Kimble owns Rainbow Celebrations and Incrediballoons in Loveland. Matching her skills as a balloon artist last month against more than 800 professional balloon artists from around the world, she won third place in the non-round balloon sculpture category at the International Balloon Arts Convention at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, Calif.

She competed against artists from 40 states and 35 countries from around the world.

"It is such an amazing honor to be recognized by the leaders in the industry,'' Kimble said. "The convention incorporates every aspect and anything you can do with a balloon. I had a chance to meet experts from around the world. I can't wait to apply what I have learned to my business.''

She said her sculpture of a man on a hot-air balloon took five hours to assemble on site.

"It took about 250 balloons,'' she said. "It is a man on the hot-air balloon, also showing a launching pad and the sun and stars around - all made of balloons.''

Kimble has been in business since 1998.

"I will do on-site balloon sculpting at parties or restaurants, etc.,'' she said. "I do anything pertaining to balloon art.''

Leadership graduate

A West Chester woman has completed the eight-month course at the Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute.

Chris Xeil Lyons graduated from the institute after completing studies in public speaking, politics and political campaigns.

"I am very proud of Chris Xeil's most recent accomplishment,'' said Betty Montgomery, state auditor and chair of the institute board. "She is an inspiration to many throughout the Butler County area.''

The course includes studies on state, local and federal government.

The final week of training was in Washington. Ken Starr, former special prosecutor, and administration officials addressed the institute.

The institute will begin its fifth class in September.

Applications are available through Ohio Republican Headquarters, c/o Kay Ayres, selection committee chair, telephone (614) 228-2481.

Remembering AIDS dead

The Early Prevention Intervention Project of the Central Community Health Board took a line from an African proverb to set the theme for its walk today.

It reads: "As Long as We Remember, They Live.''

The group has scheduled a "Walk of Remembrance,'' from 10 a.m. to noon today around Mirror Lake in Eden Park.

"We just want it to be a quiet remembrance of those who have died as a result of AIDS,'' said Liz Presley-Fields, director of the Early Prevention Intervention Project. "It is the planners' hope that the walk will not only be a tribute ... but also commitment to stem the tide of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.''

Event to focus on AIDS

The Cincinnati Chapter of the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati Young Professional Network will conduct a National Day of Service from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., today at Lakeside Lodge in Sharon Woods.

The group is partnering with the AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati (AVOC) in a project that aims at HIV/AIDS awareness and education, targeting African Americans between the ages of 15 and 40.

AVOC addresses the need for AIDS education and awareness.

Nearly 70 percent of its clients subsist with an annual income of $10,000 or less.

The Young Professional Network is made up of members ages 21 to 40. The mission of the Cincinnati Chapter is to link members with each other and with the Urban League.

The local chapter is one of 43 chapters of Young Professionals across the country.

"We will have a table at Lakeside Lodge, asking people to sign up to take the HIV/AIDS test,'' said Sharron Miller, vice president of Resource & Development for the league. "Young Professional Chapters across the country have been asked to participate in National Service Day. The Local chapter decided to piggyback with AVOC in the HIV/AIDS project.''