The Brief 9/9: Urine Growth, Solar Fields, Jay-Z’s Benefit | Tonic

What Brief would be complete without a good rescue story? Today’s will have you saluting our country’s brave firefighters. Then keep on that track and see how Jay-Z is giving those cops and firemen heroes from 9/11 a proper tribute and a nice chunk of change. A shout-out to clever teachers and an odd dose of fertilizing fun (all in the name of a healthier earth, of course) add to the list of top headlines today. Without further ado, we’ve weeded out the dark stuff and delivered you the goods.

Teachers think outside the box and make a mega-dent in young people’s minds. The good kind of dent, don’t worry.

Love your planet? Tinkle on your tomatoes. Stop squirming — science says this homemade fertilizer is good for your garden and for the earth.

Mongolian solar field set to harness some serious sun power.

Self-serving? Perhaps. But even if Jay-Z’s sold-out fundraising event supporting 9/11 survivors — with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward the New York Police and Fire Widow’s & Children’s Benefit Fund — conveniently coincides with the release of his new record, his heart is still in the right place.

Brooklyn’s finest: Your rescue story of the day, courtesy of two brave firefighters.