songs to the Armory. With a full-length debut on the horizon Gates has been traveling through Canada and the East Coast offering audiences his barnyard harmonies and ambience. May 12, 7:30—11 p.m. Tickets $6 advance; $8 at the door. Available on Brown Paper Tickets. Center for Arts at the Armory café, 191 Highland Ave. www.artsatthearmory.org

*SUNDAY, MAY 13

LET’S TALK ABOUT THE PAST Stuart Brorson presents his talk, “The Menace of the Three-Decker,” as part of Historic Somerville’s local history lecture series. May 13, 2—3 p.m. Tickets $8; Mothers and Members get in free. The Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Rd. www.historicsomerville.org

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By  Rheanna O’Neil Bellomo

Photo by Kelly MacDonald

Robert Publicover nestles into a chair by the door at Three Little Figs (278  Highland Ave.) with a small coffee and the New York Times. The 62-year-old, born in Somerville and raised in Davis Square, perches reading glasses on the end of his nose and studies the paper. His daily ritual has begun.

Publicover has dedicated much of his life to pouring energy into serving others while pushing through his own setbacks. While battling HIV/AIDS for three and a half decades, he has become one of the most notable and recognizable figures in the Somerville community. He founded the Somerville News in 1980 and ran it for 22 years. He founded the Committee for a Response to AIDS in 1985 just before his own diagnosis, and the Somerville high School Scholarship Fund in 1990. He’s authored two books about the virus, and began a state senate campaign in 2005. You can call him a newsman or an activist or an entrepreneur. First and foremost, though, Publicover has always been a fighter.

In 1986, when first diagnosed with HIV, Publicover’s doctor warned that he only had 18 months to live. “I didn’t believe him,” Publicover said. “I just knew better.” Testing on a previous blood sample following the diagnosis would later show that he had contracted the virus as early as 1976.

In the 1990s, Publicover became the go-to guy for  HIV-positive young men looking for advice or consoling at his old hangout, the former Bar 119 on Merrimack Street in Boston. His guidance earned him a nickname. “They called me The Godfather,” he said. “And they used to joke that long after everyone else was dead, I would still be around.

“Well, they were right.”

Today, Publicover is believed to be the nation’s longest living survivor of AIDS.

A Love Lost

He has questioned why, of all his friends and family, he has survived both HIV/AIDS and cancer. “I used to get asked all the time why me, and i used to have great answers,” he said. “Now I’m not sure. Some things just don’t have answers. All I know is I must have done something right – or God is getting even.”

Though he is grateful for the time he has been able to keep, losing so many friends and family over the course of a few years has left a scar. “There really is no way to deal with it. It was like a war,” he said. “I’ve lost so many, I’ve lost count and i don’t want to know.”

The most difficult of his losses was John, his partner of 11 years.

“We did everything together, non-stop,” he said. “We took for granted that I was older, we thought I would die before him.”

In 1981, Publicover had recently founded the News in the ashes of the defunct Somerville Times when he met John at Bar 119. Publicover was 32, John 21.

Together, the two established the fundraising non-profit Committee for a Response to AIDS in 1985. John had already been diagnosed. Publicover’s diagnosis would follow shortly after.

In 1992, John was in and out of Somerville Hospital numerous times with an HIV-related illness. After his third visit, there was little doctors could do. For three months, Publicover visited three times a day.

“He was very dedicated to John, taking care of him day and night,” said Mary Hart, a nurse in the clinic at Somerville Hospital at the time. “When John wanted to go home at the end, Bob was determined to get him there.”

Hart volunteered to assist John at home. Two or three days later, he died.

“There were no solutions,” Publicover said. “It was the hardest thing. A grief you think you’ll never get over.”

For about a year after losing John, Publicover fell into depression but was the first to recognize it and get help, according to Hart. “He has never felt sorry for himself and is always determined to hang in there and be a survivor,” she said. “That’s who he is, a survivor.”

A Love Found

In the years following, Publicover wrote two books about the power and effect AIDS has on those diagnosed and their friends and families: My Unicorn Has Gone Away and What’s Wrong with Uncle Johnny? The books were born from both his and John’s experiences with HIV/AIDS.

These testaments invoking his lost love would help lead him to his next.

In 2005, a nursing student contacted Publicover about his writing. David Lebahan, 38, was working on an HIV education piece in his hometown, Scranton, Penn. The two formed a mentor-mentee relationship – first over email, later in person. Eventually, they started dating.

On their first date at The Franklin Café in Boston’s South End, Lebahan had to step outside to catch his breath. “I am so pathetically romantic. I thought to myself, ‘Wow, this guy is something else. He’s pretty incredible, how did I end up on a date with him?’” he said. “That was my ‘aha’ moment, and it only blossomed more and more.”

Six months later, shortly after Publicover ended a state senate campaign because of his health, Lebahan moved in with him.

During their first weekend together, Publicover became extremely ill at a rapid pace. He was bed-ridden for six months with an AIDS-related illness. He couldn’t eat, receiving nutrition through an intravenous drip. His weight dropped to 82 pounds, from 124. “It was absolutely terrifying,” Lebahan said. “Every time he goes in it’s still terrifying – not because you’re afraid he won’t come home but because you don’t know what the next step is. And there will be a next time.”

“His T [cell] count has been so low that anyone else would have been dead,” added Hart. “With Bob, it’s, ‘Oh well, I’m going to get my shots and get some sunshine and keep going.’”

After working through illness, death, loss, and survival, Publicover considers HIV his best friend and his worst enemy. “It’s the one constant that’s been in his life for the past 35 years…I call him my cockroach. The man will live through nuclear war,” said Lebahan.

New Directions

Publicover sold the News in 2002, between publishing his second book and meeting David. By the time he sold, the paper had become a Somerville centerpiece known for its long features focusing on notable community members.

“He featured all kinds of city contributors,” recalled John Sappochetti, who covered sports under Publicover as a 16-year-old and has remained a close friend since. “Teachers, politicians, business owners, families who had lived here a long time.”

Of late, his working time has been equally split between his two lasting projects: the Committee for a Response to AIDS; and the Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation, which he established in 1990 to help send students from his alma mater to college. Publicover and Lebahan have kept travel a constant in their life, staying in New York City for a Broadway show and occasionally flying to San Francisco for the warm weather.

This morning, in the café, Publicover pulls a suit jacket over the light blue fleece zipped to his chest, his plaid tie barely visible. His salt and pepper hair is cut short. His face wrinkles with laughter when he smiles. He has his sights on his next great adventure. His goal is to establish a new small business, but for the first time in a long time he’s unsure which direction to take.

The first step for Publicover is to end his battle with perianal cancer. After three years and four surgeries, he is scheduled for another biopsy, which he hopes is his last. He also has a lot of planning to do: his wedding with Lebahan is scheduled for June 17 at the Arlington Street Church. When the idea comes, though, he’ll be ready. “One day I’ll walk into something or it will hit me in the side of the head, and I’ll know it’s the right thing.”

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