We recently were introduced to some fun and educational board games that have an 'eco' angle to them. Kvale Games has a whole line of games under its slogan of "good natured games."

So while we still have a bit of summer left for board games out on the patio and we think about fall/winter and more indoor fun, here are some of Kvale's cool sounding board games:

Bioviva -- The original Bioviva board game, the most recognized eco game of all time with 13 international awards. Combining tremendous fun with learning about science, nature and the environment, Bioviva is a popular game loved by many. Players travel the world laughing at some of nature's strangest scientific facts while learning to be environmentally friendly.  Age 8 and above.

Mission Antarctic -- Ever dreamt about taking part in an adventure? Leader of your team, you explore the Antarctic, searching for clues of the mythical Doctor Jonah Expedition that vanished 20 years ago. In the middle of the Polar region, you pursue your investigation, prove your agility and insight to overcome trials that confront you along the way.

At the throttle of a helicopter, face-to-face with a frozen beast, or surrounded by a colony of penguins, this exciting adventure game is loaded with lots of surprises. Contains hexagonal illustrated game board, 42 Expedition cards, 39 Challenge cards, and many other eco-friendlier components. For 2-6 players, ages 7 and above. 

My First 3 Nature Games -- Enjoyable adventures with animals in the form of dominoes, memory cards and an ancient board game. Leading children to the discovery of nature and helping to strengthen essential learning skills, all games are combined in a smaller 3-drawer storage box made of durable, recycled materials.

For 1 to 4 players, ages 3 and up, these games are the perfect pace and stimulation for younger ones.

In the spirit of the 2008 Summer Olympics we must write a little something about Chariots of Fire, the 1981 Best Picture Winner that has often been called the best film ever made about the Olympic Games.

In this magnificent film, two enthusiastic young runners, an English Jew named Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Christian Scotsman Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), meet at Cambridge University in 1919. The two form a rivalry, and after losing a race to Liddell, Abrahams hires trainer Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm) to help him better his opponent. The two runners soon become part of the 1924 British Olympic team, but it is not an easy path for either of them; Abrahams has to combat anti-Semitism, while Liddell finds his athletic career threatened by his dedication to the church.

This is a story about what drives people internally - what pushes them to excel or at least to make the attempt to do so. It is a story about personal and societal values, loyalty, faith, desire to be accepted in society and healthy competition without the utter selfishness that characterizes so much of the athletic endeavors of our day. Both characters are obsessed with running, addicted to it, and both are driven to win medals at the 1924 Paris Olympics. The two men are to compete under the flag of Great Britain, but neither is motivated by patriotism, or by any desire for personal glory. What galvanizes Abrahams and Liddell – in almost opposite ways – is religion.

Chariots of Fire is a story as timeless as the Olympics themselves and quite possibly the most spiritual sports movie ever made.

Rated PG with a runtime of 123 minutes. Read more about Chariots of Fire at IMDB.