Foam fingers, MBTA

Free "Beat LA" T-shirts might not be the only free swag fans can grab at tonight's NBA Finals opener at the TD Banknorth Garden.

Season ticket holders received emails Wednesday saying that, "The first 15,000 fans entering the arena for Game 1 will receive a free Celtics foam finger souvenir." Among the other notes in the email:

• Gates will open at 7:45 p.m. for each game. Premium doors will open at 7:00 p.m.

• Customers are advised that last trains on all lines from North station will be held on both Thurs., June 5 and Sun., June 8 to accommodate customers attending the two NBA Championship games being played at the TD Banknorth Garden.

  For Thursday, June 5: Trains on all lines will be held for 15 minutes following the conclusion of the game. An additional shuttle to Newburyport will also be offered on Thursday only. This shuttle will depart from Beverly following the arrival of train No. 145; the last train from North Station to Rockport.

  For Sunday, June 8: Trains on all lines will be held for 15 minutes following the conclusion of the game. There will be NO shuttle to Newburyport. Customers are advised to use Beverly Station, catching the last train from North Station to Rockport.

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In case you didn't see it in our Local News Updates, Kendrick Perkins is a new pitchman for the MBTA.

From the entry:

Kendrick Perkins is a man of few words, letting his rebounding and defensive tenacity do his talking as a 6-foot, 10-inch force in the low post for the Celtics.

That will change today at noon for MBTA riders who will hear Perk's voice every 30 minutes in a plug for the CharlieCard that will be broadcast throughout the subway system.

"As a center for the Boston Celtics, I've got to be fast," Perkins says in the announcement. "That's why I like the CharlieCard."

Go HERE to read more.