Hey Halifax, I guess NYC does things differently. (The Bastards.)
I do think reaching out for help is the right idea. Specifically, it sounds like you need a local guy to go by in person and try and set stuff up. The old fashioned way. There are quite a few NYC dudes, right? (MikeG you mentioned, but there is Raph, Chaos, Tex, Lupz... who am I forgetting?)
Or, I like the Toronto or Montreal option! (I know this next time around in Toronto I will stepup big time. Last time I wasn't really part of the community.)