We here at Splash!, and hopefully most of the rest of you along the Gulf coast, excitedly welcome the arrival of 2012 – despite anything you’ve heard about Mayan predictions.

The last year was chock-full of exciting developments around here, including new hotels, restaurants, partnerships and more. Why should this year be any different?

There’s no way of predicting exactly what will happen in 2012 – on Dec. 21 or any other day for that matter – but there are a few changes, or better yet, additions to the area and Splash! Magazine that are cause for celebration.

Mark O’Brien makes his return to the Panhandle print world

In the middle of 2011, long-time PNJ columnist Mark O’Brien was laid off, causing a stir in the Pensacola area.

With his usual wit, O’Brien posted the following on his Facebook page:

Coastal Paddle Co. owner Kevin Cook explains the differences between the various models of YOLO boards he carries at his new location in the Gulf Breeze WalMart shopping center. Scott Page/Splash! “Don’t weep for me, Pensacola. I just took a dip in the swimming pool and now am open to a new career. Any ideas? markobrien5001@gmail.com”

The Mayan calendar's “end date” of December 21, 2012 is believed by some to signal the end of one way of existence and the return of another, in which the serpent god Quetzalcoatl reigns anew, bringing with him a wholly new way of living.

January 2012 signals the beginning of a new era for Splash! Magazine, with the return of local literary “deity” O’Brien.

After over six months of keeping busy with various writing projects, O’Brien reappears to the Panhandle, bringing his O’Pinions to Splash! readers each month – making for a wholly new way of “Splashing.”

The rest of the best of what’s new on the Gulf coast in 2012

Two-thousand-eleven brought a host of new hotels, restaurants and fun destination spots to the Gulf coast, and 2012 will be no different. Here are a few of the great new additions the area will welcome this year.

¦ Community Maritime Park will open to the public: The anticipation of the new downtown development and the inaugural season of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball team has grown steadily over the last few years, as lawmakers, developers and investors ironed out the wrinkles for the Maritime Park.

This year, the wait ends, as the new stadium will be completed in February and host the area’s first Double-A baseball game in April. For more information about the team and stadium see related stories, photos on pages 7 and 16-17.

¦ Another Broken Egg opens in Pensacola: The breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant is expected to open in January. Another Broken Egg first opened in Mandeville, La. in 1994, and also has Panhandle locations in Destin and Sandestin.

¦ Innerlight to open surf shop on Pensacola Beach: The iconic local surf and skate shop, Innerlight, has purchased the Pensacola Beach Marina to be the future site of a new store, which is expected to be open for business in early 2012.

Innerlight owner J.B. Schluter, of Gulf Breeze, said the decision was one he and founder Yancy Spencer III had dreamed of for years. “It has been a dream of mine and Yancy’s (Spencer) to open a store on the beach for the last 10 years, or so,” Schluter said. “We’ve been waiting for the right location at a good price, and we think (the marina) is a great opportunity. We are all very, very excited.”

Schluter estimated that improvements to the exterior and interior of the building and landscaping would cost approximately $200,000. “We hope to close (on the sale) by the end of the year and begin the renovations immediately in January (2012),” he said in November 2011.

In addition to making the marina another Innerlight retail store, Schluter wants to partner with a local restaurateur to open a surfing themed eatery on the top floor of the building. If a partner cannot be found, Innerlight plans to remodel the space and use it for reception and dinner party rentals. Innerlight would also be in charge of leasing boat slips and booking charter fishing trips and leisure cruises out of the marina.

¦ Coastal Paddle Co. expands in Gulf Breeze: The area’s exclusive YOLO Board dealer in late December 2011 moved its retail services from its small 400-square foot store near the Pensacola Bay Bridge into a new 1,400-square foot location in what will be the new Walmart Market shopping center.

With retail sales moving to the new store, which was formerly The Framery, Coastal Paddle Co.’s original location on Pensacola Bay will offer excursion tours, paddle lessons and board rentals. Coastal Paddle Co. is riding the wave of growth generated by stand-up paddleboarding, which is the fastestgrowing water sport in the world.

¦ New President?: This is an election year, which is no surprise. What might be surprising, however, is that a local man has thrown his name into the political hat.

Howard Taylor, a resident of the Polynesian Islands subdivision in Gulf Breeze, says he’s the most qualified person to become the next leader of the free world. Taylor, a former ship builder most recently from Mississippi, says he is upset about the leadership from the capitol and that, when elected, he will bring a team of experts to plan our recovery. “My ideas will be improved so our nation will once again be the greatest nation and we will see our freedom return to us,” Taylor stated.

Taylor finished his formal education with a diploma from Spring Valley High School in Columbia, S.C., in 1974. From there, he attended USAF Technical Training School and took many courses to further his electrical career.

He currently has two “President Howard Taylor” Facebook pages to promote his campaign. Taylor only has six “Likes” between the two pages combined, compared to Republican hopeful Newt Gingrich’s more than 222,000 “Likes.” Chances seem slim that the Panhandle will boast the next leader of the free world in 2012.

Northwest Florida will, however, undoubtedly offer another great year of fun for those who live in and visit the area. Splash! will be there every step of the way to guide you to the best that the Gulf coast has to offer. We wish you and yours a happy, fun and sun-filled 2012.