www.guitarcenter.com <----- there's probably one of these near you. Full of amateur and professional musicians who can't make a living with music, but nevertheless full of good advice, and will have lists of music teachers. Probably your best bet to buy your first guitar from, assuming they have people who can set your instrument up the right way.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ <------- a good place to buy online, but only if you are certain that you know what you want.

Check out several teachers, compare their ability to be patient and explain stuff. You will want a teacher with at least some formal training, so that he will be able to show you the correct fingering techniques & etc and not get you started off with a bunch of bad habits that you'll have to break later.

Expect to practice, practice, practice.
At least 30 minutes a day.