Places to Fuel Up with Diesel in the Cambridge Area

Our owner, Ezekiel, was kind enough to write this post about fueling up with diesel in Cambridge. This is great information for all of you who are moving yourselves and/or renting your own trucks.

image courtesy of whitfieldoil.com

There's a bunch of places to get diesel if you're running low while in the Cambridge area. Of course, prices are going to be cheaper at the big pilot stops on the highway, but here are some options if you're in a jam.

The Hess on Massachusetts Ave., westbound outside Porter Sq. (2055 Mass. Ave.), is easily accessible if you're heading westbound. The parking is a bit tight for tractor-trailers, but most straight jobs won't have a problem. They're usually the lowest prices in the area. Access to and from the eastbound lane however, is problematic.

Chico's Sunoco in Fresh Pond is moderately priced (not the best but not too bad) and is open 24 hours. They're located on Rte. 16 in Cambridge between the two Fresh Pond area rotaries. They have a good parking lot that's not too bad for pulling into and out of. Again, trailers might get a bit tight. They can usually fill tanks on both sides at the same time if you park just right. Their windshield washer fluid and squeegees are also usually in good shape, even in the winter.

There's also a Hess with diesel in Allston, right off of  Interstate 90 at the corner of Cambridge St. and North Harvard (219 Cambridge St. Allston). This has the easiest access to the pumps (good for any size truck) and is right by the 90 on ramp.

Why We Blog

image courtesy of financiallysmitten.com

Our main goal in blogging is to get information out to anyone looking for moving tips in general and for information specific to Intelligent Labor and Moving. We do our best to offer timely, educational posts on a variety of moving related topics.

Some Boston moving or Boston mover blogs I've found (using those search terms in Google) are little more than a way to use the latest top search terms to make their names come up first in the results. Its a good marketing strategy for sure, but not usually very on topic. Other blogs I've found using those same search terms have been very helpful and up-to-date. We strive to be the latter. We want people to be able to come to this blog and find information that will be helpful to them, whether they're using us for their Boston/Cambridge/Somerville/Arlington/New York City/etc move or not.

So far our most popular posts have been "What if My Furniture Doesn't Fit?" and "Parking in Towns That Don't Issue Moving Van Permits." We've covered a lot of other useful topics, too, but if there's ever anything that you feel we've missed and would like us to explain, please let us know. We strive to make the process of moving with us as transparent as possible and that's part of why the blog exists. Of course, anyone can also get in touch with us by phone at 617.864.0620 or by e-mail at help@intelligentlabor.com. We're happy to answer any questions you have.

Holiday Closings

image courtesy of freechristmaswallpapers.net

Just a head's up on our 2011 holiday schedule. Here are the days the company will be closed for business so everyone at ILAM can enjoy some egg nogg and well deserved rest:

Dec. 24th
Dec. 25th
Dec. 26th
Jan. 1st

Other than that we're open for business so give us a call or shoot us an e-mail if you need to move around the holidays (because the holidays are busy enough already, right?)

Occupy Boston

Parked at the camp.

Last night a few of us got the call from Occupy Boston that they needed some help getting goods out of Dewey Square before the midnight deadline. Ezekiel, our owner had previously volunteered our services if they should need it and they took us up on it.

We rolled down to Dewey in one of our big trucks and first helped them load up all the goods from the medical tent. Our truck wasn't anywhere close to full, but given the uncertainties inherent in the situation, no one at Occupy had anything else for us to take at that moment.

Loading medical supplies.

After we finished up with that load and we were heading back to the warehouse we got another call from an Occupier asking us to come back and help with some more goods, which we were happy to do. This time we loaded up all the clothing donations and brought them to an Occupier's so they can be sorted and donated appropriately.

We are so glad we were able to help. The people we interacted with last night, from the cops to the Occupy Boston members were wonderful to work with. The Occupiers were really thankful that we were able to help out and we were pleased to do so. Intelligent Labor and Moving is in the business of moving people in and around Boston, not in the business of politics. As a small business though, we appreciate individuals and small groups trying to create change and start a discussion. We like to help where we can, and showing up with a truck to help Occupy Boston was a small way to help and get involved.

WGBH Radio Spot and Discount

image courtesy of tunein.com

As of yesterday, our radio spot on 89.7 WGBH is up and running again. It will run Monday through Friday from now until March, so listen for it!

We're excited to continue working with WGBH in this way. Not only do people get to hear about our moving services on the radio, but we get to help support something we wholeheartedly believe in, public radio. It doesn't hurt that we already listen to the station, either!

This is also a good chance to remind everyone that as a WGBH sponsor we offer a discount to members. If you have a current WGBH membership card you are entitled to the discount. Its best to tell us about it beforehand so we can make sure the movers know about it. Just show them the card during your move and you get a discount.

Also, just another reminder to call Cambridge Lights for all of your tree delivery and holiday lights needs for the Boston area. Cambridge Lights will come with the tree, set it up and even decorate it for you if you'd like. They also do light installations, hang wreaths, etc.

Happy Thanksgiving and Some Updates/Reminders!

Image courtesy of theblogprof.blogspot.com

Its been a very busy November for us, for which we are very thankful. Its always nice to be busy, but particularly when your traditionally supposed to be slow. A big thanks to all of our customer not just in November but all year. We really do feel very appreciative every time someone chooses to entrust their move with us. Of course, we think we're the best moving company in Boston and we owe that to our customers and the best movers in Boston. Intelligent Labor would be nothing without our fantastic crew of guys, so add them to the list of things we're thankful for this holiday.

In observance of Thanksgiving the whole company has the day off. We won't be answering phones or checking e-mails and no one is going out on move jobs. The office will reopen on Friday.

Don't forget to Shift Your Shopping on Black Friday! You'll find some super gifts at your local, independent retailers.

Also, make sure to call or e-mail Cambridge Lights for all of your holiday decorating needs. December 1st is just next week, so get in touch now to book your tree delivery or holiday light installation!

In the season of giving (loaning in this case?) we're happy to see that some of our Kiva loans are already being paid back. Some of them are even in the double digits precentage-wise! Check out our profile page to check out those that we've loaned to.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Shift Your Shopping

Image courtesy of http://shiftyourshopping.org/2011

Cambridge Local First (CLF) is a fantastic organization we belong to that supports local independent businesses. The idea of CLF is that patronizing your locally owned shops, restaurants, acupuncturists, etc. helps create a strong, vital community and economy.

CLF is also part of a now national campaign called Shift Your Shopping, which started in Somerville and Cambridge in 2009. The idea is to spend your holiday money not at big box stores, but at the businesses owned and staffed by your neighbors and friends. Shopping thoughtfully online is also encouraged and the website gives a lot of great links and suggestions on how to go about it. We think its a great idea and we're so happy to see that its gone national this year.

You can follow both CLF and Shift Your Shopping on Facebook (we do!) to keep up-to-date on what's going on with both organizations. Spread the word!