Need some suggestions (Local SEO) as always! :-)

I am thousands of miles from the local business I wish to optimise for Google. A most common part of a keyword, whichever that may be, I have realised over time is 'near me' at the end.

1> Do I just get the title tag, content evolving around that term as 'near me' Or 'near you', as the site is talking to a visitor here? Will it act the same way to get a truer picture of the rankings for that particular keyword?

2> Also, how do I check the ranking effectively sitting at such a distance? Especially, when no regular proxy server has access to that locale.