[0] UP & COMING.

North American Open Poetry Contest invites poets, published or not, to submit one original poem of no more than 20 lines, in any subject or style, to: The National Library of Poetry, 1 Poetry Plaza, Suite 19810, Owings Mills, MD 21117-6282. Entries are free and must be postmarked by Dec. 31. Over 250 poets will be awarded $48,000 in prizes. Every poem entered has a chance to be published in a hardbound anthology. A new contest opens Jan. 1. [phone].

Women at Work Career and Job Resource Center, Pasadena, invites clients to learn or upgrade skills and write their resumes on its new state-of-the-art computer lab, featuring Pentium computers with Windows95 and the latest software - Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and other programs. A copy machine, fax and laser printing capability are also offered. Schedules are flexible and fees are modest. Call [phone].

``Putting Your Talent To Work'' will be signed and discussed by author Peggy Van Pelt at 2 p.m. Jan. 4. Barnes & Noble bookstore, 1201 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica. [phone].

``Nutrition for Fitness Instructors,'' a 10-session UCLA Extension course required for the Certificate Program in Fitness Instruction, will stress the links between nutrition practices, health, disease and exercise performance, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 7-March 11 on the UCLA campus. Tuition: $240. Recommended prerequisite: a basic course in human biology or anatomy and physiology. [phone].

Free job training is being offered to low-income, unemployed San Fernando Valley residents ages 18-21 by the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA). Weekly orientations will be held beginning the week of Jan. 13 at West Valley Occupational Center, 6200 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. Books and other training materials and services are provided free of charge. Call Elaine Holzer at [phone], Ext. 235.

Hospitality industry job training, sponsored by Jewish Vocational Service and Marriott International, offers residents of Los Angeles County a free, six-week program of preparation, beginning Feb. 3, for entry-level jobs in hotels and restaurants. Each successful graduate is guaranteed a job offer with Marriott or another major hotel in Southern California. Orientation sessions for prospective trainees are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays through Jan. 21. Participants must be low-income Los Angeles County residents who are at least 22, eligible to work in the United States and fluent in English. Call [phone].