I'd throw out the name of the guy in your area that has done many high price transactions with me in person...but I can't seem to reach him ... to get permission.
I'm pretty sure I know who you are talking about. If I'm right, then I've had several transactions with him myself. If you do get in contact with him and it's who I think it is, then you can ask him about me. He'll know me by my bitcointalk ID.