function in inc file not being found
thank you pobtastic, this is the answer:

within the .module file you put your hooks and shared functions. Usually in the callbacks, you get to declare 'file' to point to an include for your functions to reside in a nice separate place. See api.drupal.org/api/drupal/modules%21system%21system.api.php/… and api.drupal.org/api/drupal/modules%21system%21system.api.php/… –  Pobtastic 1 hour ago