As are many young filmmakers, Jason Hinkle is looking for a couple of things -- a distributor for his finished project, and money to make more.

Hinkle, 28, though, has an added obstacle in his bid to pursue his art, and that is what his current documentary is about. Titled "My Life," it is a 28-minute look at Hinkle's struggle with the neuromuscular disease Friedreich's Ataxia. The disorder affects Hinkle's mobility and ability to speak.

It came on in his early 20s, while he was pursuing degrees in history and visual and performing arts at Cal State San Marcos. Hinkle completed those degrees and also obtained a master of fine arts degree online from University of Bedford (England) last year.

The Escondido resident's documentary won the award of excellence in the 2004 Accolade Competition and top prize for Special Documentary at the Goldie Film Awards Festival.

"As a filmmaker, I like to submit work (to festivals) so other people can see it. I'm hoping to find a distributor," he said.

The video will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday in room 240 in the Arts Building at Cal State. Hinkle will be at the screening to talk about the disease and his movie.

Field trip: Take them out to the ballgame was the Saturday night motto for the Escondido Sunrise Rotary. The club expanded its annual baseball/barbecue outing to include 125 Camp Pendleton Marines and family members. About half had come back from service in Iraq, said club publicist Art McCullough. The group tailgated at Qualcomm Stadium before hopping on the trolley to Petco Park. The night included fireworks and a Padres victory, making it a great evening for all, McCullough said.

Diamond girl: Altrusa of Escondido didn't have to go far to find entertainment for its fifth annual Stems & Gems charity event on Saturday. Club member Cece Taylor and her three-women vocal group, The Violettes, had the crowd of 120 "clapping and rocking," said Gail Poindexter. Taylor did a solo rendition of the event's theme: "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend," before the grand prize drawing for a diamond pendant. Altrusa members weren't eligible for the prize, but Sue Banning can hope. Her boyfriend was the lucky winner.

People: Retired Principal Jan Boedeker left more than memories at Valley High School. Her contributions to the school, including a microwave and mini-refrigerator, paying for framing of graduate pictures, school awards and recognitions, buying T-shirts and providing the labor costs of painting staff bathrooms, were saluted at the last Escondido Union High School District meeting. … The former Downtown Business Association executive director, Suzanne Strassburger, has landed, temporarily. She is serving as the volunteer coordinator for Proposition P, the public safety bond in Escondido, while running a public relations/marketing business out of her home.

Contact staff columnist Jeff Frank at (760) 740-5419, fax (760) 745-3769 or jfrank@nctimes.com.