You should update your profile from "hopelessly lost" and then you won't have to include your location every time you post.
There are a number of sources for queens. Someone in your local club may sell them, check the ads in the bee magazines, look around here for people's comments about queen suppliers.
As far as race, you need to decide what works best for you. If you're packed in tight with a lot of neighbors around who may be accepting but not super fond of bees, swarmy bees like carniolans or Russians may not be your best bet. If you have a big flow in the spring, but nothing through summer and fall, big layers like Italians will have to be fed to keep them from starving. Local survivors tend to be a good choice, since they're already acclimated to your climate.
There's no one perfect race of bees, just what works for you.