In the annuals of "good sports" Alan Barbakow, D.D.S., certainly ranks at, or near, the top of the list. The honoree at the 25th annual Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley tribute dinner, Barbakow danced his way into the hearts of the guests with his obvious enthusiasm and support of Zonta.

In addition, he willingly took center stage, reclining in an vintage, green dentist's chair to receive a musical tribute which brought howls of laughter from the audience of more than 250 guests.

The highlight of the evening was the musical tribute to Barbakow which featured Bill Lively, Carol Rock, Lois Bauccio, Marilyn Hackett and Jim Ventress.

To the music of "Dentist!" - from the musical "Little Shop of Horrors" - Lively, accompanied by his "backup singers," serenaded Barbakow, who reclined in a vintage dentist's chair.

The words were changed up a bit to include Barbakow's accomplishment that "he even designed a real cool building."

Barbakow's offices are in the landmark "Western" themed building on Lyons Avenue in Newhall that he designed and built in 1977.

The evening began with hors d'oeuvres and champagne followed by recognition of past honorees by Jo Ann Rodriguez, president of the Zonta Foundation. Among those attending who stood to be recognized were Jack Shine, Jim Ventress, Cheri and Don Fleming, Bob Kellar, Mike Lebecki, Linda and Moe Hafizi, Michael Berger and Duane Harte.

The live auction followed with the 16 unique items bringing in nearly $17,000.

A "fund a need" donation plea brought in additional money.

Dinner and dancing followed, along with the serious - and not so serious - business of the tribute to Barbakow.

Developer Jack Shine, a former tribute honoree, was on hand to pay tribute to Barbakow.

"I've known Alan Barbakow a long time," Shine said. "In 1987 we formed the first SCV Arts Council."

Shine recounted Barbakow's talents and interests, then lauded his devotion to the SCV.

"There is no question on the amount of time he has given in service to this community," Shine said.

Lois Bauccio, executive director of the Child & Family Center Foundation, recounted how she purchased an orthodontic service donated by Barbakow at a Boys & Girls Club of SCV auction.

"What I learned from that was the amazing way someone could be truly generous," she said.

Barbakow annually donates his services to be auctioned to benefit multiple nonprofits around the SCV.

His donation at the Zonta tribute dinner raised $3,000 for the club.

Jim Ventress credited Barbakow with making him "a better person, a more generous person, a more understanding person - and more cool."

Ventress sported the same kind of beret headwear that Barbakow posed in for the cover of the tribute dinner program.

He spoke about Barbakow's "coolness" under pressure when he chaired the annual Boys & Girls Club auction in 1994.

"He walked around and told everyone what a good job they were doing," Ventress said.

He informed the audience that Barbakow, at heart, is a "beatnik."

Ventress then led the audience in "beatnik applause." The audience snapped their fingers along with Ventress in a salute to Barbakow.

Marilyn Hackett brought a comedic touch to the evening as she "filled in" for a fictitious "friend."

"I don't know Dr. Barbeque," she said. "He hasn't had any impact on my life. I was drinking in the bar and someone asked me to fill in."

The bit earned Hackett substantial laughter.

"Tonight is a special night for me," Barbakow said. "When I left dental school I said to myself that life is too short not to make a difference. I got involved in the community and now today, as a man of 57, I feel so fulfilled. I have a great wife, great kids and great grandkids and am part of a great community."

As Barbakow finished his comments, the audience rose and gave him a standing ovation.

Throughout the night Barbakow, an accomplished dancer, took every opportunity to pair up with female guests for a turn on the dance floor that dominated the banquet room at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills.

The Zonta Club of the SCV Foundation has distributed more than $130,000 to local service projects and in community service contributions since June 2004.

Among the groups that have benefited from the Zonta Club's philanthropy are Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley, Foundation for Children's Dental Health, Girl Scouts - Joshua Tree Council, Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Boys & Girls Club of SCV, Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, SCV Committee on Aging/Senior Center, SCV Youth Project and Single Mother's Outreach.

Friday's tribute dinner raised nearly $50,000 to benefit Zonta's philanthropic programs.

For more information about Zonta Club of SCV visit www.scvzonta.org.